Emily 4/30/26 Emily 4/30/26

ONE NIGHT FOR SIZANANI 2026: Event highlights

Our annual event, One Night for Sizanani, was a huge success — thanks to YOU, our amazing community of supporters!

This past Saturday, April 25, we were joined by more than 160 members of the Global Camps Africa community to celebrate our organization's 23 years of impact.

Because of your generosity, we surpassed our fundraising goal and raised more than $250,000 to support our life skills programs in South Africa. Not only will we be able to run three full sessions of Camp Sizanani and continue delivering year-round biweekly Youth Clubs at 9 locations throughout Johannesburg, but we will also be moving forward with our planned expansion into the Western Cape province of South Africa with a new camp this December. Thousands of young lives will be positively impacted in the year to come, made possible by your steadfast support.

Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do. It is what allows us to create safe, empowering spaces where young people can build confidence, develop critical life skills, and envision brighter futures for themselves. So to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, volunteered, or cheered us on from afar — thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

Here are some highlights from the evening:

PERFORMANCE BY TARATIBU YOUTH ASSOCIATION

Taratibu Youth Association is a performing arts organization dedicated to empowering young people of the African diaspora through cultural expression, education, and community engagement. Blending traditional and contemporary styles, Taratibu uses music, movement, and storytelling to preserve history while inspiring the next generation.

Their performance at One Night for Sizanani was powerful and deeply moving. The fusion of gumboot dance — an art form born in the oppressive conditions of South Africa’s mines as a means of communication among silenced workers — with spoken word reflections on Apartheid created a meaningful connection to the experiences many of our campers face. Taratibu not only captivated the audience, but also reinforced Global Camps Africa’s core message: by empowering young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to overcome hardship and thrive, we can change the world.

April Benson Volunteer Award: Amy Berman, The Mother Bear Project

Each year, we present this award for extraordinary volunteer service in honor of former Global Camps Africa Board of Directors member, Dr. April Lane Benson, PhD, whose creativity, persistence, enthusiasm, intelligence, and work ethic embodied the true meaning of service.

This year, we had the pleasure of honoring Amy Berman, founder and owner of the Mother Bear Project, a recently-closed nonprofit of knitters and crocheters from around the world that have sent more than 190,000 hand-knit teddy bears to vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa. Amy and her dedicated team have been creating and sending bears to Camp Sizanani for the past 20 years, bringing comfort, joy, and a tangible reminder of love to thousands of our campers.

Amy’s unwavering commitment to serving children perfectly reflects the spirit of this award. Through her compassion and dedication, she has touched countless lives and strengthened the sense of belonging and support that lies at the heart of Global Camps Africa’s mission. Thank you, Amy, for your decades of generosity and partnership — Camp Sizanani won't be the same without your bears!

Sizanani Award: Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan

Sizanani is a Zulu word that means “help each other.” This award celebrates leaders who place the needs of youth above themselves, demonstrating extraordinary dedication to empowering vulnerable children around the world. Previous Sizanani Award winners include Pamela W. Barnes, Dr. Alan Greenberg, Calvin Hill, Lawrence O’Donnell, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Bryan Stevenson.

This year, we were honored to present the Sizanani Award to Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan, a leader whose remarkable career reflects a lifelong commitment to service, diplomacy, and the empowerment of communities across Africa. Ambassador Sullivan retired from the Foreign Service with the rank of Career Minister on December 28, 2025, after over four decades of service to the United States. She held three ambassadorial postings: to the African Union (2024-2025), Ghana (2018-2022), and the Republic of Congo (2013-2017). Ms. Sullivan’s first diplomatic tour of duty was in Cameroon (1986-88). She also served in Ghana as Political Chief (1997-2001), and as the Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs (2017-2018).

Ambassador Sullivan’s work has had a lasting and meaningful impact across Africa, advancing opportunity, education, and cross-cultural understanding. Her dedication to uplifting young people and supporting their potential mirrors the very heart of Global Camps Africa’s mission. We are proud to recognize Ambassador Sullivan as a true embodiment of Sizanani, and we are grateful for the example she sets for all of us.

Reflections from Nkosi Jeju, Former Camp Sizanani Participant

Nkosi Jeju, a proud Camp Sizanani alumnus, took the stage and delivered one of the most moving moments of the evening. Born into challenging circumstances, Nkosi learned resilience from a young age, navigating much of his childhood independently while remaining deeply committed to his education. His determination carried him through academic success, scholarships to top schools, and ultimately to studying in the United States, where he continues to excel both in the classroom and as a record-breaking student-athlete.

Nkosi spoke about how his experience at Camp Sizanani helped open doors he once thought were out of reach, including the mentorship that guided him toward pursuing higher education abroad. Nkosi's journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people are given the opportunity, support, and belief they deserve. He exemplifies the ripple effect of investing in youth, transforming not only individual lives, but entire futures.

We are so proud of you, Nkosi, and we can't wait to see what else you accomplish!

Performance by Jesse Clegg

To round out the evening, we were delighted with a live performance by platinum-selling South African singer-songwriter Jesse Clegg, a longtime friend of Global Camps Africa. His music brought a sense of joy and celebration to the room, while also serving as a meaningful connection to the country and communities at the heart of our work. Jesse’s performance was a fitting close to the night: uplifting, unifying, and a reminder of the creativity and potential that exists within every young person we strive to support.

Thank you, Jesse, for coming all this way to perform for us!

Camp Sizanani Immersion Video

In March of this year, GCA Board Member David Gallegos travelled to South Arica to experience our flagship program, Camp Sizanani, for himself. He captured these clips while at camp, where he lived and worked as a full-fledged vochelli (counselor) for the entire session, assisting our staff members with life skills sessions and other activities.

“Through life skills, teamwork, creativity, reflection, and friendship, I saw confidence grow, hope deepen, and new dreams take shape,” writes David about his time at camp. “These young people arrived carrying the weight of their circumstances, but they are leaving with something more powerful: a stronger sense of who they are, what they can become, and the knowledge that they too can overcome.”

David's video was available for viewing at One Night for Sizanani, where guests could put on headphones and be virtually immersed in the energy and impact of Camp Sizanani — and now you can, too! Listen along as our campers reflect on the lessons learned and friendships forged at our most recent session. Through their words, you’ll hear firsthand how the experience of camp shapes their confidence, strengthens their sense of community, and helps them see new possibilities for their future.

Our sincere thanks to David for capturing these moments so authentically, offering a glimpse into what makes Camp Sizanani so impactful. You can read more about David's time in South Africa here.

Western Cape Expansion

As we mentioned, thanks to the success of One Night for Sizanani 2026, we are able to move full-steam ahead with our plan to expand into the Western Cape province of South Africa, launching a whole new camp in December, allowing us to positively impact another 140 vulnerable children and youth with our life skills curriculum.

This expansion would not be possible without the support of the Western Cape provincial government, specifically Minister Jaco Londt, who has served as our point of contact and champion during expansion discussions. In this video, he speaks with Camp Sizanani's Country Director Neo Nkosi about our blossoming partnership and the impact it will have.

The Western Cape session in December will be exclusively for children who are currently living in "Child and Youth Centers," residential facilities that house children who have been removed from their family homes by court order, most often as a result of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. There are more than 43,000 such children in the Western Cape alone, representing a critical need for the province.

We look forward to the opportunity to provide the Camp Sizanani experience to these children, who otherwise wouldn’t have access to the life-skills training, health education, unforgettable fun that they’ll get at camp.

Emily 3/16/26 Emily 3/16/26

GCA BOARD MEMBER TRAVELS TO SOUTH AFRICA

David Gallegos, a member of the GCA Board of Directors, is traveling to South Africa on March 17 to experience our transformative programs in person! For the next few weeks, follow along as David documents his journey to Camp Sizanani.

MARCH 16, 2026

On Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, I’m embarking on a three-week immersion in South Africa alongside Global Camps Africa and Camp Sizanani Life Skills.

I have been privileged to visit South Africa before, but this return will be a profoundly different experience. I’m not arriving as a traveler; I’m returning as a volunteer, a board member, and a champion for an incredible mission to elevate vulnerable youth.

My journey will take me from the vibrant energy of youth clubs in the townships of the City of Johannesburg to strategic meetings with leaders in the City of Cape Town to discuss expanding our impact. The heartbeat of the trip, however, will be my time at Camp Sizanani, serving as an international counselor and working directly alongside the children and staff who bring this vision to life.

Global Camps Africa equips young people with the essential life skills, confidence, and mentorship they need to lead healthy, empowered lives. It’s more than just a camp; it’s a safe haven where these children discover their own potential and begin to rewrite their futures.

I am thrilled to learn from the communities we serve and to witness the programs in action. Travel changes you, but I believe service transforms you. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a window into this journey - illuminating the resilient communities, the powerful moments of connection, and the hope being built on the ground. I can’t wait to bring you all along for this transformative journey.

Stay tuned for moments, stories, and the powerful work happening on the ground.

MARCH 21, 2026

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit a couple of the year-round youth clubs, and it was truly inspiring.

The facilities were warm and welcoming, the staff were organized and intentional, and the children were fully engaged - learning, growing, and having fun.

I continue to be deeply impressed by the work that Global Camps Africa and Camp Sizanani are doing to equip vulnerable youth with life skills, confidence, and hope for the future.

Tomorrow, I’ll be flying to Cape Town to meet with leaders from the Deparment of Social Development to discuss future expansion opportunities. I couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead.

MARCH 25, 2026

This week, we had the privilege of attending a session of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, where Minister Jaco Londt recognized the impact of Global Camps Africa and Camp Sizanani Life Skills and spoke to the importance of expanding programs like ours across the province.
Grateful and excited to be working with Minister Londt and his outstanding Department of Social Development team within the Western Cape Government to help bring these life-changing programs to more young people in the Western Cape.

March 27, 2026

We were grateful for the opportunity to meet with several Child and Youth Care Centers (CYCCs) in the City of Cape Town that provide residential care, protection, and therapeutic support for orphaned, abused, and vulnerable children. These visits were deeply meaningful as we explore partnerships that could open the door for more young people to participate in Global Camps Africa's life-changing Life Skills Clubs and Camps.
We were also excited to connect with other potential community partners, including the Khaltsha Cycling Academy, whose unique programs could help enrich the camp experience as we work toward launching in the Western Cape.
What stood out most was the shared commitment across each organization to helping young people build confidence, resilience, and hope for the future. We are inspired by these conversations and energized by the possibilities ahead.

MARCH 30, 2026

Day 1 of Camp Sizanani was unforgettable.

We picked up the children and traveled about an hour north of Johannesburg to the place that is going to be our home for the next 8 days. What started as a bus ride quickly turned into something much more meaningful: the beginning of a week filled with possibility, growth, and joy.

The moment we arrived, the music started, the games began, and laughter filled the air. You could feel the energy shift as the children settled in, connected with one another, and opened themselves to the experience ahead.

And that was only the first day.

Emily 10/22/25 Emily 10/22/25

INTERN EXPERIENCE AT GCA

This year, Global Camps Africa was very lucky to have Aung Khant, a graduate student at the University of Maryland, join our team as a Policy & Advocacy Intern. Aung brought thoughtfulness and creativity to his work supporting our advocacy and communications efforts. In the reflection below, he shares what he learned during his internship and how the experience deepened his understanding of youth empowerment and connection across cultures.

Looking back on my internship experience at Global Camps Africa, I feel incredibly fortunate to be involved with such an organization committed to the health and safety of youth and their communities. When I first started my internship, I was wary of what to expect. However, it soon became clear that my position here was more than an internship; it was an educational experience that connected public health with a better understanding of youth-related challenges in South Africa.

The best part about this experience was the perfect balance between independence and structure. I was allowed to work independently on projects, such as writing policy memos, researching advocacy strategies, and helping develop coalition letters—while simultaneously receiving oversight and feedback. I appreciated how the work felt purposeful. Whether it was mapping potential partners or analyzing survey data from camp modules, every deed contributed to a larger picture of fostering a safer and healthier future for youth.

I acquired many skills during this internship, including but not limited to policy research and writing, stakeholder mapping, data interpretation, and strategic thinking. I feel most confident in my ability to articulate my purpose to various audiences, especially through writing about complicated health-related issues. These will serve me well during my MPH studies and future career committed to public health policy and advocacy.

I hope to see myself working in the future with a governmental or community-based organization focused on health equity and systems transformation. This internship solidified my professional aspirations, especially with multiple organizations established by advocates looking to go deeper into youth-related grassroots community efforts. I’ve also learned the importance of collaboration and narrative-building—lessons that extend far beyond this experience.

Thank you to the GCA team for cultivating an environment where I could both learn, give back, and grow. I look forward to following your endeavors and continued influence around the world.

Emily 2/19/25 Emily 2/19/25

Camp Sizanani: Camp, Day 1

Meet Wendi Sue Gresanti, associate director of Pine Grove Day Camp in New Jersey, USA. She attended the September 2024 session of Camp Sizanani, living and working as a bona fide vochelli alongside our South African staff. Read her blog to get a taste of daily Sizanani life!

The campers were arriving this morning and you could feel the excitement in the air. We were to meet for breakfast at 8pm but received a knock on the door at 7:40 asking us to come to a meeting for Vochelli Specialists (the staff members who escort the campers from activity to activity). This was our assignment for the week. We went to the training center and helped prepare the folders for the campers with notebooks and pens. We received a composition book to take notes ourselves. We set up the backpacks with four water bottles to carry with us. Found out that the campers could all drink from these same four water bottles throughout the day. After breakfast, the buses arrived. One hundred and thirty five campers got off the buses to the Vochellis singing their “I’m so glad” song. I’m so glad, the campers are here...

The campers looked like they were excited yet a little timid. We welcomed them, pulled their luggage off the bus and escorted them to the theater to set them up with their group and bunk Vochellis. I learned I would be with the oldest campers (boys and girls ages 17-19), my sister Janet with the 15-16 years old group. We had been briefed on any concerns for the campers. I had one who suffered from seizures, one who had “spiritual gifts”, and others with food allergies and other minor medical conditions.

After settling in, the Wellness Drive began. The campers would travel by group to see the Nurses station for a full check, the optometrist , audiologist and dentist. Janet and I were assigned to help at the nurses station where there were four nursing students and their director, along with the volunteer doctor Yvonne, doing the intakes. Janet and I did weight and height, calculated the BMIs, took temperature and later did the blood pressures to help move things along. The nurses took their medical histories, discussed their blood pressure issues as needed (there were more high blood pressures than you would expect for these aged campers). Some campers had lung issues, unhealed wounds. One was determined to have spinal curvature causing some pain. Many campers expressed how this was the first time they had ever seen a doctor. Janet and I tried to keep things light for the campers as many seemed anxious at seeing the doctor and nurses. We got to see all of the 135 campers in one day.

After dinner, we went to the campfire as a welcoming and to sing songs and kick off camp.

Emily 2/10/25 Emily 2/10/25

Camp Sizanani: Training, Day 1

As we pulled into the campsite that would, for the next 11 days, be the home for Camp Sizanani, I was taken back by the charm of the facilities. Brick laid roads in decorative circular patterns, large stone buildings to be used as bunks and training locations and lots of trees and foliage everywhere you look. It was a peaceful setting and not at all what I had expected, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I’m not sure what I had expected when I began my research on the camp over a year ago. My plan was to travel to South Africa and work with the children who were in some way affected by HIV/AIDS. Some have lost loved ones, some have been diagnosed themselves with the disease and some have had their own personal traumas to work though. The camp was created to support these young people and help them begin to heal from their pasts.

When I was accepted to volunteer, my sister Janet asked to volunteer with me. Janet has worked tirelessly over the years to help children in need. First volunteering as a Big Sister during college, then signing up with the Peace Corp to teach in Togo (only to have a devastating car accident which prevented her from going). Then working with the Make a Wish Foundation, being a wish coordinator for terminally ill children, owning a Huntington Learning Center (as education means the world to her), and finally being a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) member speaking on behalf of children in court hearings. The fact that she was coming with me was very comforting to me... I had an ally.

The first three days at the campsite would be training for the eight day camp. As an Associate Director of a summer day camp in New Jersey, I am familiar with orientation training and felt I knew what I was in for, but this training was different. Yes, of course there were many similarities: Ice breaker games and team builders to play with the campers and the logistics of camp. But there was a much larger emotional aspect than at my home camp. Training included how to create open safe space for campers to talk about their issues if they felt comfortable with you and how to discuss sensitive subjects such as sex, condoms, child abuse, rape, illness, loss of parents, etc.

Upon arrival we had a brief welcome meeting in the training center. Then each Vochelli (a made up word meaning Camp Sizanani staff member) went to the nurse’s station for a physical and mental screening. We told that the Social Workers were there for all of the staff as well as the campers. At the time, I wasn’t sure why that was mentioned, but came to realize as the week went on.

We then went to lunch in the dining hall. First things first, we all washed our hands as someone scooped out some soapy water with a bowl and poured it over your hands. Then the songs began. Oh these loud, enthusiastic, beautiful songs of the county, some in english, some in one of the 11 languages spoken at the camp. As you wait for everyone to enter the dining hall, the songs and dances were just infectious. These Vochellis, with large smiles on their faces singing and dancing as if to be joyously celebrating the moment. The crowd was hushed and someone offered a prayer before entering the hall.

Not going to lie, some of the food was known in America, some was so foreign that I just couldn’t. Chicken feet and beaks, known as “Walking Talkies”, is one example.

The staff were all quite welcoming. Happiness was the first to introduce herself. We got to meet Kabelo (KB, the camp director). He reminded me of our camp director back at home. A jubilant leader you wanted to follow - Outgoing and joyful. But then over the first day alone, we were in many conversations with the Vochellis, trying to get everyone’s name down but it was difficult. Much different spelling structure with silent letters and vowels with different sounds from home. And sometimes a ‘click’ in their name... still haven’t gotten that down yet. But what I noticed most about the staff is their warmth, their enthusiasm, and their welcoming nature. These were exceptional people, and that was obvious from day one.

We went to the pool and I noticed that most of the Vochellis could not swim. Some were trying to learn and practicing some strokes, but for the most part the ones that did go in were not swimmers. It’s just not part of their culture, but we found out that part of the curriculum would be to help the camper learn to, at the very least, be able to stay afloat if they were in water and hopefully some would learn to swim while at camp.

The night ended with an after dinner Karaoke night for the staff. We went and were surprised that a few songs were in english (Sweet Caroline, I Want to Dance with Somebody, etc.) But most were in an African language.