“The tremendous sophistication and collaborative work that goes on in communities, which are under siege, they’re desperately impoverished, and the backbone of all of that are the women of Africa.” – Stephen Lewis
Courtesy: SLF.
UBUNTU Niagara is a group of like-minded people who promote and support the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) toward the eradication of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
UBUNTU Niagara grew out of the healing and meditation group at the former St. Andrews United Church in Port Dalhousie (St. Catharines, Ontario). Over time, many people shared the sense of ‘ubuntu’ through prayer, music, and meditation.
Three people – Agnes Liles, Gloria Simon-Gould, and the late Agnes Atwell – wanted to do more in response to an appeal by the late Stephen Lewis. They invited Laura Thomas, the artistic director of WomenChant Chrorus, to help in producing a fundraising event for the Stephen Lewis Foundation [LINK]. This collaboration produced a World AIDS Day concert by WomenChant Chrous in 2008.
Source: UNAIDS.
Since then, the event has taken place annually. Each year the amount of money raised has increased, encouraging the producers to continue the work. During the COVID pandemic, UBUNTU Niagara continued fundraising successfully by appealing to our followers to donate dollars directly to the Foundation.
UBUNTU Niagara continues to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation [LINK] to support their work with African partners who are on the front lines of the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Through fundraising, we work to include the Niagara community in creating awareness and understanding of the plight of the people in Africa who’s lives, families, and communities are devastated by the disease. The future may hold circumstances which challenge our commitment, but our efforts to support the tireless, selfless, dedicated work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation [LINK] will persist.
Courtesy: SLF.
UBUNTU Niagara is open to all who wish to participate, bringing the spirit of ‘ubuntu’. This website was founded on the passing of Stephen Lewis — to commemorate his life, contributions to society, and to bring UBUNTU Niagara to the internet.
Organizers
UBUNTU Niagara organizers are Agnes Liles (Co-Founder and Chair), Caroline Misener, and Mau’veen Dayrell-Johnson. Former organizers include Gloria Simon-Gould and (the late) Agnes Atwell.
You can reach out to UBUNTU Niagara [HERE].