The Ven. Barbara Clay, chair of the Greater Vancouver “Gogos”
On a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon September 7, the Greater Van Gogos ("grandmother" in Zulu), walked in support of African grandmothers. This event was sponsored by the National Advocacy Network of Canadian Grandmothers for Africa.
 
Canadian Grandmothers for Africa began just over two years ago through the Stephen Lewis Foundation. We have grown rapidly to over 200 groups of Canadian Grandmothers and Others, advocating and raising money for African Grandmothers caring for orphaned children.
 
So this year on Grandparents Day, the first Sunday after Labour Day, groups all across Canada organized events to demonstrate solidarity with the African Grandmothers who are raising an estimated 13 million children orphaned by AIDS, raise awareness of the pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, and advocate for government policies and actions that will effectively address the situation.
 
We want Canada to fulfill its international obligation and keep the promise made in 2004 to ease the way for generic drugs to get to developing countries, and to set a timetable for increasing its overseas development assistance to 0.7% of our national income.
 
Representatives from 15 grandmother groups and friends from the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast gathered at Canada Place to march to the Vancouver Art Gallery.
 
What a colourful sight it was with over 100 people walking from Canada Place carrying banners and placards calling out: "Keep Your Promises". Walkers ranged in age from 80 plus to toddlers. Many wore red shirts and scarves.
 
The march through downtown Vancouver drew dozens of grandmothers and supporters. (Elaine Munro photos)
Greater Van Gogos co-chair and retired Archdeacon Barbara Clay spoke with deep passion about the idea of the African orphans as part of our Global Village concept and how they will be part of the next generation making global decisions along with our grandchildren. It is through Barbara's commitment and efforts that the Greater Vangogos came into being in this city.
 
Kathleen Wallace-Dearing, another Anglican, set out in a clear, forceful manner what our goals and a petition are striving to achieve. The petition will be presented to Parliament next March 1, International Women's Day.
 
We hope that this Walk and Rally will become an annual event here in Vancouver and all across Canada. So we invite you to keep posted; write/visit your MPs and come join us next time. For more information or to offer help, please email: g-vangogos@hotmail.com or phone: 604-936-8245.