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."

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