February 7th Marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
African Americans account for 14% of the US population, but fully 44% of new cases of HIV infection, making the African American community the most at-risk population in the country. The rate of new HIV infection among black women in America is more than 15 times higher than among white women. As a result, children of African American women are more likely to become HIV positive through mother-to-child transmission of the virus. In fact, in 2005, 66% of the people living with HIV who had contracted it from their mothers were African American. The global health community has made great strides toward protecting children from HIV infection around the world, and we must continue our work here at home. Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day set aside to advocate for HIV/AIDS education, testing, involvement, and treatment for African Americans in the United States. Information regarding the impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/PDF/aa.pdf.
Global Camps Africa joins its HIV-prevention and education colleagues around the United States to encourage all individuals, especially those at high risk, to get tested for HIV and know their status. To find your local testing facility visit www.hivtest.org.
All statistics courtesy of the CDC
Global Camps Africa to host World AIDS Day event in Reston
Global Campfire event to support World AIDS Day RESTON VA- In honor of World AIDS Day on December 1, a local non-profit organization, Global Camps Africa (GCA), will host an event in Reston, Virginia.
Through high-impact camp experiences and follow-up programs, GCA provides HIV education and life skills to HIV-affected children in South Africa. Using the power of camp as its vehicle, GCA delivers these services to the under-served and at-risk population of orphans and vulnerable children from some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by the HIV epidemic in South Africa.
In keeping with the camp tradition, the World AIDS Day event, called Global Campfire 2011, will feature music, singing, and poetry readings. The campfire will take place at Lake Fairfax Park, Campsite G1, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM and will be open to the public. Global Camps Africa will also be streaming the Global Campfire event live on its web site so that people all over the world can participate virtually.
“We invite everyone to join us at Global Campfire to remember the 30 million people who have died of AIDS-related illness since 1981, and to bring attention to the continuing need for prevention, care, and treatment for HIV-affected youth around the world,” said Emily Crowder, Global Camps Africa’s Executive Director.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is “Getting to Zero,” which refers to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) strategy to reduce the number of new HIV infections to zero by 2015. Global Camps Africa’s efforts to reach HIV-affected youth in South Africa with messages about prevention and empowerment are one important component of that strategy.
Phil Lilienthal, Founder and President of GCA, described the goal of the Global Campfire event, saying,“We want our campfire to bring the community who attend closer together to feel the strength of what a group can bring to a problem: even one as immense as HIV/AIDS.”
For further information, please contact Jessica Johnson (jessica.johnson@globalcampsafrica.org).
Employment Opportunities
There are currently no employment opportunities available at Global Camps Africa. Check out our Volunteer page for other ways to get involved!
Volunteer Opportunities
For information or to volunteer, contact Patty Foran
patricia.foran@globalcampsafrica.org, 703-437-0808
Lake Anne Market (Saturdays between September 15 and November 3)
Each Saturday through October, Global Camps Africa has a table at the Lake Anne Farmer's Market in Reston, VA. In addition to spreading the word about the work Global Camps Africa is doing with children in South Africa, we also sell beaded jewelry made by South African women. All proceeds benefit the kids of Camp Sizanani. We are seeking volunteers to set up the table at the market, distribute information about GCA, and sell the jewelry. Global Camps Africa staff will provide training to all market volunteers so that you can be comfortable discussing our programs and inviting visitors to the table. Various shifts are available (beginning as early as 7:15 AM and concluding at 1:15 PM). We encourage groups or pairs to volunteer together or in shifts. If you would like to learn more about how to volunteer at the Lake Anne Market, please contact Patty Foran at the email address or phone number above.
Mosaic Harmony Concert (September 15)
Global Camps Africa is thrilled to partner with Mosaic Harmony, an interfaith multi-cultural choir, to present an evening of music to support Global Camps Africa. Five of our South African camp counselors will be on hand to meet guests at a reception following the concert. We are seeking volunteers to help set up and take down the reception, serve as ushers, and hand out information to guests at the event. Volunteers at the event will receive free tickets to the concert! The event will be held at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Reston, VA. If you are available on September 15 at 6:30 to help set up the reception site, at 7:00 to take tickets and serve as an usher, or at 8:30 to serve refreshments and help clean up after the reception, please contact Patty Foran at the email address or phone number above.
Other Events
Assist Global Camps Africa at events throughout the year with various tasks such as set-up and clean-up, serving refreshments, distributing materials, check-in/registration and other administrative tasks. Volunteers should be at least 16 years of age, have good communication skills and be comfortable meeting the public. Some jobs will require good organizational skills. Event support experience would be helpful but is not required. Time commitment is 5-6 hours per event.
IT Technical Support
GCA occasionally needs an IT professional to provide technical support to staff and Board on an on-call basis. Tasks may include updating and maintaining software, troubleshooting computer problems, website maintenance, and advising staff on IT related questions. Some work may be done remotely from the volunteer’s home computer but other jobs will require your presence in the office. Volunteer should have experience managing IT infrastructure (network, computers, printers), good communication skills, and ability to work in Wordpress. A personal interview and references will be required. Minimum age is 18.
2011 Donors
Our Heartfelt Thanks go to our Donors of 2011 |
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Gifts In Kind |
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| John Beitner | Boys and Girls bathing suits |
| Regina and Bill Bouie | Travel expenes to the Board meeting |
| Michelle Brancontier | Nametags, bathing suits, totebags, lanyards, socks, plastic bracelets and whistles |
| Caroline Breinin | sneakers |
| Charles Butler | toiletries |
| Margit Campbell | Various shoes |
| Don Cheley | Shoes |
| Ross Coleman | Sweatshirts and soccer shorts |
| Cindy Donahue | Pens for camp |
| Lauren and Ryan Katz | Soccer balls, tennis and softballs, footballs, softballs, kickball |
| Scott Llewellyn | Scanner and printer |
| Gwynn Powell | Games |
| Paul Seridan | Swimsuits, soccer shorts and shoes |
| Tom Sawyer Camps | Shirts, swimsuits and goggles |
| Kohann and Ed Williams | Airfare for Board Meetings, food and supplies for fundraisers, printer and scanner |
| Erica Wilson | various toiletries, art supplies and hats |