Sizanani Award Winners

Sizanani translates from Zulu to mean “help each other.”  The Sizanani Award embodies the heart of Global Camps Africa and recognizes extraordinary work in the fight to empower children in the global battle with HIV and AIDS. We give this award to those who have placed the needs of youth worldwide above themselves and have taken meaningful and significant efforts to empower vulnerable children in need.

Global Camps Africa Honors Dr. Anthony Fauci with Prestigious Sizanani Award

(Wash. D.C., April 22, 2024) -- Global Camps Africa is pleased to announce that Dr. Anthony Fauci, renowned immunologist and public health advocate, was honored with the Sizanani Award at its annual gala event in Washington, DC on April 20th.

The Sizanani Award, which translates from Zulu to mean "help each other," embodies the heart of Global Camps Africa's mission to empower children in the global battle against HIV/AIDS. This award recognizes extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable children worldwide.

Dr. Fauci was selected as this year's recipient in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS. His leadership in initiatives such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and his pioneering research as former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have played a pivotal role in transforming our understanding of the disease and advancing prevention and treatment efforts globally.  The award was presented by MSNBC anchor Lawrence O’Donnell, previous Sizanani Award recipient and supporter of Global Camps Africa’s work.

“I want to express my deep appreciation to Global Camps Africa. I applaud the ingenuity of the founder of Global Camps Africa, Philip Lilienthal, for his extraordinary vision,” said Dr. Fauci on accepting the award.

"Dr. Fauci's tireless commitment to public health and his unparalleled contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS make him a truly deserving recipient of the Sizanani Award," said Philip Lilienthal, founder and president of Global Camps Africa. "His dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable children through protecting their health aligns perfectly with our organization's mission, and we are honored to recognize his remarkable achievements."

Previous Sizanani Award Winners

Lynn Lilienthal was the wife of GCA’s founder and president, Phil Lilienthal. Lynn grew up in New York City, where she graduated from the Dalton School. Then, she attended the University of Wisconsin, graduated from the New School for Social Research in New York, and got her Master's in Social Work from Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University).

After graduation, she and Phil were selected for Peace Corps volunteer service in Ethiopia, where she worked in a juvenile home, an orphanage for children with physical and mental disabilities, and a mental institution.

Five years later, she and Phil went to the Philippines and Thailand for two years where he was on the Peace Corps staff, and she became involved in local organizations. She particularly enjoyed her work as a volunteer at the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok and the National Museum.

After returning to the US, she started Virginia's first licensed child care center for infants. She was also a founding officer of the Northern Virginia Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.

She served on many boards of directors in Reston, Virginia, her adopted hometown where her three children grew up. She was on the Greater Reston Arts Center board, was the President of Reston Interfaith, and was a founding member of the Reston Historic Trust, which also operated the Reston Museum. All organizations thrived under her passionate, collegial, and creative leadership.

Lynn passed away on October 30, 2022.

Pamela W. Barnes is a leading voice in sexual and reproductive health and rights who has decades of experience with international sexual and reproductive health movements and feminist civil society organizations.

Barnes received the Sizanani Award for her work as President/CEO at EngenderHealth, where she led a team of more than 600 people working in 22 countries around the world to support the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services. She was also recognized for her work as President/CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, leading successful programs across Africa and Asia.

Global Camps Africa has relied upon international volunteers to develop and support the implementation of its life-changing programs. From experienced camp directors to to artists, entrepreneurs, and other philanthropists, Global Camps Africa recruits a wide range of men and women who are passionate about global health and youth development.

Our international volunteers received the Sizanani Award for their dedication to Global Camps Africa’s life-changing initiatives in South Africa, working hard to support the vulnerable children and youth we serve there.

Calvin G. Hill is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). Yale University conferred Hill with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at its 2016 commencement.

Hill received the Sizanani Award for his powerful advocacy on behalf of vulnerable children. The eponymous Calvin Hill Day Care Center in New Haven, CT, is the only Yale-affiliated child care program that promotes accessibility and affordability through a sliding tuition scale. Hill has given motivational talks and inspired young people all over the world through his example on and off the field.

Alan E. Greenberg is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, and a Professor of Medicine and Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine in the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Greenberg received the Sizanani Award for his work in the field of global health, particularly the epidemiology of HIV. He has developed numerous multidisciplinary initiatives with academic, community and government partners in Washington, DC.

Lawrence O’Donnell hosts “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” at 10 PM on msnbc. Each night, O’Donnell relies on his extraordinary background in politics, entertainment and news, to provide the last word on the biggest issues and most compelling stories of the day.

O’Donnell received the Sizanani Award for his work with the K.I.N.D. Fund to ensure that children in Africa have a place to sit, read, and write, among his many other important contributions to raising awareness and advocating for policies that improve the lives of children in the United States and around the world.

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