Camp Sizananis Blooming All Over South Africa!
In January, Camp Sizanani spread its program to the children and youth of all 9 provinces of South Africa. At the request of USAID and South African non-governmental organizations, Global Camps Africa sent 81 of its vochellis (counselors) to 7 sites around the country to engage HIV-affected young people in the transformative experience of camp.
The sites ranged from a hotel-style facility on less than one acre to beautiful tented campgrounds with nature all around, depending on the availability of accommodations in each province. The campers were all rural children, some of whom were totally unschooled and lacked even basic English language skills. In response to the request for our program all around the country, 8 of our vochellis were given new responsibilities as camp directors.
Though there were challenges at each new Camp Sizanani site, the vochellis were able to use camp activities like singing, dancing, and theater to break through cultural and language barriers. The methods they have been trained to use to express love, acceptance, and care for each camper allowed them to make connections and convey essential life skills despite the fact that the children had no previous exposure to a camp program.
Each venue's management expressed awe at the exceptional behavior of the children, the respect they showed the facilities and the staff, and the tremendous skills of the vochellis. One of the USAID representatives that visited each site reported that she had "never had so much fun in my life!" The campers and vochellis at all of the January camps bid each other tearful goodbyes at the end of their 9 days together. At the directors' meeting following the camps, all of the vochellis voiced their deep desire to return to the provinces to help the children there using the Camp Sizanani model. GCA stands ready to respond to the requests of our new partner organizations around South Africa, and we look forward to working with them again soon.
Replicating Our Model Through Training
In early October, Phil Lilienthal, President of Global Camps Africa, received a call from a contract administrator at Pact in South Africa. He hadn't heard from Daniel at Pact since 2010, when GCA did a USAID-funded training program in partnership with them. But when Daniel related the news that South African organizations were requesting GCA's training services again and asked if Phil and GCA could put together a program for these organizations in just a few weeks, Phil was excited. Here was another opportunity to share GCA's knowledge and experience working with HIV-affected children in a camp setting with 180 new people and to give them the essential tools they would need to implement the intentional camping model. Immediately, Phil and the Camp Sizanani team got to work.
Renowned trainer, Michael Brandwein, who facilitated the training in 2010 agreed to lead the program again. Gwynn Powell of Clemson University, who had worked with Michael at the 2010 training, also agreed to come back to lead the evaluation effort and serve as an assistant trainer. The South African staff began planning the logistics and coordinating the participation of 40 of Camp Sizanani's own vochellis (counselors) in the workshops so that they, too, could get the benefit of the training. And together, the team created an educational, interactive, and explosively powerful program that went off seamlessly in November.
South Lakes High School Choirs Sing for Sizanani
By Phil Lilienthal
On Tuesday, October 22 at South Lakes HS in Reston, Zoe Geyman, one of GCA's summer interns, put together an evening whereby 4 musical groups at the high school sang two songs each, including one African song, and then came together with all 4 groups singing together.
Many thanks to Zoe and to the wonderfully talented singers of South Lakes High School, as well as to their lovely director, Rita, and the many parents and friends who supported GCA through their participation.
Radiant Child Yoga and GCA Partner to Provide Unique Training in South Africa
By Guest Blogger Lisa Brodrick
My name is Lisa Brodrick and I am a Radiant Child Yoga teacher-trainer. I was asked by RCY Founder, Shakta Khalsa, to travel to South Africa this November to teach Radiant Child Yoga Levels 1-3 to caregivers, teachers, parents, and everyone who can benefit children.
My trip is being made possible by a unique partnership between Radiant Child Yoga (www.childrensyoga.com) and Global Camps Africa (www.globalcampsafrica.org).
Thirty-five Global Camps counselors, who are young local volunteers, will take the Radiant Child Yoga teacher training. The counselors will bring Radiant Child Yoga to hundreds of children who visit the camps each year. The children come to the camps, and then stay connected to the Camp spirit by going to "clubs" when they return home.
Together may we spread joy, safety, and strength to all the beautiful children of South Africa!
For more information about this unique collaboration between Radiant Child Yoga and Global Camps Africa, please watch this video.
Here’s How You Can Help...
If you are interested in attending or finding out more about the Radiant Child Yoga teacher training in South Africa, please click here! or email Lisa at lisa@childrensyoga.com.
If you would like to be a sponsor at the fundraising event planned for October 12th in Asbury Park, click here!
If you would like to donate to support this project but can't participate in the event in Asbury Park, please click here!
Mosaic Harmony to Perform for Global Camps Africa
Global Camps Africa invites the community to join them for an evening of music and a chance to meet some of the people of Camp Sizanani, GCA’s residential camp for HIV/AIDS affected children in South Africa on Thursday, Sept. 5. The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by Mosaic Harmony, a multicultural, interfaith community choir of the metropolitan Washington area that draws on the rich heritage of African-American inspirational music to demonstrate and encourage unity in the midst of diversity. The choir represents more than 17 faith traditions and performs everything from traditional spirituals to new songs composed by its director, David North.
Event Details
What: Mosaic Harmony Concert for Global Camps Africa
When: Thursday, Sept. 5
Where: St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
Website: www.globalcampsafrica.org
Information & reservations: 703-437-0808
Special guests for the evening will be two visiting counselors from Camp Sizanani in South Africa who will share songs and stories from their experiences working with HIV/AIDS affected children and youth. After the concert, guests will have a chance to meet and talk with the visiting South African counselors.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.globalcampsafrica.org/shop or call 703-437-0808 for reservations & information.
The mission of Global Camps Africa, which is headquartered in Reston, is to change the lives of South Africa’s vulnerable children and youth by providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and training through high-impact residential and day camp experiences and continuing education. Global Camps Africa aims to equip young people with the life skills that will support them in becoming safe and productive adults who have hope for the future. At Camp Sizani, empowering lessons of a healthy life and smart choices are woven into every aspect and activity of camp. Children ages 11-19 enjoy eight days of camp, free of charge, where HIV education and life skills training are incorporated into a curriculum of targeted classes and recreational activities such as sports, games, art, drama, poetry & music. The goal is that every camper will receive the knowledge and skills that will empower him or her to look forward to a healthy and productive adult life.
After camp, the children attend Saturday Youth Clubs that meet twice a month near their homes. There, the lessons of camp are reinforced and the campers continue to receive the support of staff and peers.