Saturday, April 12 was a wonderful gathering of 140 ladies from different Grandmothers' groups across Ontario. This ORGR event was put on by the Oakville Grannies, Oomama and they did themselves proud. The venue was just the best, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School in Oakville.
The day started with registration and tea/coffee/juice and delicious muffins and fruit. Then we were treated to wonderful displays from different Grandmothers' groups. Everything from our beautiful art work by Theresa Randles, to stunning broaches, colourful dolls and monkeys, lovely plants etc.. As you can imagine we loaded up on these goodies, all supporting The Stephen Lewis Foundation.
We then proceeded to the Auditorium and were warmly welcomed by Carole Holmes of Oomama. Then followed very interesting updates on the Stephen Lewis Foundation, National Advocacy Steering Committee, Speakers Bureau (please visit www.stephenlewisfoundation.org for more information).
We then went to our respective choice of workshop: Planning a Successful Event; Managing Large & Small Meetings; Communications and Media Relations. Our teachers were all members of The Stephen Lewis Foundation and because they were so interesting many of us returned to the Cafeteria quite late for lunch. All agreed these workshops were very informative and enjoyable.
After a delicious lunch we returned to the Auditorium to hear from some of the 12 Grandmothers who had just returned from Africa. What followed was just a remarkable insight to their different views and what they saw, along with wonderful photos. A very warm thank you to: Carole Holmes. Norine Baron, Joan Turner, Paulette Pelletier-Kelly and Sue Cousineau for sharing their wonderful, heart-warming experiences with us.
After, we were separated into groups and joined by one of these grandmothers to answer our numerous questions. Very inspiring and enjoyable.
We met back in the Cafeteria for tea/coffee/juice more delicious desserts and a commentary by 4 grandmothers who observed and commented on the afternoon: We finished by singing the following African song:
gama lama khosi kasi malibongwe,
Igama lama khosi kasi malibongwe
Mailibongwe, malibongwe,
Malibongwe, malibongwe
Meaning : Praise be to Women
Just wonderful! We departed at 4 p.m.
A splendid day. It was truly wonderful to meet with the other grandmothers, knowing that we all shared the same passion to help our Grandmothers in Africa.
A huge Thank You to Oomama and St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School for sponsoring this great day.
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