How can you help ?

• Actively fundraise
• Lend your expertise and skill
• Make a financial contribution
• Spread the word and join us

Our current fundraiser is the making and sewing of these beautiful tote bags (and we are sometimes fondly referred to as the "bag ladies"). A similar group on the coast, had great success with these totes and granted us permission to make and sell them in the Okanagan Valley. All bags are lovingly made by our volunteers, sell for $40 with 100% of proceeds going to GECHAAN. Kelowna Gifts to Grandmothers is open to all kinds of fundraising ideas and we would love to hear from you.

Currently we are working to raise funds for three ladies, submitted to us by the the Helwigs as written below.

There are three names of grandmothers that are in the most need as this time.

Lydia Genesis: Lydia has been a widow for a number of years. As is the custom ( we are trying to change this custom, but that does take time ) Lydia was thrown out of her husband's house and sent to her relatives to live. The only place they would allow her to live was a house that needs repair and a grass roof. She once told Zachariah Yeiju, our Director of Family Care, that dogs have a better place to live than she does. Zach went to see her house and he came back with the report that she was correct. Every year she tries to repair her roof, but with going to the farm every day to provide food for her grandchildren, it has become harder and harder for her to do so. Lydia will be part of the grant money project that we have. She will get money for school fees, food and clothing for her four grandchildren, but the grant does not provide money to build any building. What she needs is about $3,000 so that a new house can be built for her with a zinc roof. We might be able to do the building for $2,500 if we can find cheaper land.

Asabe Isa: Asabe is a Muslim grandmother. She has 3 grandchildren that she is caring for. She does not have a place of her own either so she is dependent on relatives to provide for her. She has spent many years patiently caring for her HIV positive daughter and with her daughter, her daughter's three children. Because she is in a village, her house would be between $2,000 and $2,500. The interesting part of this story is that Asabe felt accepted by us. More and more Muslims feel our center is for them because we show compassion.

Mary David: She is just new. Her daughter died shortly after delivering twins. We are just getting to know her situation. Right now we are only helping with formula. We will write more when we find out.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for caring for these grandmothers. They feel overwhelmed with the burden of caring for children at their age. They are working so hard to feed themselves and their children.