A medical clinic in Kenya has a bright ray of hope thanks to ShAIDS of Grey in Hamilton.

Running for its third consecutive year, ShAIDS of Grey is a theatre production created and performed by members of Empowerment Squared (formerly CURE Canada), a non-profit organization dedicated to building stable environments rooted in peace, independence and self-sufficiency, founded by McMaster students and alumni.

This year the performance, which follows the story of a journalist who travels to Africa in search of a greater understanding of the AIDS pandemic, will be in support of something the members of Empowerment Squared have been working toward for a long time: a fully-equipped HIV/AIDS clinic in Kalamba, Kenya.

"Last year we performed a needs assessment at the clinic site and found that it had very little in the way of supplies and a desperate lack of personnel," said Michael Pett, producer and director of the play. "The clinic is eligible for assistance from the Kenyan government, but it needs to have trained staff in place first. That's where the ShAIDS funding comes in."

Proceeds from the production, back in Hamilton after a stint at the Betty Oliphant Theatre in Toronto, will support the development of the ShAIDS of Grey Centre for HIV/AIDS in the small village of approximately 20,000 people, located two hours south of Nairobi.

"We don't want to be a crutch, but we do want to help," said Pett. "The funding from the show will give the clinic the boost it needs to begin helping the people in the community who need it most."

Through vignettes, songs and dances, ShAIDS of Grey weaves the stories of those affected by AIDS together into a narrative intended to debunk preconceived notions about the disease and those afflicted by it. The main character's journey yields more questions than answers, a reflection of the disease's reality.

The play also features characters based on the Kalamba clinic including a nurse named Mueni, played by Samantha Walkes.

"ShAIDS of Grey started out small, but through lots of hard work and sacrifice over the years, it has developed into a truly captivating production," said Leo Johnson, executive director of Empowerment Squared. "What started out as an idea has now become a reality and we're committed to keeping that inspiring energy alive."