Not that we needed documentation, but we now know, better than ever, that “Camp Gives Kids a World of Good,” regardless of the circumstances, facilities, or location. The Coleman family have been supporters of Global Camps Africa since its inception; Ross Coleman, along with Office Manager Pam Hall and Maintenance Director Tony Bareirra, took a 20-hour flight to provide hands-on backing for a 14-day session of camp near Soweto, South Africa. Camp Sizanani, named for the Zulu word which means “to help each other,” gives a camp experience to children ages 10-18 (150 children for each of three sessions throughout the year) who have been affected by HIV/AIDs. While at the camp which is near Johannesburg, the trio served as counselors to the children, many of whom arrive just with the clothes on their backs. While some of the campers have the HIV virus, others have family members or guardians who have been impacted by the disease.

Ross was a swim instructor for these children, most of whom had never before been in the water. He got to see many of them jettison their PFDs along with their fears as they actually learned to swim. Pam was a life skills counselor; she taught health awareness, hygiene, and abuse prevention, an especially important skill set given the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in Africa. Tony was a nutrition counselor, helping the campers learn to use utensils, practice low-cost cooking, and become familiar with proper nutrition. All three, who themselves had to step out of their comfort zones, saw all the campers develop independence, self-esteem, cooperative skills, and respect for others, along with awareness of health issues.

As you might expect, Ross, Pam, and Tony brought with them, in addition to their skills, the spirit of Coleman Country; and the Merrick team also took home loads of new songs and dances to share with Coleman Country campers. It’s true: camp spirit is universal. Just ask the vochellis (the counselors)!

In fact, the cultural exchange hasn’t ended – it’s really just begun. Ross is making arrangements to bring two of the South African counselors to the U.S. to work at camp during the summer and share their expertise from around the globe, and Pam is trying to arrange to have one or two Sizanani campers stay with her family and attend Coleman Country as campers. Indeed, the world just got a little bit smaller.

And, if you are moved, as we were, to help send kids to camp and give them the opportunity to overcome their unfortunate circumstances, you can contribute at: www.globalcampsafrica.org. It’s called the spirit of “Ubuntu,” Zulu for “human kindness.” Many of our camper families, by the way, have already demonstrated “Ubuntu” by donating toiletries during the summer, many of which were shipped prior to camp and some of which were carried and personally delivered by Ross, Pam, and Tony.

Thanks for practicing “Habits of the Heart.”