John Graham Memorial Fund
Donation protected
John Graham, humanitarian and advocate, passed away on May 25th after a fierce but short battle with cancer. Many called John a 'lion of a man' whose lifetime commitment to avoiding famine and its impact - particularly in Ethiopia - inspired many across the globe. He was a thought leader who led international dialogue on pastoralism, resilience and the importance of political and organizational collaboration.
As one colleague and close friend said (people in John's life were never just colleagues): "He was a tireless worker and had a strong sense of justice for the poor. He played a lead role in galvanizing the international response to the El Nino drought of 2015-2016 that could have resulted in famine in Ethiopia. He worked the embassies, the media, he traveled to foreign capitals - he was an inspiration to many. I think what drove him was simply the idea that this was his watch and this drought was not going to become a famine in which lots of people die on his watch."
John's love for Ethiopia led his to write two wonderful books "Ethiopia: Off the Beaten Trail" and "Discovery in Ethiopia".
After 25 years in Africa - Namibia and Ethiopia - John and his wife of 35 years, Gillian Brewin, returned to Canada to join their two grown children, both of whom have settled in Toronto. Despite plans to reflect, write and continue his relationship with Save the Children in advancing a
resilience agenda, John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2017, succumbing to the disease in May.
This memorial fund will go to the causes John cared about. Gillian, Danielle and Iain will make decisions about how to allocate the funds and share that decision with you in the coming weeks. The possibilities include:
a) A long term foundation in his name that will contribute to thinking and action that supports John's vision;
b) A scholarship fund for Ethiopians working on resilience and other topics John cared about;
c) Think tank work on post-capitalism and the changing economy;
d) Research and care related to pancreatic cancer;
e) Contributions to Save the Children - possibly as a special fund related to John's life and career.
Articles by and about John and his work:
John on the ElNino famine: https://bit.ly/1Xauytu
A Canadian Effort in Ethiopia: https://bit.ly/2GTm0Go
Save the Children says goodbye when John leaves Addis: https://bit.ly/2JacWSp
Note: To share photos, tributes, and connect with others about John, please go to a legacy page that the family has created at john-richard-graham.forevermissed.com
As one colleague and close friend said (people in John's life were never just colleagues): "He was a tireless worker and had a strong sense of justice for the poor. He played a lead role in galvanizing the international response to the El Nino drought of 2015-2016 that could have resulted in famine in Ethiopia. He worked the embassies, the media, he traveled to foreign capitals - he was an inspiration to many. I think what drove him was simply the idea that this was his watch and this drought was not going to become a famine in which lots of people die on his watch."
John's love for Ethiopia led his to write two wonderful books "Ethiopia: Off the Beaten Trail" and "Discovery in Ethiopia".
After 25 years in Africa - Namibia and Ethiopia - John and his wife of 35 years, Gillian Brewin, returned to Canada to join their two grown children, both of whom have settled in Toronto. Despite plans to reflect, write and continue his relationship with Save the Children in advancing a
resilience agenda, John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2017, succumbing to the disease in May.
This memorial fund will go to the causes John cared about. Gillian, Danielle and Iain will make decisions about how to allocate the funds and share that decision with you in the coming weeks. The possibilities include:
a) A long term foundation in his name that will contribute to thinking and action that supports John's vision;
b) A scholarship fund for Ethiopians working on resilience and other topics John cared about;
c) Think tank work on post-capitalism and the changing economy;
d) Research and care related to pancreatic cancer;
e) Contributions to Save the Children - possibly as a special fund related to John's life and career.
Articles by and about John and his work:
John on the ElNino famine: https://bit.ly/1Xauytu
A Canadian Effort in Ethiopia: https://bit.ly/2GTm0Go
Save the Children says goodbye when John leaves Addis: https://bit.ly/2JacWSp
Note: To share photos, tributes, and connect with others about John, please go to a legacy page that the family has created at john-richard-graham.forevermissed.com
Organizer and beneficiary
Alison Brewin
Organizer
Vancouver, BC
Gillian Brewin
Beneficiary
