Nebraska Pride IDOL | Camp Kindle's heartART!

"MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IMPACTED BY HIV & AIDS"

Camp Kindle campers
created the original artwork
and the minnow PROJECT
enhanced their pictures to create heartART.

Each of the heartART pieces reflects the interpretation of how children affected by HIV and AIDS see the disease. The children completed the art projects during our summer camping programs. We asked the groups of children to answer a variety of questions when beginning their art project such as “If HIV was a person, what would it look like?”, “If HIV was a animal, what would it look like?”

The result is art,
which is truly creative, insightful, and honest.

The art and prints sold here will
benefit Camp Kindle and its various programs.

heartART prices:

8 x 10 - ^$30

11 x 14 - ^$55

18 x 24 - ^$105

(includes $5 shipping and handling charges per print)

BRRYAN, 15 years old
Awaken

I’m an ambassador for HIV/AIDS projects I’ve visited many congress men. I like to keep my good looks for the ladies (just kidding), listen to music, go to church and praise the “good Lord” hunting with family and friends I want to be a lawyer and someday be the president of USA.

HIV/AIDS first came into my life when I was 5 months old. I was injected with the HIV virus by my dad. I was diagnosed with AIDS when I was 5 years old. HIV/AIDS has impacted my life by not only infecting me, but also affecting my family. My family has been treated different because of my disease.

HIV/AIDS has made it so I can not join some sports and people don’t want to be my friend. There are some people who I still cannot tell that I have AIDS. It makes me feel sad that I cannot tell people because most people don’t know the facts about HIV/AIDS. You can not get HIV/Aids by talking to me or sharing the same seat with me.

I learned that people who have been impacted by HIV have been affected in many different ways. Some people are born with it, some got it from their partners, or their parents might have it but they don’t have it. Some kids are adopted because their parents died from HIV/AIDS.

Camp Kindle plays a very important role because I can feel like I belong, like a family. It is the best week of the year.

I wish the world would awake
To learn & educate
Not act like fat people eating cake
And realize that AIDS is not fake
So, I would appreciate
If you would awake….

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RENEE, 10 years old
Give me a hug

I’m a camper at Camp Kindle and I’m from Lincoln. I’m 10 years old and going into the 5th grade. I’m not infected with HIV, but my mom is. I’m a regular kid with a not so regular life.

Like I said my mom has HIV. It makes me sad because every time I look at her it doesn’t look like she does. I don’t look at her as the person that has HIV and takes meds everyday. I look at her as a person that’s my mom and doesn’t have HIV. She‘s so much fun she has so much energy and talks a lot. I guess that’s where I get it from.

One last thing I would like you to remember is just because people has HIV doesn’t mean you can make fun of people that has it and you won’t get it from touching us anything like that so fill free to give me a hug.

Dear HIV,
You’re my friend and you’re not my friend. You’re my friend
because if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be able to go to the
awesome camp: Camp Kindle. You’re not my friend because
you make all the people that are affected with it suffer such as
my mom. I really wish there was a medicine that can stop you.
You make me thing that my mom will die I hate you.
Sincerely,
Renee

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DYLAN, 14 years old
There is Hope

I’m 14 years old and a Freshmen in High school. I like to draw and I enjoy skateboarding. I also like listening to music. I really like more 80’s rock including footloose.

HIV came into my life when my parents adopted my little brother Jamel. I was about 9 years old and I remember being so excited. Then my parents told about his disease I didn’t quite understand because I was to young, but as time went ton I learned more and more about the virus and I grew to understand. My family didn’t quite understand. I remember that my aunt Lin didn’t talk with us for a very lo0ng time because of the situation. I am happy to say that she has been educated enough to where she is talking to us again. I hope that this virus does not affect your life to a point that you are afraid to be around certain people.

Thank you for listening to my story. One last thing I would like you to remember is stay true to yourself and live life to the fullest because life is to short to waist.

Dear HIV,
Why are you so dangerous. How could something like
three letters be so powerful, as to control someone’s
life, I don’t understand. Should I be a friend or should I
be a foe. I don’t understand how you can take
something so pure and try and turn it into nothing. I
am so confused. I choose foe.
Sincerely,
Dylan

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MEGGYN, 9 years old
If HIV Was a Dog

If I could be any animal in the world it would be a cheetah because they are fast. If I could snap my fingers and have one super power I could cure people with HIV. If I were famous it would be for my million dollar smile.

My brother Brryan has HIV. Sometimes I feel sad when I think about my brother’s disease. If I could write HIV a letter I would say to it.

Dear HIV,
I feel happy because you bring me to Camp Kindle. I
feel sad because my brother has to take medicine
because of you. You hurt my brother and I love him
very much. I wish you would go away. HIV would be
a mean doggie if it was an animal with rabbis.
Sincerely,
Meggyn

One last thing I would like you to remember is that I wish there was a cure for HIV.

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ANNONYMOUS
I’m Still A Kid

This camper wrote that the colors of the picture represent different things.

Red is the blood
Brown is the bad cells
Green is the good cells

Because this child would like to remain anonymous, we chose another camper, Tommy, that wrote a poem echoing the sentiment portrayed in the title “I’m Still a Kid”…

Better day are ahead
For those who live with HIV/AIDS,
By accepting that you can help other kids.
Hope in the future,
That others will let us live our lives
So we can enjoy ourselves.

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ALYSSA, 13 years old
Home sweet home

I’m Alyssa. I’m 13 years old and I’m from California. The house I chose to draw was a mansion. This mansion signifies HIV. HIV is a disease that could not be seen outside of a person. That’s why I drew a beautiful mansion to symbolize HIV if HIV were a house.

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REINA, 11 years old
Change

Reina was asked to write a letter to HIV as if it were a person, here is what she had to say…

Dear HIV,
You have made so many people sad including my mother and myself. My life has changed in so many ways, not all of them are bad but most of them are. First of all how dare you take so many lives of so many wonderful people. My best friend is always scared that I’m gonna leave her. Sometimes I’m scared too. Thanks to Camp Kindle I can just be myself for 1 week of the year. HIV I don’t hate you but I really really really really really really really really don’t like you.

Sincerely,
Reina

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CHARLIE, 15 years old
Cure

HIV makes me feel mad because I did nothing to deserve to
get it. It’s because of HIV that I have to keep secrets from
my friends. I hope one day they find a cure. When I need
support I go to my parents or doctor. Camp Kindle has
helped me to meet other people with HIV

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ANTHONY, 15 years old
Days of My Life

I like putting puzzler together when there is nothing to do. I live with my aunt and uncle. I try to visit my mom every summer. I also like to play golf. It’s one of my favorite sports. Another one of my favorite sports. I try to sign up for it every year at school.

My uncle was the one infected with AIDS. And I’m worried about him a lot, I just hope he doesn’t die soon. That’s what I’m worried about. I’ve lived with him for 12 years now. I would like to make it to 16 years. That’s when I will move out.

AIDS has no problem with me
That’s why it’s a mystery
I don’t love it, I don’t like it
If it were hair, I wouldn’t spike it
If it were an animal, it wouldn’t be loved
If it were a person, it wouldn’t be hugged
It doesn’t have a life it can’t live outside
It doesn’t have anyone to stand beside

Dear HIV
I worry about my uncle a lot. I fear that he
might die soon. I really wish he didn’t have HIV.
I wish it didn’t exist. I am proud of him for trying
to fight the disease for this long. I feel that my
life just wouldn’t be the same without him.

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DIANA, 15 years old
Envy

I am 15 year’s old and I’m here with my older brother and younger sister. My favorite color is blue and pink. In my spare time and I love dance and I’m also in my church choir. I also like to read and watch T.V.

HIV/AIDS first came into my life when I was about 10 years old. My adopted mom sat me and my younger sister and told us that we are infected with HIV. She said that it was passed on from our birth mom. She told don’t just be thankful being alive and having good health.

HIV/AIDS has impacted my life because it has changed me to making good decision to keep my good health. It scares me sometimes to see my sister have to take medicine. I feel lucky because I’m undetectable but don’t have to take medicine. Sometimes I feel different when I’m around my friend’s because I don’t want them to know and I feel out of place.

I learned in speak out is how to share, to care, to love, to cry, to laugh, to have fun and that everybody is the same.

Camp Kindle give me a place where I can be myself and talk about HIV with out being given a dirty look or acting funny around me. I love Camp Kindle and everybody in it and I smile at the time I get to come here. I wish that everyone in the world was like the people at Camp Kindle people who care and won’t talk about you just because you are infected.

Design the day that we
Each know the time to
Achieve our dreams.
That we goal for and that
HIV won’t stop us

If HIV were a person, this is the picture I drew. The yellow hair means it’s alive it only have to have yellow hair. The black means anger. Everytime his eyebrows and cheeks go black it’s angry. The green eyes means it’s jealous. And the pink means it’s about to attack. The purple is it’s skin and the blue is the insides of it’s body. And it goes around giving people HIV because he’s jealous of them…

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SUE, 12 years old
Escape

I am from Kansas City, Missouri and this is my 3rd year at Camp Kindle. I will be in the 8th grade at St. Elizabeth School. I love to listen to music, read and learn new things. I spend most of my time working on my laptop and surfing the web. Whenever I am bored, I work on puzzles and brain teasers.

HIV/AIDS first came into my life when I was seven when my mom told me she was sick. HIV/AIDS has affected my life in various ways. I sometimes feel as though I’m living a lie. I am hiding my true self from everyone in the fear of not being excepted. I feel as though I’m trapped deep within myself. I have the key and the permission to release myself, but every time I try, I slip and drop the key. I know I can do it, but somethings not letting me. Somehow, although its an oxymoron, it frees me. It lets me experience different things and have different opportunities. If it wasn’t for this disease, though wreched and horrid, I woudn’t be in America. I wouldn’t be able to come to camp kindle. I wouldn’t have any of my friends.

Camp kindle is very important to me. It’s a place where I can truly be myself. I can be around people who now what it feels like to have to go through this. Whenever I feel lonely I lie on my bed and go through my yearbook. I look forward to coming back every year. I wish that everyone in the world could learn about AIDS so that the stigmas could stop. That is why I would like to be a part of speak out. Yes, I want to speak out.

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CELESTE, 12 years old
Everyday

I was born HIV positive I’m 12 years old. I’m in the 7th grade and I like to hang out with my friends. My favorite color is red and my favorite food is Mac-N-Cheese. Also, some of my hobbies are playing Double Dutch, doing art-n-crafts, playing and having fun. I like boys, shopping, boys, shopping, more boys, and more shopping!

I was born with HIV, but I really didn’t understand I was HIV positive until I was about 5 or 6. When I found out I was scared because I had to go take test. But HIV is not that bad. HIV was in my Mom and Dad’s life, but I wasn’t that close to my dad because when he found out I was HIV positive he left out of my life. HIV was a big thing when I was going to Middle School. I have HIV but its okay.

HIV/AIDS has impacted my life by me having to take medication and go to the doctor every month. Also, HIV has impacted my life by me not noing who my dad is. Also, because my stomach hurts all the time. Also, HIV has changed my life because when my cuzins get mad at me they say things like “you have HIV” And I can’t do anything because its true. All I can do is
go to my room and cry.

What I learned during Speak Out is good because I can share my felling on HIV and I can talk about things I can’t at home. Also, I learned a lot of things during speak out. On how you should share your feelings and emotions. Also, speak out gives me a chance to let everything I know and learned about HIV out.

Camp Kindle plays the second parent role. I feel wanted and safe while I’m at camp. Because the people here are cool and understanding. Also, camp plays the fun role because we do things I would never do at home because camp cares.

I wish that people won’t judge on the things we have but on who we are because we are normal people with HIV. Also I wish that someone someday could find a cure for HIV/AIDS not just for me but for everyone boy and girl, adult and child.

This is a picture of HIV. The picture has an HIV tree that represents all the adults that have HIV. Also, I drew an HIV flower that represents all the children and babies with HIV. The reason I named this picture the HIV tree is because most of the people I know was born with HIV so they probably got it from their parents who are mostly adults so the tree is like the main part of my picture. Also, the sun is HIV positive because it seems like everyday someone becomes HIV positive. So the sun is shining on all the people who are HIV positive.

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TAYLYR, 11 years old
Full House

I am 11 years old and I’m going into the 6th grade. My sister is infected with HIV/AIDS. I love to play and take care of my sister. I stick up for her when she needs help. We also love to go to camp and do lots of activities with other people this year was our first year and loved it. I hope we can come again. Camp kindle has taught me every thing I need to know about HIV/AIDS. That is a little bit about me.

I made an HIV house and the house was brown and with blue curtains on both of the windows and a chimney with hearts coming out of it. It is a HIV house that is that is full of lots and lots of love! Camp kindle plays an important part in my life it lets me have fun and forget about all the pain. I wish that every one that is affected or infected with HIV/AIDS could just forget all the pain and troubles they went through could just go away and also along with HIV/AIDS!

Dear HIV,
You made me feel sad because you put my sister take
meds. HIV has affected me by keeping a really big
secret. If I met HIV I would ask him or her why would
you make these perfect people ill they did nothing to
you HIV/AIDS has changed my life by seing my sister
take meds. When I need support I go to my nana,
mom and sister. Camp has helped me by feeling
beter and meting new friends. Thank you camp
kindle.
From,
Taylyr

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DYLAN, 15 years old
Hope is in the Stars

I was born Jan. 31, 1991. I’m 15. I grew up mobile. I moved a lot, and finally moved to New Baden, where my family adopted 3 sisters and 1 brother. My little brother has Hiv. I also have a step-grandpa that died from it.

We adopted my little brother. We knew he was positive when we adopted him, and it was hard at first trying to take care of him. I had to learn to give him meds and take care of cuts, scrapes, and falls. When I was 8, cleaning his wounds with gloves on, I felt really awkward because I didn’t understand what was happening. Now, I’m more comfortable and educated, and I’ve become very close to him. I used to be very scared; I didn’t know what to think. But now, I just want to stop it from infecting and affecting others, because it’s hard.

HIV/AIDS has impacted my life very dramatically. I’ve learned to have more empathy for people and the things that they go through. If not for this virus I don’t’ think I would be the person I am today.

I was asked to draw HIV as a plant or tree. This is what I drew. It’s a dead depressed tree. As you can see AIDS is in the knot of the tree meaning it’s harder to catch since we have great medicine now to help us live. HIV is on the noose because that is what gets ya. That is the killer. One of the branches forms the AIDS ribbon, which signifies hope. And lastly, we have to remember that hope is in the stars.

You take me into a viscous place
Abusing my thoughts mercilessly,
Your rude intentions of useless mind
games have the worst effect on
my life.
My heart is inflamed in the fiercest
passion of hatred towards you,
I will never give into your
cruel epidemic.

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DOMINQUE, 13 years old
Kindling Dreams

Hello, my name is Dominique. I am from Chicago, IL and I have been to Camp Kindle two times. I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. My favorite color is blue. I like to play games. I like to play basketball. I think that I am very good. I love to watch tv. I watch a lot of basketball games. I saw the game when the Miami Heat won. My dream is to be a lawyer.

HIV/AIDS first came into my life when I was born. Camp Kindle encourages me to do things that kids with HIV/AIDS does. I wish that….there was a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Dear HIV,
HIV/AIDS makes me feel a little sad because I
know that there is not a cure. HIV has
affected me by making me a better person.
Camp Kindle has helped me to make friends.
From,
Dominique

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DAISY, 14 years old
Life Lessons

Daisy is 14 years old and is from Colorado. Daisy was born HIV positive in 1992. Daisy’s mother sent her to camp with the hopes that “she will form some lasting friendships and\ knowledge of how other children think & feel about their status”. Daisy drew a picture of HIV as a person and incorporated the information she learned at camp to illustrate the importance of t-cells and taking medicine. The circles in the picture represent all of her healthy t-cells and she smiling big with a big heart because she knows her medicine is helping her t-cells.

Things aren’t always so easy however, earlier in the week Daisy was instructed to think of a word that she associated with HIV and she chose the word ‘sad’. Daisy was then asked to create an acrostic poem to describe her feelings; this is what Daisy had to say…

“SAD”

Sometimes I feel sad
And
Diesappointed.

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