I recently spent 2 1/2 weeks volunteering at CampSizanani, a camp for children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

The word "sizanani" means "help each other" in Zulu (one of the 11 official languages in South Africa!), and that is what the camp is all about.

I think that is also what the youth of South Africa are all about. Everyone helps each other. Their life situations are overwhelmed with disease, poverty, abuse, death — and yet they don't give up. They realize the situation they are in and also realize that unless they help each other, help most likely won't come.

So, they wake up every morning and put their own needs aside to help their neighbors, their parents, their siblings, and the people of South Africa. The campers were no different. The kids were like one giant family of 150 brothers and sisters. They were constantly sacrificing of themselves to bring comfort to their newfound brothers and sisters, and together, they became a mighty force, willing and able to change South Africa.

The GCA World Cup Fundraiser on Saturday in New York City was a huge success as more than 200 people packed Vintage Irving/Side Bar to support Global Camps Africa and watch the U.S. tie England.

Rima Fakih, Miss USA, spoke at the start of the event and stayed for the entire match.  She also donated a dinner date to the silent auction for two guests to join her at a NYC restaurant in the coming weeks.  Many thanks to Rima for her generosity.

The event raised $11,500 for Global Camps Africa, and with matching gifts from several employers, the total is expected to top $18,000--enough to fund almost one-third of the entire cost of the September camp.

Grateful thanks to GCA Board member Matt Hill, and to all of those who helped him pull off such a great event.