Who We Are

2022 Virtual Ride Launch

27 riders met at Mile 0 on Saturday August 13 and road to Clover Point to launch the 2022 Virtual Ride. Altogether, 48 women aged 55 and better are registered. Each has committed to ride a distance that's personally challenging before the end of the ride on September 9. Kilometres will be totalled each week and the distance plotted on a map of Africa as the riders travel virtually, "visiting" Community Based Organizations, our partners, on the way. Check out Stories from Africa for more news of CBOs

Photo courtesy Jane Player

The Real Cause of HIV is Inequality

Click to read this Toronto Star article

In the days leading up to the 24th International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Meg French, executive Director of the SLF, discusses reasons that the HIV and AIDS pandemic is not over. Read about the courageous steps taken by Phylis Wanjira in Kenya. "She has proudly shed the shame she felt from her diagnosis. She runs a business, is a volunteer community health worker and leads support groups for people living with HIV. She represents the best possible outcome of the HIV response: an empowered, healthy and strong woman who is working with her community for equality and transformative change."

I am sorry to share the news that long time VG4A member, Myrtle Schmidt, passed away on July 29. She was surrounded by family and her daughter shared with Orleen that "the morning was full of tender moments, fond memories and an intelligent woman who was determined to go in her own way". She also added "Thanks for all the lovely memories with all the grandmothers". Myrtle was a devoted member of the Sales and Crafts group and will be remembered affectionately by many of us. Bonnie

Here is the obituary from the Times Colonist.

The lovely photo of Myrtle from earlier this month is provided by Orleen.

Featured Community-Based Organization (CBO) of the month

The SLF and Twavwane School have worked together since 2010 in the areas of girls’ education, economic empowerment, SRHR (sexual and reproductive health rights), gender-based violence, and support for people living with HIV & AIDS. Twavwane is a community-based organization, managed by a board of directors consisting of community leaders from various sectors, in a poor sector of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.

Twavwane School was thrilled to receive a $50,000 grant from “60 million girls” for a significant project that got started in 2021. This project will directly support 50 adolescent girls and 20 adolescent boys between grades 8 through 12, as the school grows to include secondary education. In addition, it will indirectly support the 625 students a year who will benefit from the improved school facilities: an additional classroom block that will contain a strong room, an examination centre, and a computer and science laboratory. Read all about it here: 60millionsdefilles.org/en/our-projects/2021-zambia/.