Simunye Initiative

The Simunye Initiative was originally formed by Ilan Schwartz as a group of students from the University of Manitoba Medical Sciences in Winnipeg and has since grown to include additional concerned global citizens. The name "Simunye" is borrowed from a Zulu term meaning, "we are united". The Simunye Initiative's goal is to elicit support for the Hillcrest AIDS Centre, a non-governmental, non-profit organization whose mission is "to give unconditional love to all those infected, and affected, by AIDS."

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Simunye raises money for the Hillcrest AIDS Centre through the sale of what they call "Little Travellers". Little Travellers are unique beaded doll pins made by women affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa, as part of an income-generation project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre. These pins are shipped to Canada, where Simunye then sells them for $5 each through local stores and other fundraiser events, and most recently through their website as well.

In its first year and a half of existence, the Simunye Initiative have brought over 8,000 dolls to Winnipeg, raising over $45,000 for the centre.

References:

• Fighting the Right Fight, Uptown Magazine, November 30th, 2006
• The Inspiring Saga of the Angel from Winnipeg, Winnipeg Sun, November 29th, 2006
• Dolls raise R150 000 for Aids centre, South Africa's Highway Mail, June 16th, 2006
• Students Organise to Fight AIDS in Africa, The Uniter, February 23rd, 2006
• Doll a must-have item, Winnipeg Free Press, February 1st, 2006