Welcome to Grandmothers Partnering with Africa

About Us

message from the stephen lewis foundation

As 2025 comes to a close, we are reflecting on what has carried us through a challenging year. The consequences of funding cuts for global health and HIV are deeply harmful for the communities our partners serve. Yet, even as uncertainty hangs in the air, our partners remain steadfast.The knowledge
and expertise they bring from decades of responding to one of the greatest health emergencies in history cannot be taken away. Their courage and commitment continues to drive gains toward ending AIDS.

One thing has remained constant for 20 years the compassion and the leadership of grandmothers and grandothers. Your love, determination and belief in this work continue to make an extraordinary difference especially in a year like 2025.

How it works:

The Stephen Lewis Foundation works with community-based organizations in sub-Saharan Africa and has contributed to the urgent needs of the communities as well contributing significantly to turning the tide of HIV & AIDS in Africa.

In 2006 it launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers. Since then more than $45 million has been raised in support of African grandmothers!

African grandmothers are central to the life of their communities. They are caring for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. They display astonishing reserves of love, courage and resilience, even while grieving the loss of their own adult children.

Grandmothers Partnering with Africa is proud to be part of this Campaign and to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Other Grandmother Groups

We often work as partners with other grandmothers groups in the GTA. We may have different fundraising projects & products but we always have the shared goal of supporting the SLF. Feel free to visit & support these Groups.

SLF Impact

The SLF’s work is grounded in our firm belief that the expertise needed to end the HIV epidemic is found at the community level, but sufficient funding for community-led organizations is not. Since the SLF was established in 2003, we have channelled resources directly, reliably, and accountably to our partners. Through their work, they are cutting the HIV epidemic off at its roots in Africa.

Our SLF partners have taught us that to measure the full impact of responses to HIV and AIDS, we need to understand what success looks like over the long term, for individuals, families, and communities. While lasting change is better understood through the testimonies and experiences of communities, it is clear that our grassroots partners’ reach is tangibly changing the lives of individuals affected by HIV and AIDS.

SLF partners made remarkable impact in their communities

last year. Some highlights are:

2.1 million

accessed critical services for HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health and rights

650,000+

received health care services, including home-based care and mental health support.

67,000+

people living with and affected by HIV gained income-generating skills and financial literacy to improve their economic well-being.

62,000+

children and young people, with a focus on girls, received educational support.

466,000

accessed protection, like legal support and safe spaces, including survivors of gender-based violence.

711,000+

were reached through advocacy for the rights of LGBTIQ communities and disadvantaged groups.

7,500+

grandmothers, supported by 94% of SLF partners, mobilized to participate in local governance, awareness and advocacy activities.

86,000+

reached through programs to increase climate resilience and improve food and income security and the impact on women and girls.

“It’s so amazing, because the big organizations cannot reach the local level, but we are here and we are with the community. We are hands on. Even during lockdown, we can carry on supporting the community. Thank you for understanding us. Without your method of support, this community would be suffering a lot.”

— Sthembile Ndlovu, Director at Izimbali Zesizwe, an SLF partner in South Africa