What is Camp Amandla?

Camp Amandla is a non-profit organization in Cape Town, South Africa. We were established in 2007 due to the vast needs of HIV/AIDS infected/affected children in South Africa’s townships. After many long kitchen table talks we set out to create a children’s adventure camp that would focus on the short term and long term needs of these special children. Our participants come from all different religions and areas. They might live with an HIV/AIDS positive family member and see the effects of this terrible virus everyday or they themselves may be infected and scared.

Around the world HIV/AIDS is terribly misunderstood, it is a disease that is surrounded by myths and lies. Individuals, communities and entire governments are ill-informed and afraid of HIV/AIDS. At Camp Amandla we strive to break down these barriers and dissolve these fears with a hope for the future. A hope for a world without stigma and fear, our hope is for a world without HIV/AIDS. But until then we aim to provide an environment that helps our children to speak openly about HIV/AIDS while enjoying the daily activities of an overnight adventure camp. While attending Camp Amandla each participant is encouraged to face their fears about living with HIV/AIDS in a safe environment that offers emotional, psychological and medical support 24 hours a day. We emPOWER our kids to strive for a healthy lifestyle that can be continued long after camp ends.

What is a "typical day" at Camp Amandla like?

Each camp will be ten days long and will focus on a three part system that includes education, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, and life skills lesson, all while emphasizing an intense passion for serious fun. A day at Camp Amandla is never boring or routine, excitement lies around every corner and the days are jam packed with creative, athletic and challenging activities. Some of our activities include: camp wide games, cricket, rugby, beach volleyball and futbol, art and crafts, nature walks, team building exercises, lower ropes course, choir, swimming lessons(depending on the season), drama club, stargazing, abseiling, hiking,canoe and kayak day trips, beach days and so much more.

Who Participates?

All of our participants come from different parts of Cape Town, South Africa. They are all township residents from the Northern Suburbs such as Dunoon and Atlantis. Our kids range in age from 8-13 years of age.

What happens after camp?

As an organization we realize that life continues to be difficult and challenging for our kids long after camp concludes. In an effort to help ease them into everyday life we emPOWER them to continue to deal with life successfully by encouraging them to attend bi-monthly mini camps that are facilitated by our staff in the townships. These days are modeled after a "typical day" at camp. The kids will be able to play games, make crafts and will once again be encouraged to speak openly about any fears or concerns they have met since camp concluded. The mini camps also help reaffirm the connections between all our kids and their counselors and camp mentors. This connection can prove invaluable in the later months and years when our kids are dealing with really hard days. Furthermore, by attending these activities participants are encouraged to continue to "live positively with HIV" while being offered the continuous emotional, psychological and medical support that they need.

Where do we operate?

The Wortelgat Outreach Trust in picturesque Stanford (about 10km outside of Hermanus) is currently the home of Camp Amandla. They have excellent facilities and an amazing staff that are willing to go the extra mile to make sure our kids have an incredible camp experience.
You can view their website here..