Camp Simba

Cancer is one of the No.1 killers in Society today!

When Caner hits a love one, not only is a patient affected, but the a family’s whole routine and schedule is affected as well. Normal life is dealt with the prospect of a loved one being lost forever.

When Cancer affects a Parent, how does a child cope?

Daddy and Mummy are no longer as active as they used to be, and children have to deal with the fact, that Daddy or Mummy may not be there forever.

Camp Simba therefore aims to bring some normality into the lives of these children. How about a fun-filled camp that will allow these children to just enjoy the simple pleasure of being a child without worries again. With a positive and safe environment for the kids to express themselves, the camp hope to build kids with the self-esteem to help them cope with life. In addition, by helping to take care of their children for a weekend, we hope to give the parents some time alone, and give the care-taker some respite.

Camp Simba 2013, is a 3-day-2-night camp that is oganized annually for the children of cancer patients. Currently in its 5th year of running, the camp is run by Medical Students who have a heart for the community. Here is a brief email interview that I did with Lim Fangyi, who is the director of this year’s camp:

       1) What is Camp Simba and what does it mean?

Simba is a Swahili word for courage. Additionally, Simba is eponymous with the lion in The Lion King, which symbolizes the values of strength, courage & wisdom which we hope the children will learn in order to cope with the added responsibilities & emotional burden of having parents & close relatives being diagnosed with cancer.

2) How did the idea come about?

Camp Simba was conceived in 2009 after our founder was inspired by the meaningful nature of Camp Kesem, a similar summercamp for children of cancer patients which was founded by Stanford University students in 2001 & has since expanded to include 37 student chapters across the United States.

3) Who are the beneficiaries?

Children whose parents & close relatives undergoing treatment for cancer, in remission or deceased from cancer.

4) Why Camp Simba?

We strongly believe in our camp’s aims of:

– Providing children whose parents & close relatives were diagnosed with cancer with an opportunity to have fun

– Building strong lasting bonds between the children & facilitators, & facilitating the formation of a Simba community

– Providing cancer patients’ families with some time to themselves

These children have been forced to grow up before their time instead of enjoying their childhood, taking on added responsibilities & carrying a heavy emotional burden. As such, the camp allows them to have fun & enjoy their childhood, while serving as an avenue for them to form bonds with other children undergoing a similar plight & facilitators who altogether form a Simba community which the children can turn to for help, care & support whenever necessary.

       5) Are all helpers from NUS?

All student volunteers are from Duke-NUS & NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

6) How can anyone volunteer to be part of this project?

Interested sponsors & parents who would like to enrol their children in the camp may contact us at campsimba@gmail.com or find out more at www.campsimba.org