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Oomama `walks' the walk in Africa continued from p.6 "We just had to mention what we were doing. When you are involved in something like this people want to help," continued Holmes. Other successful fundraising events, included bringing Lewis, as the United Nations SecretaryGeneral's special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa from June 2001-06, to speak in Oakville again. Social entrepreneur Craig Kielburger also visited here in 2014 while best-selling author Barbara Coloroso did so in 2013. Another successful fundraiser is Oomama's participation in the virtual Canada-wide Stride to Turn the Tide walk, which launched in January. Oomama joined Bronte Grandmothers for Africa to present the walk that runs to June 11. An alternative to Oomama's traditional walk fundraiser, the Virtual Stride Walk encourages participants to register, buy pedometers or track the distance they walk using a smartphone app, keep a daily log of that distance until June 11 and collect pledges from family and friends. The grandmothers' groups hope the community will join them as they "virtually walk" from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Gaborone, Botswana, with stops at all the cities where the SLF partners with organizations to assist grandmothers and the children in their care. The cumulative distance is 10,254 kilometres. Wendy Merson, who is co-chairing the initiative with Sandra Milakovic, said, "Every step we take will honour the courage and extraordinary resolve of the African Grandmothers in the face of this horrendous epidemic. In sisterhood and solidarity, we will stride so that they can turn the tide of AIDS." Registration costs $25 and comes with a log booklet and a commemorative scarf designed by women in South Africa. To register, contact Wendy at nursewjm@gmail.com. Meanwhile, Oomama members have been reflecting on the past 10 years and how special it has been for them to work collectively, to raise funds, and to educate and raise awareness of the plight of African grandmothers. "In many ways, a lot of us feel we are privileged to be able to do this and that keeps us going and united. And we enjoy each other so much," said Bev LeFrancois, a long-time member. "It's an inspiring group of women," said Holmes. "And that's quite contagious. People who feel they can make a difference attract other similar people." Some Oomama members have also travelled to Swaziland, South Africa and Uganda to see how some grassroots projects have benefitted grandmothers there. Holmes said she came back from her visit to the areas in 2008 feeling positive about the difference their efforts have made and continue to make. "You come back with the feeling that things can change, that one person can make a difference. The more voices we hear, the more people that speak up, the more likely it is things can change for the better," she said. For more information about Oomama, visit www.oomama.org. -- submitted by Oomama 7 | Friday, May 6, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Established in 1997 Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School register for september 2016 Lower elementary program grades 1, 2, and 3 · Low teacher to student ratio · Enriched individualized curriculum · Enhanced French language instruction · Comprehensive Music and Physical Education programs A small school environment where all children thrive! 2379 trAfALgAr roAD, UNit 6 OAKVILLE · 905.257.5955 www.trms.ca admin@trms.ca GET THE ULTIMATE IN COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME! 3440 Fairview Street, Burlington Ontario L7N 2R5 Oakville: (905) 827-5585 Burlington: (905) 634-7701 Hamilton: (905) 544-2220 www.broomshvac.ca Save on Top Brands