Glance Glance

Quick Facts

Mission Global Camps Africa changes the lives of South Africa’s vulnerable children and youth by providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and training through a high-impact residential camp experience and continuing education, equipping young people with the life skills that will support them in becoming safe and productive adults who have hope for the future.

Founder and President

Veteran U.S. Camp Owner and Reston, Virginia Attorney Phillip Lilienthal

History

  • Established in 2003 --  Global Camps Africa is incorporated in the United States and received its 501(c)(3) exemption
  • First residential camp program held in 2004 in South Africa -- Camp Sizanani.  Sizanani means ‘to help each other’ in Zulu 

Facts and Figures

  • Since 2004, up to six camp sessions have been held per year at Camp Sizanani, a rented site about an hour from Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Coed and single gender camps serve South African youth, ages 11 to 16, mostly from Soweto
  • More than 4,600 children have attended camp; up to 150 per session
  • Thirty five counselors per session with 3-4 days pre-camp training; counselors include South African staff and international volunteers who pay their own transportation, room and board
  • Seven 1-hour classes each day with critical life skills woven into each component in addition to special life skills classes
    • HIV/AIDS prevention education
    • Nutrition
    • Sports
    • Swimming
    • Theater, storytelling, dancing and drumming, poetry
    • Arts and crafts
    • Adventure and Teamwork
  • Evening programs include campfires, skits, games, and issues discussions
  • Follow-up provided via biweekly “Kids Clubs” held on Saturdays, year-round at several locations around Soweto. Between 650 and 1,000 children attend each of the 23 sessions held annually
  • Leveraged success by training and partnering for four added camps: KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo provinces and Cape Town in South Africa, and Children of Grace Camp in Uganda
  • 100% donor-supported; funding comes from more than 1,500 generous individuals, as well as from foundations and businesses; donations cover costs associated with camps and Kids Clubs; no charge to participants
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Press Releases Press Releases

Team Up For World Cup Soccer and Global Camps Africa

New York City – The much anticipated FIFA World Cup Soccer match in South Africa between theU.S and England will be televised at a viewing party Saturday, June 12 to benefit Global Camps Africa and children affected by HIV/AIDS. The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m.at Vintage Irving/Side Bar located at 15th and Irving Pl., Union Square, NYC. Special guest, Rima Fakih, Miss USA, is scheduled to appear prior to the start of the match.

This matchup is the first time the U.S. has faced England in a World Cup since a famous upset 60 years ago when the United States, against all odds, defeated England 1–0 in what has been named the "Miracle on Grass". The game and the U.S. team were profiled in the book "The Game of Their Lives" by Geoffrey Douglas, which was later made into a film. At the time, England considered itself the "King of Football"; the odds were 3–1 the English would win the World Cup, and 500–1 for the U.S.

Proceeds from the benefit will support Global Camps Africa (GCA), a U.S. based nonprofit that provides a unique camp experience and ongoing support for children in South Africa affected by HIV/AIDS. The camps, which serve thousands of children, are part education, part HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, and part crucial life skills all wrapped up in a spirit of fun and camaraderie. Three 9-day camps are held each year. Boys' and girls' camps alternate, bringing together 135 children each session. The children are from 11-16 years of age and largely from the Soweto area of Johannesburg. Follow-up support is provided at bi-weekly Kids Clubs in Soweto where up to one thousand children show up each Saturday that Kids Clubs are held.

In anticipation of the impact of the World Cup, this past April GCA presented training near Pretoria to nearly 200 representatives of 65 South African NGO's to prepare them to provide camps during the World Cup when many schools in South Africa will close.

The viewing party will include 2-for1 drinks, big screen viewing of the match and a silent auction including autographed soccer merchandise, tickets to New York Red Bulls matches and vouchers to fine dining in New York City along with a number of other items.

Tickets to the pre-game gourmet brunch and viewing party from noon to 5 p.m. are $100 VIP (which includes a special gift) and $75 General Admission. Tickets to the viewing party from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. are $40 through June 11 and $50 at the door. Space is limited so advance ticket purchase online at http://globalcampsafrica.eventbrite.com is encouraged.

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