In 2015, 80 HIV-positive Ugandan children aged 9 to 11 will attend the 5-day residential Sanyuka Camp, which focuses on healthy living and building self-esteem. Sanyuka Camp is a collaborative effort between Baylor-Uganda and Paul Newman's Serious Fun Global Partnership Initiative. Your generous support will ensure the successful continuation of Sanyuka Camp and will directly impact the lives of some of Uganda's most vulnerable-but also some of its most promising-young people.
190,000+ children in Uganda were born with HIV. Many young people find the experience of learning they are HIV-positive to be traumatic. They are already dealing with difficulties such as new social relationships, complicated family situations, and challenges at school. An HIV-positive diagnosis is a shock that can compound and amplify existing issues, leaving young people feeling overwhelmed or defeated. Effective counseling is only achieved when individuals can comfortably speak their minds.
Sanyuka Camp enhances coping skills, self-esteem and personal growth through life skills, team building activities, health education and experience sharing in a safe, loving and supportive environment. Activities such as one-on-one counseling, role-play activities, games, and sports are used to address topics including drug adherence, HIV prevention, puberty, sex, healthy relationships, stigma, self care, and positive living. Campers also learn personal finance, entrepreneurship, and cooking.
Sanyuka Camps have served 600 youth with HIV in 7 years. Camps are a highly effective way to engage and educate in a number of critical areas. Campers and Leaders-In-Training (former campers aged 15-17) acquire practical life skills, accurate information about HIV and other health issues, tools for building self-confidence, and in many cases, lifelong friendships. Camp staffs follow up on challenges these children face. Participants regularly report that the camp experience changed their lives.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
