Dinner and Auction to Support HIV-affected Children in South Africa

April 12, 2013 – For Immediate Release

Reston, VA – On the evening of April 27th Reston will be the site of an event that aims to help young people half way around the globe.  Global Camps Africa (GCA), a locally run, internationally active non-profit provides young people in South Africa a chance to spend two weeks connecting, learning, laughing, and camping all in hopes of combatting the spread of HIV/AIDS.  This year’s Celebrate Sizanani event (named for the camp in South Africa) will include dinner, South African wine, and live and silent auctions the prizes of which include: four nights in a two-bedroom suite at the Trump Hotel, Waikiki; two round-trip tickets from Washington (Dulles) to Johannesburg; and a Jim Brown autographed NFL football.

The Founder and President of GCA, Philip Lilienthal, will be hosting Celebrate Sizanani 2013 along with several prominent local and international guests. Honorary Chairs of the event are: Robert Simon, the founder of Reston, VA; former US Senator Harris Wofford; and Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and Ms. Rosieda Shabodien, the South African Ambassador to the US and his wife.

The proceeds of the event will allow Global Camps Africa to continue sending HIV/AIDS affected kids to Camp Sizanani where they learn life skills, awareness and HIV-prevention through an American-style camping experience.  “The South African children are ready to have powerful and productive lives.  We see this three times a year as 140 new campers come to us without hope and leave after 8 days at camp, with a vision for powerful and meaningful lives.  What a joy it is to have camp make such a great contribution to their lives,” says Mr. Lilienthal.  The program also provides a biweekly follow-up program called Youth Clubs that meet in several locations around Soweto, where most of the campers live.

Kabelo Malefane, the South African Director of Camp Sizanani, will speak at the event about his experience growing up in South Africa and about how being a part of Camp Sizanani has changed his life.  Kabelo has the most interaction with the campers, developing strong connections and seeing the real benefits of Camp Sizanani for the youth of South Africa.  He says, “Growing up, I couldn't imagine what camp was.  There were no opportunities for me and my friends to get out of our environment. When I learned about camp, I was curious.  I was able to start by working in the after-camp Youth Clubs as a counselor.  Then I went to be a counselor at camp and it has never stopped.  We all feel privileged to be able to assist campers from our townships on how to make their lives worth something.”

EVENT INFORMATION:

Date: April 27th, 2013

Time: 6:00-9:00 PM

Location: Oracle Headquarters (1900 Oracle Way, Reston, VA 20190).

To purchase tickets visit: http://bit.ly/ISV30k or call 703-437-0808

For further information, please contact Emily Crowder (Emily@globalcampsafrica.org)

Global Camps Africa changes the lives of South Africa’s vulnerable children and youth by providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and training through high-impact residential camp and day camp experiences and continuing education. Thousands of vulnerable South African children participate in camp and Kids Clubs activities each year through generous contributions from donors from around the globe. Learn more about Global Camps Africa at www.GlobalCampsAfrica.org