Children who live with chronic and/or life-threatening health conditions can have a tough time finding acceptance with others and achieving a normal lifestyle. For children with HIV/AIDS, it is an extreme challenge: fighting the virus, dealing with the day-to-day limitations imposed by the condition, and coping with the attitudes, ignorance, and, worse, misinformation about the virus. Due to the stigma attached to their disease, children suffering from HIV/AIDS are often forced to do so in silence and secrecy.

One organization dedicated to providing infected or affected children with an opportunity for fun in a relaxed and safe setting, is the Western Canadian Pediatric AIDS Society. Every summer since 1998 they have provided a summer camping experience, Camp Moomba, to children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The word "moomba" is from an Australian Aboriginal term meaning "join together to have fun" and encapsulates the camp philosophy of "friends together having fun."

At camp, the children can participate in a wide range of activities while building friendships and self-confidence.

Art and art-related activities are very important in the scheme of things at Camp Moomba. On the one hand there is the value of art therapy to people with chronic health or family problems, and on the other there is the sheer fun of creativity. The Art Therapy program, long an important part of meeting the emotional needs of the children, allows them access to art therapists working from a dedicated art centre throughout each day. At Camp Moomba, the overriding goal is for campers to return to their homes with increased self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and pride of achievement. Art plays a large part in reaching this goal.

As part of our donations program, Opus' mandate is to assist non-profit visual arts organizations and art education whenever possible. By providing art materials to non-profit arts organizations, we support the community that supports us. Opus is happy to contribute to the success of the art therapy program, an important part of the camping experience, by donating materials for the art therapy program at Camp Moomba.

If you would like more information or would like to help the WCPAS with the cost of running the Camp, visit www.campmoomba.com, call 604-684-1701 or write to the Western Canadian Pediatric AIDS Society (WCPAS), 1260 Hornby St. Suite 104, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1W2.