Lisle Grandmother Reaches Out to Grandmothers in Kenya

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Upendo Village is the benefit of a unique program that has empowered lives across the globe.  Developed by one woman who is a member of , Grandmothers to Grandmothers has emerged from a one-time idea to an entire program, which now has an international impact.

Launching in the spring of 2011, Donna Schreiber decided to make a difference by implementing a special program – one that she felt was identifiable among women, especially grandmothers. 

Her idea was to help the grandmothers of Upendo Village by raising much needed funds to support heroic efforts in caring for their orphaned grandchildren due to AIDS-related parental deaths.  These women provide hope and strength in an area of the world where there is often none.   After thoughtful planning, Schreiber invited her church to support the grandmothers of Kenya. 

“As a grandmother myself and one that identifies with other women my age, I wanted to create a program that gives strength to women in a culture where they aren’t allowed to be strong.”  The response was overwhelming from a simple bake sale held in May of last year. 

“More than $1,900 was raised from the bake sale at our church and another $1,500 was raised from a second bake sale in October for the grandmothers,” Schreiber said. 

“The response was amazing and we are planning on holding several events this year to further support the program.” 

The Grandmothers to Grandmothers program was such a huge success that a profile model has been established to demonstrate how the monies raised are used to empower these special grandmothers.  This program is an outstanding example of how grass roots efforts can have a worldwide impact.  Schreiber and her fellow parishioners are already planning 2012 events that will raise funds to support the grandmothers at Upendo Village in Kenya.  In conjunction with volunteers and leaders at Upendo Village, program guidelines have now been established so donors can clearly understand the power of their gifts.