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December 2nd, 160 girls, ages 10-16, from all over Uganda came together for GLOW, a week long girls’ empowerment camp. Upon arrival at St. Theresa’s Primary School the girls were broken up into groups of 11, each group was an African animal, warthog, giraffes, elephants, and so on. Every group had two counselors, a PCV and their Ugandan counterpart.
The girls going through the spider web during the communication session
Each day had a different theme: GLOWing with: good self-esteem, teamwork, strong bodies, a bright future, and leadership. After breakfast the girls would head to their first session with their counselors. There were 4 sessions every day, two before lunch and two after. The sessions covered various topics in healthy living, teamwork, IGAs (income generating activities), and life skills.
Tie-dye session!
Listening to a guest speaker under the mango tree
Making RUMPS (reusable menstrual pads)
Bethany taught a session on Women’s health
We had a tea break at 11:00 and this was when the girls participated in DEAR, drop everything and read. The staff supervised the campers during this time, and facilitated a reading session. DEAR was one of my favorite activities at camp! The stories the girls’ read had to do with the theme of the day. When we were “GLOWing with strong bodies” the passage for the day gave information about the different parts of the brain, that session was really fun.
Erica taught pita making
The girls rolling out their pita
The cheetahs playing telephone
Stretching before the obstacle course (Photo credit: Liz Skeris)
Playing Red Light, Green Light
There was a camp activity every day before lunch, like an obstacle course or scavenger hunt. The girls LOVED the obstacle course (piggy back -> 3 legged race -> fill a jug of water -> lead your blind folded partner around cones -> jump benches -> shoot a football) and the scavenger hunt; Mary made it an adventure for them! When the sessions were over for the day the girls were given the opportunity to choose their next activity. Every evening 4 “free choice” activities were offered for an hour, I led yoga and football one day while others led hip hop, friendship bracelet making, journaling, drama, ultimate frisbee, and trivia. There were different activities after dinner also – two days Robyn and I led capture the flag (which I had NO idea how to explain, thank goodness Robyn did), and there was a movie night, talent show, and dance. The ambassador came on Tuesday, which meant a lot to the girls. He sat with them and took some pictures, and they were given the opportunity to ask him some questions such as, “what did you study in school?”
Ambassador DeLisi taking questions
The glow girls with Ambassador DeLisi and Loucine, the PC Uganda Country Director (Photo Credit: Liz Skeris)
Making change purses
Free choice yoga!
Prossy, me, Sarah on field day
Volleyball on field day (photo credit: Liz Skeris)
My Iceme girls!
Tara with some of her rhinos
Camp was tiring, but it was incredible. I think this was my favorite camp so far. Chelsea and Leah, the directors, did an amazing job – they were organized and kept things light hearted and fun! It is strange how slow camp seems to progress at the beginning of the week, but before you know it the girls are hugging you goodbye. Watching the girls transform from insecure, quiet individuals into confident, proud women surrounded by new friends is one of the most rewarding experiences I have been privileged enough to witness while in Uganda. So much went on at camp, I could probably write pages and pages about it, but there is only so much I can put into words. Liz was the media person at camp, and wrote a detailed post every day, so if you want more information about what went down check out the blog, http://glowuganda2012.blogspot.com/
It’s kind of strange… National GLOW was the last big thing on my Peace Corps to-do list, and it is over. I am on the final stretch of my service, it is exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.
p.s. my next post will come to you from Cape Town!
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What an incredible experience for the girls! It’s too bad that it is limited to such a small number. The Peace Corps should consider having “Glow” camps all year long in order to let more girls participate. I am so glad that the girls were introduced to “DEAR”. That was always one of my favorite classroom activities and hopefully one that will last a lifetime.
Comment by Barbara Demko December 14, 2012 @ 7:36 pmIn some ways I am sorry that your time in Uganda is coming to an end, because I think you have so much to offer and have been a very positive influence on many young girls. That said, however, I am glad that you will be coming home soon. We all miss you very much. Love and hugs!