Amoils’ parents are from South Africa and she has made several trips to the country. Her most recent trip to South Africa, though, provoked a revelation: Maya realized just how fortunate she is.

The majority of children living there have been orphaned by AIDS and HIV and they live in absolute poverty.

“The last time I was there I handed out clothes to many of the children. On the last day I was there all the children came runner after (me) because they didn’t want us to leave,” Amoils said. One of the little girls asked Amoils how she was doing, whereupon Maya answered, “I am fine. How are you?”

The little girl replied, “I am very, very happy.” The girl was referring to the clothes and food that Amoils and her family were able to offer the children.

As a result of that trip, Amoils decided she would strive to help make a difference in those children’s lives.

“Some friends and I were at a Pancake House and we were talking about how lucky we are (for all we have) and I said I wanted to do something for those children,” Amoils said.

“In the rural area of South Africa you pass numerous tiny shacks because the people are so poor. They have absolutely nothing,” she said. Nothing includes no running water, no plumbing, no electricity and little - if any - food.

“While I was there it just hit me suddenly that these people live this way,” she said.

Based on that conversation over pancakes, a ripple effect which will favorably impact children on a different continent was created.

Amoils started a non-profit organization named H.O.P.E. - Help Other People Endure - and with the help of her friends and several local businesses, she has been able to market and sell “H.O.P.E.” t-shirts to raise money for the children of South Africa.

Thus far, Amoils has raised more than $8,000 for the organization and come July her and some friends will be traveling to South Africa to build a state-of-the-art playground for the children.

Her goal for the organization is to build a center where the children can attend, buy clothes, eat healthy food, be educated, entertained and taught how to become self-sustaining people.

Lori Tanzer is the owner of Sara Benjamin’s, a clothing store located at 6810 Wooster Pike in Mariemont, and she has been selling Amoils’ H.O.P.E. shirts.

“I think it is great what Maya is doing so I offered a place to help her cause. We have already sold more than 50 shirts. We need more already,” Tanzer, whose daughter is a friend of Amoils, said.

Maya’s mother, Sandi, said her daughter and her friends have made the organization a success without the help of parents or other adults.

“They will be going to South Africa this summer so the students can meet and connect with the children, so they can see how these children suffer. The students will then have a greater understanding,” Sandi said. “The people live in tiny, tiny shanties with thatched roofs. And the children have absolutely nothing.”

When Amoils returns from South Africa this summer after building the playground, she hopes to raise more money to ensure the other goals of H.O.P.E. become a reality.

The shirts cost $15 and are on display at Sara Benjamin’s. For more information, call the store at 272.2280.