Stephen Lewis Foundation Helps AIDS Orphans in AfricaSuite 101
Jul 23, 2010
Canadians from coast-to-coast are taking a dare and joining the A Dare to Remember 2010 campaign to raise funds for AIDS orphans in Africa. Brandy Robertson is one of those Canadians. A Dare to Remember 2010, is a campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation in which proceeds will go to help community-based organizations in the sub-Saharan Africa to help turn the tide of the AIDS in Africa.
By Karen Stephenson
Stephen Lewis Foundation
The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) supports community-based organizations that are working to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. SLF supports:
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Women who are seriously ill.
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Orphans and other AIDS-affected children.
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Projects that unite women, men and children living with AIDS.
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Thousands of grandmothers who are caring for their orphaned grandchildren.
Grandmothers are single-handedly caring for millions of children orphaned by AIDS, sometimes as many as fifteen children in one household. These courageous grandparents have stood helpless as they watched their own children die of AIDS and now, are raising their grandchildren with little or no support.
Since 2003, the Stephen Lewis Foundation has funded over 300 projects in 15 countries.
Brandy Robertson
Brandy Robertson is a 26 year old Brandon, Manitoba resident who will graduate from Brandon University in May 2011, with a 4 year Honors BA. She was presented the Brandon University Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Community Service at the 2010 Convocation Ceremony. She also had the distinct honor of meeting Stephen Lewis.
Ms. Robertson took a dare to shave her head to raise funds. Not only will the A Dare to Remember campaign benefit, but so will children who suffer with cancer. Ms. Robertson will give her hair to Evelyn’s Wigs who makes wigs for children with cancer.
Suite 101 caught up with Brandy Robertson to find out what motivated her to take on such a worthy cause.
Suite101: What was the defining moment that you knew this was the cause to “take it all off for”?
BR: The moment I asked Stephen Lewis if I could have a photo taken with him and he responded: “Well, of course. That’s what I came here for.” He put his arm around me and that’s when I knew that this man and his cause was worth losing my hair.
Suite101: Since deciding on your dare, have you had second thoughts?
BR: Not at all. If anything, I am more motivated to do it with every donation I receive.
Suite101: What drives your desire to help others?
BR: That’s always a tough question to answer. I don’t really know, to be totally honest. I am an idealist and believe in the good in the world. My only hope is that others will see what I am doing and be motivated to work towards the change our world desperately needs to see.
For more information on the Stephen Lewis Foundation's A Dare to Remember 2010 campaign, please visit A Dare to Remember.