Girls just wanna raise funds
Arts/Life
Posted By CATHY PELLETIER, THE CHRONICLE
Posted 1 month ago
Bohemian Friday was in the pink last week, as the Queen Street café opened its doors to Camp Stella Puella.
Led by sisters Yasmin and Mina Kazemi and their cousin, Julia Falco, the camp -meaning 'Star Girl' in Latin -is currently running its third summer of socially-conscious programs for girls from their Helena Street home. The three teens share a passion for children and volunteering.
As part of this summer's efforts to collect donations for Free the Children, the campers, clad in pink fair trade T-shirts, filled Bohemian Friday with trays of fair trade baked goods Thursday.
Donning homemade chef hats, younger girls handed out cupcakes and cookies to guests while others performed songs, dances and poetry to get the crowd in a generous mood. While savouring the snacks, parents, grandparents and patrons were treated to an inspirational morning.
A few highlights included Laura Falco's rendition ofWhen I Ruled The Worldand Laura and Kelly Falco's duet. Dressed in her tutu, Natalie Gervais danced ballet while Mina and Yasmin Kazemi sang Imagine, accompanied by Liz Falco on piano.
The girls made up a song about girls' education to the tune, Hey Soul Sister, and all campers performed a patriotic tribute to Canada, waving maple leaf flags and multicoloured ribbons while singing,Waving Flag.Girls wandered among the crowd, holding placards with messages of peace and the audience joined in by clapping.
After serving up sweets, five-year-old Paige Evans -perched on a stool onstage -shared her thoughts on Camp Stella Puella.
"I feel empowered when I learn something new," she said.
"I'm happiest when I help others. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor. If I could change something in the world, it would be the hunger of kids. I feel lucky to be in Canada because there are fireworks. I can do anything if I put my mind to it."
On their way out, audience members contributed to a donation box, covered in signs expressing the campers' sentiments, such as "Buy fair trade coffee," "Stop bullying," and "Make all third-world countries into first-world."
"The girls were so thankful for all the donations and to (café owner) Dick Passmore, who kindly allowed us to use their space," said Mina and Yasmin.
The funds will be used to build a school in Kenya.
As in previous years, camp themes include self-esteem, teamwork, leadership, activism and awareness, centred around learning and fun activities such as scavenger hunts, safaris, drama, and arts and crafts, as well as physical fitness.
At Camp Stella Puella's first week, 16 girls and four leaders-in-training (LITs) learned about the lack of opportunity for education in other countries.
Highlights included "travelling around the world to learn more about these issues," said camp leaders. "With passports, the girls visited countries like the Congo, Kenya, Haiti and the Ivory Coast, where they understood the barriers for girls to go to school and they participated in interactive activities."
Campers also worked on two local initiatives this week, picking veggies at the Shared Harvest Community Farm and donating decorated baskets of food to the Salvation Army.
In keeping with the theme of education, they also collected books for the Dunnville Library.
"Another highlight was our first ever LIT campout," said Mina. "With canoeing, campfire and sleepover, the girls seemed to develop a special bond and lasting friendship."
This year, the camp also plans to welcome boys for the first time, with a second week of girls' camp running Aug. 2-6 (including the Civic Holiday Aug. 3), and one week of boys' camp running from Aug. 16 to 20.
"We are still keeping a waiting list, but the second week is full at the moment," said Mina.
Further information about Camp Stella Puella is available by calling 905-774-8601, or via e-mail: campstellapuella@gmail.com
