AfriGrandCaravan rolls into Nelson
By Nelson Daily Staff
It’s a Halloween treat with no trick.
On Sunday, Oct. 31 Nelson will be hosting some special visitors who have come a long way to share their stories.
Tsabile Victoria Simelane and granddaughter, Thandeka Carol Motsa, have traveled from their home in Swaziland to Western Canada as part of the AfriGrandCaravan, launched by the Stephen Lewis Foundation in St. John, Nfld., over one month ago.
Their travels to 40 communities across Canada will create a forum for the women to tell their stories, to share their strategies and talk about the challenges and triumphs in dealing with the ravages of AIDS in Africa.
The journey will be shared by grandmothers, young women and staff of the Stephen Lewis Foundation in Canada and will also offer Canadians of all ages an opportunity to be inspired by these stories to become more involved.
“Grandmothers and the young women face particular challenges and take on extraordinary roles and burdens in caring for their families,” said llana Landsberg-Lewis, executive director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
“Their susceptibility makes them an important group to listen to, learn from and support in defeating the (HIV/AIDS) pandemic.”
Tsabile Simelane, 56, is a grandmother taking care of 30 orphans in her community. She cared for her sister who died of AIDS and is now looking after six grandchildren in her home, two of whom are HIV positive.
She is a dynamic speaker who advocates for access to treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS. She is the chairperson of her community HIV/AIDS support group and conducts home visits to terminally ill clients, as well as working closely with the Swaziland Positive Living mobile clinic and support team.
She is accompanied by Thandeka, who at 19 is the head of a household where she provides care for her three younger brothers. At the age of 14, Thandeka cared for her ailing mother who died of AIDS in 2005.
Nelson Grans to Grans will be holding an open house at the Capitol Theatre from 2-4 p.m. on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 31. There will be opportunities to listen to, and speak with both women.
In addition, there will be entertainment provided by some of the musicians included on Grans to Grans recently released compilation CD, Nelson Sings for Africa. These include Heritage Harmony Barbershop Chorus, Julie Kerr and Craig Korth, Cheryl Hodge, Aspen Switzer and Jude Davison.
Admission is by donation.
