Grandmothers stride to turn the tide

By Gail Boylan

The rhythm of African singing and drumming will reverberate through Centennial Square as grandmothers and grand others set out to stride 5 km along downtown streets on Saturday, June 9 at 11 a.m. 

Many of the walkers will sport colourful African scarves and kangas (some complete with "babies") as they walk the downtown streets in step with their African counterparts. 

This is the third annual Stride to Turn the Tide National Walk that will take place in communities across Canada. The Victoria Grandmothers for Africa group, Victoria's event sponsor, is hoping Victoria's walk will contribute substantially to the 2012 national goal of lifting the $700,000 raised in the first two years to well over the $1,000,000 mark.  The money will be distributed to African projects supported by the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Victoria's strong connection with Africa is well known and this event joins two local groups that support African projects.  Every year the Gettin Higher Choir has sung as the walkers set off wearing scarves specially made in South Africa for the national walk.  Last year the choir's co-director, Shivon Robinsong, took 22 of the stride scarves to Mozambique to share with a project that both the choir and the Stephen Lewis Foundation have supported.

Robinsong said, "When I met with a group of grandmothers in the small town of Sena in Mozambique I told them, 'These grandmothers in Canada know about you, they know about how many of your own children have died from HIV/AIDS, about how hard you, and so many grandmothers in African countries, are working to care for the children.'  The women were delighted to receive the scarves, and wore them proudly, clearly pleased to feel seen and acknowledged in their struggle."

Joan Wenman, organizer of this year's walk, said, "Last year's incredible 'round the world' journey of the 22 National Walk scarves is a powerful reminder of how connected we grandmothers are."

She said the walkers wear the scarves and kangas to show solidarity with the African Grandmothers who in their 50s, 60s and 70s are once again caring for babies, their grandchildren-children of their own offspring who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.  "We can only imagine the physical and emotional toll on these grandmothers, hence the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign motto: 'We will not rest until they can rest'."

Anyone wishing to join the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa stride walk team or sponsor a walker may do so by visiting .

Date: June 9, 2012

Location: Centennial Square

Walk Options: 5 km or less

Registration: 10 a.m. Walk: 11 a.m.

Registration Cost: $10. Participants receive an African scarf.

Performances: Gettin Higher Choir and Mufaro Marimba Ensemble

Additional Information: wenmanj@shaw.ca