We are very excited to bring you a Feature Q&A with an integral and inspirational figure in both the development and the future of The G.R.O. Foundation Lesotho. ‘Me Mapalesa Selialia is a founding member of the Grannies Poultry Association of Lisemeng II and an elected member of the G.R.O. Lesotho Executive Committee currently serving her second term as the Treasurer. We are very grateful to have ‘Me Mapalesa with us for this very special Q&A!

Why did you start the Grannies Poultry Project?

The project was started to raise chicks for sale, and the profits of which are reinvested into the project for the provision of social support to Beneficiaries.

How do the grannies help the community?

The Grannies help improve nutrition to vulnerable children, elderly and chronically ill. They also provide the home based care to chronically ill and for minor ailments:

• Supply food packages to the needy
• Treat minor aliments
• Sell fresh and tasty meat to the community at the affordable price.

Can you please explain what activities it takes to run the chicken coop each day?

• Check the chicks’ condition each time we enter the coop and record the findings when necessary. For example, check if the chicks are not ill.
• Clean the coop and change litters when the need arise.
• Clean troughs and give food and water to the chicks’ three times a day.

What does it mean to you yourself to be a strong part of G.R.O. Foundation?

It means that G.R.O. Foundation will never fail to support its projects; it will grow and spread to other districts or even countries. There are much of possibilities to achieve greater goals.

Why do you think it is important for people in Canada and the USA to support G.R.O. Foundation?

It is important so that G.R.O. Foundation will in turn continue to support, strengthen and empower social support systems under its care.

Posted under Notes from Lesotho

The G.R.O. CARE child daycare centre was started to assist mothers working in BEDCo (the small business compound that is home to the G.R.O. Artisans Collective and The G.R.O. Foundation Lesotho home offices) by offering low fee daily babysitting. When a mother drops here child off with ‘Me Rose, the G.R.O. Care babysitter, she can focus her energy on running her business. This initiative was developed to foster growth in the small business community to address the challenges faced by Basotho women running and engaged in small scale enterprise.

Posted under Notes from Lesotho

We are proud to recognize the contributions and selflessness of G.R.O. volunteer and all around amazing individual Aric Rankin!  As a recognized CBC Champion of Change Aric has dedicated himself to both national and international work and has volunteered throughout the world most recently with the Canadian Medical  Assistance Teams administering disaster relief following the devastating earthquake in Haiti earlier this year. On behalf of G.R.O. Canada and The G.R.O. Foundation Lesotho - Thank you, Aric!

Aric Rankin

Age: 28

Volunteers in: Leogane, Haiti; Leribe, Lesotho; London, Ontario

Category: International: Health & Wellness

Organizations:Canadian Medical Assistance Teams, Disaster relief in Haiti post earthquake (Jan.-Feb. 2010)Ontario Hospital Association, OHAfrica, Tsepong Clinic, Kingdom of Lesotho (May-Aug. 2009)G.R.O. Foundation, Leribe, Kingdom of Lesotho (July-Aug. 2009)

How long has candidate been involved in their current volunteer work?More than 10 years

How frequently do they volunteer?5 -10 hours a week

Why candidate is an outstanding volunteerAric doesn’t just volunteer, he lives volunteerism. He inspires and builds capacity in other volunteers then recognizes their accomplishments. He has international experience working as a nurse fighting HIV/AIDS and TB in the Kingdom of Lesotho May-August 2009, and with the first disaster response team for the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti January 2010. Aric gives continuously, also finding time to be chapter president of RNAO and a professional member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

How many people does your candidate’s volunteerism impact?More than 100 people

Why your candidate became involved with volunteeringAric began volunteering young and achieved the Chief Scout award. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 16, he became more involved by sharing his experiences and coping strategies with other IBD patients. In 2005 he first exhibited self-direction in international volunteerism after witnessing the state of the education system while on vacation in Fiji. Aric pioneered health education and coordinated supply donations, stating we can’t help everyone, but in helping someone, we can never fail.

Awards candidate has received in the past for volunteer work.Registered Nursing Association of Ontario (RNAO) Certificate of Distinction Award, 2010University of Windsor Odyssey Award, 2010

Visit Aric’s CBC Champions of Change page

Posted under The Movement