A quilt can be a powerful message.
That’s what the Golden Ears Gogos want to get across with their 20th-anniversary solidarity quilt display, which has been travelling across Canada for the past few weeks.
On Feb. 2, the Maple Ridge Public Library hosted the grand ceremony for the new display, which will remain in Maple Ridge until Feb. 7.
Several Golden Ears Gogos members were in attendance, along with members of Greater Van Gogos, Burnaby Gogos, City of Maple Ridge, and more than a dozen other people.
Golden Ears Gogos member Linda King explained that the quilt represents an effort to help vulnerable people in Africa for two decades.
“These works of art created by both Canadian and African grandmothers are on tour in our country because so many older Canadian women responded to the call made by Stephen Lewis and his daughter Alanna following a UN tour of duty assigned to Stephen at the height of the AIDS pandemic,” said King.
“The main quilt is the symbol of solidarity and an artistic triumph. A tribute to 20 years of work on behalf of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. It was stitched together with contributions from grandmothers across Canada and those in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa.”
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In addition to the large quilt, there is also a second smaller one that can be seen at the library, which King explained is an example of the resourcefulness of Gogos members.
“Because the members of all Gogos groups are never wasteful, a second quilt was created with remnants of the first one,” she said.
Anyone can feel free to stop by the library during open hours and admire the quilt, with King explaining that she hopes people will understand the message it conveys.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support in our communities, hopeful for a future free of AIDS, and determined to champion the health and human rights of our partners,” said King.
She also made sure to mention that anyone who shares their desire to help African grandmothers affected by AIDS can inquire about joining the local group.
“Golden Ears Gogos are proud to be 13 years into their supporting work. Please consider joining us. We always welcome new members.”
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The 20th-anniversary quilt will be on display at the Maple Ridge Public Library until Feb. 7, at which point both the big and small quilts will be carefully packed up and shipped off to Kamloops and other B.C. cities.
More information about the Golden Ears Gogos can be found at www.grandmotherscampaign.org.