As HIV/AIDS ravages families and communities in Africa, grandmothers have emerged as the continent's unrecognized heroes. Surrounded by poverty, hunger and desolation, they care for children orphaned by AIDS, sometimes as many as ten to fifteen in one household. These incredibly strong and courageous women bury their own children and become parents again, calling on astonishing reserves of love and emotional resilience. But they do so with almost no support. Sub-Saharan Africa has overwhelming numbers of children orphaned by AIDS — an estimated 13 million, projected to reach 18-20 million by the year 2010. As the death rate accelerates, countries and communities simply cannot cope.

ABOUT THE STEPHEN LEWIS FOUNDATION

Grassroots projects are the focus of the Stephen Lewis Foundation — providing resources to small, front-line HIV/AIDS organizations that make tremendously effective use of comparatively small amounts of money. The Stephen Lewis Foundation is dedicated to easing the pain of AIDS in Africa by providing assistance to women, orphans, grandmothers and organizations of people living with HIV and AIDS in 14 countries.

They are deeply committed to applying 90% of contributions directly to their project work in Africa. They work very hard to keep their administrative costs as low as humanly possible.

Please consider donating to The Stephen Lewis Foudation online.  It's quick and easy to do and Canadians will get a tax receipt for any amount over $10.