Why the Transition?

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

Posted under Uncategorized

Toronto, Canada (1 March 2011) – In collaboration with the leadership and operations team of The G.R.O. Foundation Lesotho, GRO Canada is announcing a full transition for Lesotho programs to local personnel on March 31^st, 2011.

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

Posted under The Mission, The Movement, The Vision