When HIV/AIDS devastated whole communities in Africa, leaving many children orphaned when their parents died of the disease, it was grandmothers who stepped up and filled the gap, raising their grandchildren. Bound by their shared love for children and a profound concern about the effects of HIV/AIDS on the continent of Africa, grandmothers from Canada and other countries have united with African grandmothers, lending financial support when they can, but beyond that making meaningful connections so that grandmothers are empowered to speak for themselves and to advocate for their grandchildren. "Grandmothers have held communities together."