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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 23, 2007 - 23 Founder of oomama speaks Monday Group seeks to help African grandmothers struggling to raise their grandchildren orphaned by AIDS How does a grandmother in Oakville help a grandmother in Africa who has been left to raise her orphaned grandchildren after her adult children die from AIDS? A group of Oakville women have done just that, forming oomama (grandmothers helping grandmothers). The group, whose membership now extends to Grimsby and Niagara, was organized to respond to African women, particularly grandmothers, who are caring for more than half of Africa's orphans whose numbers will escalate to 18 million in the next three years. Carole Holmes, founder and chair of oomama, will speak about this initiative at St. John's United Church on Monday, March 26 at 7.30 p.m. Her presentation is part of a public lecture series organized by St. John's Power of One Committee which believes just one person can make a difference in this world. Oomama is part of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign launched by the Stephen Lewis Foundation on March 7, 2006, on the eve of International Women's Day. The campaign seeks to raise awareness and mobilize support in Canada for Africa's grandmothers. Since the campaign's launch, more than 145 groups of Canadian grandmothers have taken up the call to action and together have raised over $800,000. The Stephen Lewis Foundation directs these funds to community level organizations in 14 sub-Saharan Africa countries that provide grandmothers with much-needed support, such as food, housing grants, fees for their grandchildren's school and grief counseling. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. St. John's United Church is at 262 Randall St. For more information call 905-845-0551. Reading | Writing | Math | Spelling | Grammar | French | Study Skills LITTLE READER INSIDE EVERY CHILD IS A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT. For every age, for every need, Oxford Learning has a program to help your child succeed! Diagnostic Assessments Individualized Programs Enrichment Programs Confidence & Motivation Pre-K to Grade 12 Better Grades Voted Best Learning Centre A better future for your child starts here! Contact us today for more information. www.oxfordlearning.com 1131 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville (905) 469-1929 380 Dundas St. E. Oakville (905) 257-1207 Maple Grove Village 511 Maple Grove Dr. Suite 2, Oakville (905) 849-4027 www.oakvillebeaver.com