In January 2011, a meeting was held between GRO representatives from all three partner countries in order to discuss our current phase of development and plans for the 2011-12 financial year.  It was determined that due to the viability of transition at this time, the strength of Lesotho program personnel, and a desire to limit the Lesotho organizations’ reliance on foreign charitable funding, a full financial and programming transition will be carried out as of March 31^st 2011.

What does this transition mean?

As development workers wholly committed to sustainable social change we have always reinforced the idea that successful and appropriately motivated international development workers must primarily advocate for the termination of their own roles.  Empowering communities means fostering local leadership, supporting local initiative, and promoting local ownership.  The GRO movement, thanks to the support of our international donors and supporters and due mainly to the commitment and talents of GRO Lesotho personnel, has accomplished this.  While GRO volunteers will continue to support the GRO Lesotho operations team with technical advise and support – the time has come for GRO Lesotho to move toward full financial independence.  Therefore, as of March 31^st 2011 GRO Canada will no longer be pursuing private charitable funding on behalf of GRO Lesotho, instead, we will be focusing on securing long-term development grants and promoting the financial self-sufficiency of the social enterprise collectives.

Has G.R.O.’s work in Lesotho been successful?

Yes, this is our development success story. GRO was started in 2005 because all three of our founding members had developed strong relationships with Basotho community members who were struggling and needed someone to take notice.  Rather than providing a one-time charitable donation of money, clothes or food we decided to promote the development of a local initiative that could endure long after we had left Lesotho.

Since 2005, the Oatway Family Scholarship Fund has supported 26 high school students with all current graduates pursuing further education or training.  Our very first student, Tsepo Ramaema completed an international baccalaureate in Maseru and now works as a marketing manager for the national newspaper.  Other graduates are completing nursing, teaching, and accounting degrees.  The GRO team built upon this initiative through developing the Lesotho Educational Advancement Program (LEAP), the GRO Career Fair model and GRO Student Resource Center.  This program has received tremendous support from the Lesotho Ministry of Education, and is financially supported by the European Union, and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

In early 2006 Mamabula Selia-lia, an unemployed mother of two affected by HIV/AIDS, reached out to GRO.  An investment of $500 allowed her to start a small jewelry business, at first selling at local weddings and cultural events, and later to a few local retailers.  Over the past 5 years Mamabula’s business has developed into the GRO Artisan’s Collective for women affected by HIV/AIDS.  The Collective grew rapidly, expanding partnerships with other artisan groups and developing new eco-friendly product lines. The artisans added 7 new members, expanded their local retail and workshop, and the Queen of Lesotho has become a supporter by buying jewelry for her private collection.

GRO funding also provided support for the local GRO Grannies’ poultry facility.  Modest improvements to production facilities and focused business training have assisted the grandmothers in scaling up their business – where now a hired farm manager can raise up to 600 chickens for community benefit every five weeks.

Where once Jean Margaritis worked with local partners out of her living room and in open fields, GRO Lesotho now has a large community-based office, a 4×4 vehicle, and five full-time Basotho staff under the leadership of GRO Lesotho Programs Manager Rethabile Skundla and the local executive committee of local elders.

As the final phase of transition begins on March 31^st we are very pleased to move forward knowing that the GRO effort has demonstrated that international social development can work – and that hope and solidarity do transcend borders.

More Questions?  If you have any further questions related to the transition process or future of GRO Canada/USA please contact James White at director@grocanada.org.

James White

Co-Founder / Director

Global Relief Outreach

director@grocanada.org

G.R.O. Canada seeks to alleviate the impact of global poverty on vulnerable communities everywhere by supporting grassroots development initiatives that build livelihoods.  The movement began six years ago when James White (Canada), Jean Margaritis and Greg Felsen (USA) launched a fundraising effort to support orphaned students and families affected by HIV in Lesotho, southern Africa.  The effort began with $3,000 CAD donated by Sharon Oatway in honour of her parents (and James’ grandparents) - John and Alice Oatway - committed volunteers and advocates for positive social change.

What began as a small collaborative effort between families in Lesotho and Canada soon grew to include advocates in several countries, and as of 2010, registered organizations in Lesotho, Canada and the USA.  The initial investment of $3,000 in 2005 enabled the creation of The G.R.O. Foundation Lesotho (registered in 2007), which is now funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, The European Union, and includes two self-financing social-enterprise businesses.

Moving toward full financial and program transition has always been G.R.O’s objective. “As a development workers who are wholly committed to sustainable social change, we have always reinforced the idea that successful and appropriately motivated international development workers must primarily advocate for the termination of their own roles,” says James White, Director. “Empowering communities means fostering local leadership, supporting local initiative, and promoting local ownership.”

Canada and GRO USA volunteers will continue to support the GRO Lesotho operations team with technical advice and support. As of March 31^st 2011, GRO Canada will no longer be pursuing private charitable funding on behalf of GRO Lesotho. Instead, we will be focusing on securing long-term development grants and promoting the financial self-sufficiency of the social enterprise collectives.

“This is a very exciting time for us,” says Jean Margaritis, Director of Programs. “We have reached a stage where the strength of the Lesotho team, and a desire to limit reliance on foreign charitable funding, makes a full transition appropriate and possible. We are very proud of the accomplishments and aspirations of the Lesotho team and look forward to assisting them through the transition.”

The successes mentioned above would not have been possible without the support, trust and advice of our many international supporters.  We thank you for supporting GRO Lesotho’s success and growth over the past six years.  As the final phase of transition begins on March 31^st we are very pleased to move forward knowing that the GRO effort has demonstrated that international social development can work – and that hope and solidarity do transcend borders.

More Questions? If you have any further questions related to the transition process or future of GRO Canada please contact James White at director@grocanada.org.

James White

Co-Founder / Director

Global Relief Outreach

director@grocanada.org

On behalf of the G.R.O Foundation Lesotho, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Donors, CFLI, G.R.O Canada, GRO USA and European Union for their financial contributions towards the success  our programs. Another year has passed by and once again we have been blessed to see tremendous growth.

I would also like to further my sincere gratitude to the Lesotho Ministry of Education, our business partners both in Lesotho and overseas, G.R.O Canada and G.R.O Lesotho Volunteers for their unwavering support.

The G.R.O Lesotho wishes you all a wonderful and healthy New Year.

Best Regards,

Rethabile Skundla

The Lesotho Programs Manager

The G.R.O. Foundation Lesotho Programs Manager

All jewelry is 25% off until December 24, 2010.  We hope you love it as much as we love making it!

Visit us at Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/GROArtisans

(Abuti means ‘brother’ or ’son’ and Aussi means ’sister’ or ‘daughter’ in Sesotho)

Students of the Family Scholarship Fund at Molapo High School 2010

Why is the FSF program important for students?

Not only does it offer educational support and the sponsorship to needy and vulnerable students but also provide students empowerment and the learning opportunities.

How has being a GRO Scholar helped you in your studies? How has it helped at home?

Being a G.R.O. Scholar has helped in many ways. It has given us an opportunity to attend school, relate with others in a good way and we have learned skills such as making decisions and working as a team. As GRO Scholars we have also been helped in the family in a way of supporting with human needs such as groceries and clothes during the winter.

What is your favourite FSF activity?

Leadership clubs especially team work activities. This is the most favourite FSF activity; it doesn’t only provide a refreshing environment, but also a very good way to relax and be in an enjoyable atmosphere for students.

What do you hope to do after you finish secondary and graduate as a GRO Scholar?

We would like to do social work, accounting & engineering. These are the careers which advocate for the country’s development.

Aussi Marahaba

Abuti Tsoanyane

Abuti Kali

The women of the G.R.O. Artisans Collective have teamed with Etsy as their first international supplier with a beautiful collection of handcrafted and unique jewelry items. The pieces are made from a mix of locally sourced materials, such as mountain clay, prcupine quill, and cow horn, as well as upcycled products including glass bottles and paper products.

Until Thursday you can purchase any of these pieces for 20% off as part of the Giving Thanks Sale. This is one of the first chances many of you have had to purchase the jewelry that you have been asking so much about.

Give thanks this season with a gift of empowerment!

Gifts of Growth 2010 campaign launches today

G.R.O. Canada is proud to announce the launch of the Gifts of Growth 2010 campaign!

G.R.O.’s Gifts of Growth campaign aims to honour the important people in our lives by providing you the opportunity to create positive change in the world. You can make a donation to the international poverty reduction projects of G.R.O. in the name of your loved ones this holiday season.  For your gift of any amount we will deliver a beautiful card describing the gift you’ve chosen and the social impact it will make in the developing world.  This card can be sent to you directly or can be sent to the gift recipient with your name and personal message.

For Immediate Release: