camp GLOW
camp G.L.O.W. 2010 “I’m Gonna Stand”
August 2010
Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) was created by Peace Corps Volunteers in Romania in the early 1990′s and since has been adapted in several countries where Peace Corps Volunteers serve. for the last year or so, our group has been planning our 8-day girls’ empowerment camp in Mponela, just north of Lilongwe (capital city). there were about 90 girls there from all over the country attending this camp. i haven’t experienced so much enormous female energy since cheerleading camp when i was in highschool!
I did not have the capacity to help with planning much of the camp, so i decided to help more with implementation, and volunteer to be a camp counselor. this meant long days, from 6:30am to 10:30pm! i also taught a few classes/sessions, like journalling and dance. it was really long, exhausting week but overall so much fun! we even had the vice president of Malawi come and speak, since she is a woman and a huge role model for the young ladies of this country.
The best part about this camp was that you could see the change take place in these girls. we always here that “change happens so slowly” here in africa, and many developing countries. and this is so true. however, in the course of a week, the transformation of these girls was tangible. they became confident young ladies, learning how to be assertive and plan for their futures, and that GIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING! over the course of the week they learned how to stand for themselves, their bodies, their heritage, their country, their choices, and their future.
it really warmed my heart to know that i made a difference in the lives of these young women. to date, it has probably been the best experience in my service. so a big ZIKOMO KWAMBIRI (thank you very much) to those who were able to donate to the camp. its a very good cause that needs to continue in countries such as this one.
Daniella said,
October 12, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Sounds awesome!! Glad you could be a part of that!