Barbara Fear, Alice DeLa Plante and Gesina Laird-Buchanan write ...
Dear Stephen Lewis Foundation
Because we can no longer stand by and take no action, two friends – Alice DeLa Plante and Gesina Laird-Buchanan – and I wish to begin a women’s movement: HELPING HANDS – Women, for Women in Africa. This, in support of Mr. Lewis’ unceasing fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic sweeping Africa that is decimating the women and their families.
We have adopted HELPING HANDS to symbolize extending our hands to these women in distress with loving care and tenderness. “Women, for Women in Africa” is primarily concerned with the helplessness of African women in the face of the cultural and sexual domination of men. It is vital that women and families be protected by increased medical treatment against the terrible effects of HIV/AIDS in order that they may find a sense of control and dignity in their place in the world. According to your recent newsletter, you are doing remarkable work in these areas. We would like to help.
Because of the mind-boggling extent of this catastrophe, we know that the road ahead is long and challenging. So in order to continue to support you further, we are inviting Canadian women to send a signed outline of one of their hands with a brief message on it (with a cheque, if desired) to the Foundation. We do not wish to collect funds of any kind, but wish donors to deal directly with you. We enclose our three outlined hands and their messages for you to illustrate what we mean. We would also suggest that their message on the hand express their wholehearted support for and encouragement to Mr. Lewis.
This is not primarily a fundraising campaign but a call to action to Canadian women to respond to the needs of women in Africa, stricken with the HIV/AIDS plague. It is our way of symbolically extending a hand to those women and their families as they fight to survive and somehow live a normal life, free of fear and violence and death.
Very Sincerely,
Barbara Fear, Alice DeLa Plante and Gesina Laird-Buchanan