A socially conscious group of local grandmothers and “grandothers” made headway in their efforts thanks to a sold-out event at the Mann Art Gallery on Saturday.
Accompanying a tea and musical performance by Men Folk, the crowd of about 100 people perused Kazuri brand jewelry that the local Grandmothers for Grandmothers chapter brought in for the Heart to Heart Tea for Africa.
“It started off as a little project someone thought would help women in need, and it has been growing,” chapter chair Monica Boyda said of the Kenya-based organization hat employs about 350 women.
“These people are paid a decent wage, health care – they’re very well looked after.”
By purchasing the jewelry through Grandmothers for Grandmothers, the women receive both their cut and the proceeds generated.
Event chair Beth Bodnar said that with this year’s event not only sold out, but with a waiting list of about 40 people wanting to get in, it’s possible they hold it again next year, but, perhaps over two days.
“We sold within three days of the Daily Herald article,” Boyda said, citing an article about the event that reporter KJ Dakin wrote for the Jan. 17 edition.
The Grandmothers for Grandmothers’ next big event will be their Sixth Annual Arioso Concert on April 20 at St. Mary High School.
Arioso is a local female vocal trio who perform a wide range of songs from the past few decades, from show tunes to Joni Mitchell.
Tickets are available for $15 at Beth’s Yarn Shop & Needle Craft Boutique at 909 Central Ave.
Grandmothers for Grandmothers is a Stephen Lewis Foundation effort that launched in 2006 in response to a crisis grandmothers face in Africa, wherein the AIDS epidemic has orphaned children, leaving them to their grandparents.
There are more than 240 groups across Canada, with Prince Albert’s currently boasting a membership of 33 grandmothers and “grandothers.”
