Charity trip to South Africa makes lasting impression on Twinsburg man

by Kristin Wedemeyer Goss

If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be willing to take risks, to step out of your comfort zone, to be open to new experiences. Anthony Milia, 25, owner of digital marketing agency Milia Marketing, embraces that aspect of entrepreneurship in business and in global community service.

In August, the class of 2012 Twinsburg High School graduate packed his bags for a trip that would take him 8,400 miles.

“My significant other, Christine Varrichhio, also a Twinsburg graduate, class of 2011, told me that her former professor had open spots for a charity trip to South Africa,” said Milia. “The opportunity presented itself with someone we knew, so that’s what compelled us. It was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to see the South African culture.”

Varrichhio’s former professor is psychologist Audrey Ellenwood, founder of Project Learning Around the World. The charity benefits students in rural South African schools by providing funds for school supplies, books, playground equipment and other necessary amenities. Many of the children have lost parents to AIDS or are themselves infected with the HIV virus or suffer from tuberculosis.

Much of Milia’s time was spent learning about the various challenges facing students and families in rural South Africa, specifically in the underdeveloped townships on the outskirts of cities.

“We learned about the impact of violence on communities and ways it’s being addressed and how the lingering effects of apartheid influence attempts to transition to a new South Africa,” he said. “We became familiar with the impact of AIDS and TB, and how it hinders not only the medical but the educational and social well being of the kids.”

Among the places Milia visited was Mad About Art, an organization outside of Knysna in the Western Cape Province that is working to combat new HIV infections in children through art and education. “It is an art school and more,” said Milia. “The kids sell their art for money to get by and help them develop other skills.”

The school also focuses on building students’ self esteem in an effort to help them resist falling prey to bad habits later in life.

“Alcoholism is the biggest problem there, and you can only imagine what that leads to,” he said, “domestic violence, rape, theft etc. and unemployment.”

Milia, who studied in France, Italy and Switzerland during his undergraduate years at Kent State University, said South Africa is a country that is misunderstood.

“South Africa is not a third world country as many people think. It’s a second world country, and it’s seeing a lot of development in its cities and economy,” said Milia. “At some moments, it didn’t even feel like I was outside of the United States. I was comfortable with my surroundings. Some parts are booming, but other communities, like the townships where there is a great deal of poverty, are challenged due to unemployment and crime … But they are hopeful. The people with very little had the most hope, which spoke a lot to me.”

Milia said the local marketplaces gave him some of the best chances to get to know the South African people and find common ground. “I often made special connections to the craftsmen and artists selling their work. I enjoyed learning about their work, their background history, families,” he said. “These people hustled and were passionate about their work. That’s something I value.”

While the trip was predominantly an educational experience, Milia hopes his next South African visit will involve some sweat equity.

“Moving forward, I’d like to look into hands-on opportunities, like building schools or shelters in communities that need help the most, whether it’s due to poverty or natural disasters,” he said. “I have a passion for learning about different cultures and helping people.”

Now, Milia volunteers closer to home by mentoring aspiring social and digital marketing mavens as well as entrepreneurs in general at the University of Akron’s Taylor Institute, Kent State University and at Young Entrepreneurs Institute at University School.

Featured image photo caption: Anthony Milia, a 2012 Twinsburg High School graduate, spent three weeks in South Africa over the summer attending seminars about the mental, social, emotional and behavioral health needs of rural residents. Photo courtesy of Anthony Milia