York Guardian
August 3, 2006

From York, with love

Local youth create and send artwork to South African children suffering from AIDS
by Clark Kim

A highly subsidized arts camp has allowed many local children from disadvantaged households, including some from low-income families, shelters, Children’s Aid referrals and refugee claimants, to participate in art activities for the third consecutive summer.

But this year, those kids are giving back in a big way to children who face greater challenges than themselves.

About 100 young campers, from seven to 14 years old, reached out to the kids at Camp Sizanani in South Africa who are affected by AIDS, by writing letters, drawing pictures and making bracelets as gifts to be sent overseas.

“It gives them the feeling they are capable of giving back,” said Lola Rasminsky, executive director of Arts for Children (AFC) of Toronto, which currently runs Arts Adventure Camp at Portage Trail School.

AFC camp director Lisa Phillips, who suggested the idea for the project, agreed.

It was Phillips who learned of Camp Sizanani after meeting with the executive director of WorldCamps, a U.S.-based non-profit corporation that works to provide a camp experience for kids affected by HIV/AIDS in developing countries, earlier this year at a camp conference.

She then approached the children and camp counsellors about doing something through art for those less fortunate around the globe.

“Our staff was able to see the Sizanani camp video. It sort of brought everyone to tears,” said Phillips. “When we introduced it to the campers, the kids were very engaged and interested in what I was saying.”

She added that many of the kids were surprised to hear that she also came from that part of the world, having been born in South Africa.

The box is already full with letters, drawings and gifts such as beach balls, Frisbees and the Canadian flag.

“Just knowing that they’re reaching out to kids around the world is enough for them,” Phillips said. “I like to try to make this an annual thing.”

Malcolm Parchment, 12, had fun drawing “a lot of stuff” for the kids at Camp Sizanani – learning the Zulu word “Sizanani” means, appropriately, “to help each other.”

“I hope they’ll say it’s really good,” Malcolm said.

So does Sabrina Aleman, 9, who also drew a picture, made a red and blue bracelet and wrote a letter for them.

“I wrote I hope you’re having fun there,” Sabrina said. “And I hope you like the bracelet.”