“A wonderful, thought-provoking experience,” said Laurie Wilson, a member of Victoria Grandmothers for Africa.

In May 2025, at a pivotal moment as the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign approached its 20th anniversary in 2026, Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) partners in Eswatini and South Africa connected with visitors from Canada on a Grandmothers United in Solidarity trip. SLF staff who supported the visits with 10 SLF partner organizations travelled using Aeroplan points. There, the group met with HIV leaders, advocates and community members. They heard first-hand what makes local responses to HIV so effective, new challenges communities face, and how they are best positioned to address them. 

16 Canadian Campaign members took part in this Grandmothers United in Solidarity trip. Each participant has committed to sharing what they learned through presentations in communities across Canada — raising awareness about the ongoing HIV epidemic, its root causes and the leadership of grassroots organizations at the forefront of the response.