Staff members, including the ones pictured here, were the real stars of our 16th camp, which took place this past September/October. They worked together as one, in a spirit of joyful cooperation, providing the 127 girls who attended this camp with an exceedingly happy experience.
The cohesiveness of the staff marks an evolutionary development for WorldCamps. We recognized the need for bonding among staff members and had the good fortune to find a skilled professional to be the bonding agent. Gabrielle Raill, Director of Camp Ouareau in Canada, engaged the staff members in a powerful exercise, along with her staff member Rhianna Walz of Australia.
Our three trainers – Jackie, Mellowman, and Phumlani, have formed a dynamite staff training group. They sense what is needed and how to meet the need while simultaneously having fun.
A testament to this came from a former staff member, Ntzike, who was present the weekend of staff training. Having found a full-time job, she was unable to return as assistant director but feeling “campsick,” she came for the weekend. Seeing the way the women staff were cooperating, helping each other, and enjoying themselves, made her even more envious of colleagues who were there for the whole camp session.
The joyful atmosphere of camp did not change the reality of campers’ lives – the many reports of rape, incest and other forms of abuse. What changed was the realization that handling such problems can be done in a less somber environment.
Our aim is to improve the children’s lives by equipping them with skills to negotiate the treacherous road to adulthood. For girls, that includes teaching them what constitutes abuse and how to deal with it. Once they learn what abusive behavior is, they then have to deal with exceedingly difficult personal conflicts: whether to continue to tolerate the abuse, or face the consequences of reporting the abuse to social service authorities. Possible consequences include the rage of a brother, stepbrother, father, stepfather, uncle or cousin; the upset of a mother who was a silent enabler; the unknowns of placement in another family; and the financial vulnerability of young women in South Africa.
While there are no easy answers, WorldCamps provides support through HIVSA and its allies in government, and through the Saturday Kids Clubs – an invaluable part of the Camp Sizanani experience. At these clubs, children find the familiar faces of counselors, activities they learned at camp, lunch, and the all-important hour of life skills. Strengthened by this reinforcing experience, they become better able to defend themselves and demand their rights.
As we approach the end of our third year of operations, we are proud to report that more than 2,200 campers have gone through our program. The best testimony to its success comes from parents, caregivers and teachers, our biggest boosters. Howls of delight come from adults who notice the progress of children who have attended camp, most visible in their willingness to discuss sensitive issues. As a result of their Camp Sizanani experience, many children have developed inner strengths that can set them on course to become leaders.
Your own investment in these children’s lives, through your partnership with WorldCamps, has helped to make these great strides possible. In turn, I hope that your involvement has brought you a greater understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and ways in which it can be constructively managed.
While expressing my gratitude to you for your concern and generosity in the past, I hope that you will remember us in your year-end giving, enabling us to extend the camping opportunity to many more children in the future. Many thanks to you for being a vital part of WorldCamps.
Warm regards,
Phil |
