When Stephen Lewis was the envoy to Africa on AIDS realized that the grandmothers of Africa were stepping into the empty shoes of people in the family and the communities who had died from AIDS. His foundation set up a campaign to connect Canadian grandmothers to African grandmothers.
Jean Altemeyer describes how Grands ‘n’ More in Winnipeg helps grandmothers in Africa to cope with the impact of AIDS on their families and communities.
More information; grandmotherscampaign.org
Lloyd Axworthy, recently appointed Chairman of CUSO International, outlines plans to develop projects with aboriginal organizations in Canada, and to involve aboriginal people as volunteers.
Link: CUSO International
John Evoy founded the Mens’ Sheds association in Ireland, where guys spend time together building things, fixing things, and chatting. He describes his experience, and how to start a mens’ shed in Canada.
More: Winnipeg men’s shed
Post secondary schools need experienced people to teach a wide variety of skills.
Debra Wutke, Program Manager for Business Management in the Continuing Education division of Red River College describes the paid and volunteer opportunities for retired people in her college:
Many retirees get satisfaction mentoring young people in their field; an ideal place to pass on your experience is at colleges and universities that hire skilled people on short-term contracts to teach continuing education students, and in some cases, full-time students as well. Alternatively, colleges often invite experienced people to volunteer as guest lecturers once in a term.
When Lyndsay Greene, author of You Could Live a Long Time, found that many experienced retirees had “worked” well past the end of their traditional careers. They said work — not necessarily paid work — provides purpose and social networks in retirement.
They emphasized that, in the post-career phase of work, you shouldn’t expect the same level of responsibility and authority as in your career.
When Lyndsay Greene, author of You Could Live a Long Time, asked experienced retirees how to make the most of retirement, they told her to be active doing what she enjoyed doing
They advised Lyndsay that, with limited time left, understand what you enjoy doing, and change course when you find yourself doing something you don`t enjoy.
Cuso International sends hundreds of skilled volunteers abroad on challenging assignments each year. About a third of those volunteers are retirees.
Uniterra sends 450 Canadian volunteers abroad, a quarter of them retired, or near retirement. Chris Eaton, CEO of WUSC, describes what to expect and how to apply for their international volunteering opportunities.
Every year, Cross-Cultural Solutions sends 2,500 people of all ages to their volunteering centres in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They offer a well structured experience allowing guests to experience living in the country and helping out as volunteers in social & educational roles. Alexandra Rabb describes the volunteer experience, how to get involved, and …
CESO offers skilled volunteering opportunities for Canadians at home and abroad.