The Apple Route Grannies support the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF). Stephen Lewis is a former Canadian Ambassador to the UN. In 2003 in response to the AIDS crisis in Africa, Stephen Lewis and his daughter set up the SLF. Some countries have seen 30% population loss to AIDS, resulting in thousands of orphan kids to be looked after by their grandmothers.

 

This problem persists in Africa where they don't have the social network and support available in other countries like Canada.

 

The SLF raises funds and support grass roots organizations only, not government. These organizations that receive funds must meet certain criteria including having a board member with AIDS. 

 

There is still a significant stigma attached to having AIDS, that affects the children and grandmothers. They can be ostracized. There is a lot of sexual violence that contributes to the spread of the disease.

 

The SLF started a campaign - grandmothers to grandmothers to raise funds. There are 240 groups that raise funds in a variety of ways. ''We will not rest until they can rest."