About us
In August 2006, 200 grandmothers from Canada and 100 grandmothers from Africa gathered for 3 days in Toronto on the eve of the 16th International AIDS Conference. Together they produced The Toronto Statement, a summary of discussions held over the course of the Gathering, and a view to the future: "the dawn of the grandmothers' movement".
Today, the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign is supported by more than 160 grandmother and grand "other" groups across the county who vow that: "We shall not rest until they can rest" (Toronto, 2006)
Who are we? We are grandmothers and "grand-others" from the Kitchener -Waterloo community who have been inspired to work with the grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 2008, OMAS SISKONA (= Grandmothers together) of KW currently has over 100 active members, over 60 Friends, and is open to anyone from the community. While all our members are volunteers, we strive for active participation in decision-making, working groups and sharing ideas. Everyone is encouraged to participate at her comfort level and we value every contribution.
There are no membership fees. Funds for operating expenses are collected on a voluntary basis at our regular meetings.
When, Where and Why we meet? We meet monthly (the 3rd Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon) except in July and August. Usual attendance 50 to 60 members
Christ Lutheran Church
445 Anndale Road
Waterloo, ON (near Lexington and Davenport)
(519) 885-4050
We hold meetings to increase our awareness and understanding of the issues facing our sisters in Africa, invite key speakers and discuss information coming from the SLF and grassroots projects in Africa.
Today, the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign is supported by more than 160 grandmother and grand "other" groups across the county who vow that: "We shall not rest until they can rest" (Toronto, 2006)
Who are we? We are grandmothers and "grand-others" from the Kitchener -Waterloo community who have been inspired to work with the grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 2008, OMAS SISKONA (= Grandmothers together) of KW currently has over 100 active members, over 60 Friends, and is open to anyone from the community. While all our members are volunteers, we strive for active participation in decision-making, working groups and sharing ideas. Everyone is encouraged to participate at her comfort level and we value every contribution.
There are no membership fees. Funds for operating expenses are collected on a voluntary basis at our regular meetings.
When, Where and Why we meet? We meet monthly (the 3rd Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon) except in July and August. Usual attendance 50 to 60 members
Christ Lutheran Church
445 Anndale Road
Waterloo, ON (near Lexington and Davenport)
(519) 885-4050
We hold meetings to increase our awareness and understanding of the issues facing our sisters in Africa, invite key speakers and discuss information coming from the SLF and grassroots projects in Africa.
OMAS SISKONA of KW
* OMAS SISKONA = Grandmothers together.
The Stephen Lewis Foundation launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign in March 2006, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of grandchildren orphaned by AIDS. What began with only a few groups of committed Canadian grandmothers has since evolved into a dynamic and responsive movement working to mobilize support in Canada for Africa's grandmothers.
OMAS SISKONA* of KW is one of 160 grandmothers groups in Canada and around the world partnering with their African sisters to "turn the tide" of the AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since our launch in 2008, OMAS has raised $877,927 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation which in turn partners with community-based organizations to provide care and support to women, orphaned children, grandmothers and people living with HIV and AIDS.
With about 120 members and many "friends", OMAS meet monthly to plan fundraising events, educate ourselves through invited speakers and DVD presentations, make presentations ourselves on SLF projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, speak to local community and church groups, and advocate for our sisters in Africa. Mostly we enjoy a wonderful solidarity with each other and with our sisters in Africa by working together and having FUN!!!
WE SHALL NOT REST UNTIL OUR SISTERS IN AFRICA CAN REST
With about 120 members and many "friends", OMAS meet monthly to plan fundraising events, educate ourselves through invited speakers and DVD presentations, make presentations ourselves on SLF projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, speak to local community and church groups, and advocate for our sisters in Africa. Mostly we enjoy a wonderful solidarity with each other and with our sisters in Africa by working together and having FUN!!!
WE SHALL NOT REST UNTIL OUR SISTERS IN AFRICA CAN REST
OMAS SISKONA of KW 2016