Many of you know that 12 years ago this September I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. It was an incredible experience.
During my four-week Africa trip, I saw the poverty and in my heart I felt committed to do something. I visited the Catholic church there and with their support we worked together to develop a medical dispensary in a little village called Muungaro.
Over these last 11 years I have watched this dispensary develop and grow; it’s been something I have been very proud of. It has also been difficult and frustrating at times as I am a one-man show from here.
After much thought and prayer, I have decided to join forces with the Stephen Lewis Foundation and have joined the Victoria Grandmothers for Grandmothers Campaign, an organized group that works hard to support the inspiring transformation in sub-Saharan Africa, where community-based organizations, run by and for grandmothers, are working to turn the tide of HIV and AIDS.
Clinics, hospices, daycares and education are just a few of the benefits of these projects.
I am very excited to be part of this organization and I am reaching out to you all to support me in my fundraising goal.
I will be riding my bike with 29 others from Campbell River to Victoria Sept. 4-7. This will be a tough ride, but knowing all the money raised will go to a great cause will make this ride so much easier.
Being a grandmother of three boys under the age of five I would be heartbroken knowing what could happen to them if living in Africa; I truly believe we can make a difference.
To make a donation, you can log in to slf.akaraisin.com/GrandmothersPledges/maryhof scroll down (do not click the donate at the top of the page) till you see the
‘Donate Now’ button above the thermometer. Or go to our team page http://slf.akaraisin.com/GrandmothersPledges/VG4ACycle2014 and scroll down to find my name, click it and donate that way.
A cheque (made out to Mary Hof) or cash can be given to me or mailed to 1078 Cherry Point Rd., Cowichan Bay, B.C., V0R 1N2. My email is mhof126@gmail.com
Tax receipts are given for any donation over $20.