Ottawa Grannies’ ride to aid grannies in Africa
The Grassroot Grannies might not qualify for the Tour de France, but the group is training for its own special challenge.
This September, the Grannies will embark on a 2 ½-day, 265-kilometre cycle trip to provide support for African grandmothers struggling to care for their grandchildren, orphaned by the HIVAIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
At the seventh-annual Ride to Turn the Tide on Sept. 7, 23 cyclists and four support personnel will set off from Stittsville for the ride. The majority of these grandmothers and grand-others are in their 60s and 70s. The eldest is 78.
What inspires these energetic grannies? It all started 10 years ago in Toronto, when the Stephen Lewis Foundation launched Grandmothers to Grandmothers, a campaign that raises money for African grandmothers caring for children orphaned by AIDS.
At that time, many members of the Kanata-based Grassroot Grannies were becoming grandmothers themselves and were retiring from professions such as teaching, nursing, physiotherapy and business. These women had time to reflect on the huge discrepancy between their lives and the challenges faced by African grandmothers. They believed they had the will and energy to do something about it.
Inspired by the Grandmothers campaign, 15 Ottawa women joined together to start Grassroot Grannies. Ten years later, they remain passionate. Three major fundraisers are organized by the grannies each year, including the Ride to Turn the Tide.
During the ride, the Grannies will share their enthusiasm with other grandmother groups along their route in communities including Almonte, Perth, Merrickville, Metcalfe and Ottawa.
Nancy Hough, co-ordinator of the ride, said she feels proud “so many groups are united in a single cause. Exceptional camaraderie exists not only among the cyclists and support people, but also between the Grassroot Grannies and the grannies who host us along the way.”
“We are welcomed warmly and fed delicious home-cooked meals by five wonderful groups,” said Grassroot Granny Agnes McIvor.
“I have signed up as a support person again and am looking forward to another wonderful experience this year.”
Each year, the cyclists find that riding these long distances becomes more and more of a challenge. But just thinking about the difficulties faced on a daily basis by the African grandmothers is enough to remind them that their discomforts are insignificant in comparison.
This year’s ride hopes to raise more than $50,000.
Each participant pays his or her own expenses, and all money donated goes directly to Grandmothers to Grandmothers.
Over the past six years, the ride has raised more than $265,000.
Each grandmothers group draws on its skills to fundraise — from golf tournaments to selling recycled art.
But there is a shared passion uniting the groups. These grandmothers believe in social justice and know their efforts have made — and will continue to make — a difference.
Over the past 10 years, African women have gained increased autonomy over their lives, and in turn are becoming community leaders.
This “grandmother power” has helped provide a basis for real change.
In the past few years, the Grassroot Grannies have had four of members visit Africa, to meet and interact with some of the grandmothers supported by the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
“I saw how grandmothers and their grandchildren are helped on a variety of levels, such as improved housing and bedding and income-generating programs,” said Stella Val, who travelled to Uganda.
“I met a grandmother called Edith who raised three grandchildren, who have since moved to the city. She was so happy to be provided with a new mattress and bedding, as she no longer has to sleep on the hard ground.”
For more information or to make a donation, please visit: www.grassrootgrannies.com.
Additionally, on Friday, Sept. 9 at 1:15 p.m., the Grassroot Grannies and friends will return for a “Welcome Home” event at the Bushtukah store on Richmond Road. The public is welcome to attend.