How does one describe an
event that took one whole year to plan and is now completed and over? Well…from
the beginning of course. Camp GLOW (Girls and Guys Leading Our World) 2016 has
been one of the highlights of my service. Camp had a theme this year, Footsteps Toward Our Future. Camp was a
chance for six teachers and 24 grade ten students, two boys and two girls from
six schools to come together for a week and create something magical.
Misi and I ran around the week before camp like chickens
with our heads cut off. We were trying to finalize last minute details, shop
for everything, make sure counterparts were booked, just the two of us against
the world…okay not the world but against The Gambia throwing us curve balls for
sure. The week before Camp GLOW, my mid-service training was scheduled as well
as a staff retreat which made planning and organizing a bit more challenging
than we had both expected. Luckily, we had the help of our fairy godfather’s
Samanka and Haruna. They helped us buy everything we needed as well as loaded
it all on to the vehicle the day we left Kombo for Massembeh.
Misi and I were exaughsted and camp had not even begun
yet. Then, the Gambia got us again! Our PCV staff were supposed to be arriving
on Saturday which was announced to be setsetal (a day where everything is
closed until 1pm for country wide cleaning, no cars are allowed on the road).
Miraculously, everyone got to Massembeh on Saturday after a rough travel day. Sunday
we started decorating and preparing for the campers arrival. As schools started
showing up Misi and I got them checked in and welcomed them to camp. We then
sent them on a Passport scavenger hunt to get familiar with the camp grounds.
There was a station for piñatas, one with basketball, one with identifying
American snacks, one with dance, and one for yoga, they loved it. We held a
Campfire the first night we sang and laughed through some hilarious dance
moves. We also taught the kids the Camp GLOW cheer that Teila created for camp:
Aasalaamelekuum, yes we say peace unto you
Take a bow, shake a hand, greet the
day, woo woo
We are guys and girls taking steps
to lead the world
And the change will start today,
atcha, let’s go, Camp GLOW!
Day 2 we woke the kids up with a pre-test on gender
equality, community involvement, and healthy home life. We started round robins
on this day where each school got to go to a station. We had tie and dye, mural
painting, yoga, dancing, media, and beading. The campers were having so much
fun with each and they were so excited that they would all get to do one
station each day. On one of the card questionnaires we asked them where their
favorite place to be was and they all said Massembeh. For sports we played
basketball and did a glow stick hunt in the dark.
Day 3 we had a gender swap relay race where campers had
to perform activities that are usually accepted as one gender’s task over
another. They had to plow the fields, pound coos, count back change, run with
water buckets on their heads, and carry babies on their backs. We held our
first gender talk around the campfire. This experience is where girls and guys
split up and discuss difficult topics they could not normally discuss in their
own homes. We spoke about marrying too young, sugar daddies, sexual harassment,
mental health, and suicide. These tenth grade girls have been through so much
already and still realize the value of education and want to make the best of
themselves. As difficult as these conversations were to sit in on, they were
inspiring as well.
Day 4 was a day full of activity. We had two round robins
today and two sports. We played capture the flag water war style with three
teams: green, pink, and yellow. I was on the green team, sadly we did not win,
but yellow came out of nowhere with a victory to be spoken of for generations.
We played ultimate Frisbee after and the campers loved it so much. You may be
wondering when the kids had time for learning. Rest assured they were busy from
dawn until way past dusk with lessons and fun. We taught them about s’mores
around the campfire and they absolutely loved them.
Day 5 we made the campers pancakes and they were a huge
hit. We wanted them to experience some American foods as well as their
traditional Gambian cuisine. This day was volleyball day for sports. In the
evening we watched Mulan and talked about what they saw in the film. They
really enjoyed the movie and understood a ton of key concepts and ideas. This
is the day that I realized the campers were really starting to feel empowered
and find their own personal voices. I sat on the steps and watched as they
played sports and felt the glow of pride wash over me for each and every one of
them. I saw them walk into camp not sure about how to be or how to behave and
sitting on the step seeing them laughing and talking about their ideas and
dreams made me tear up. Not at what Misi and I had done, but at how truly
wonderful the students were.
Day 6 there was another gender talk where we discussed
assault, sexual violence, hardships, and overcoming financial barriers. We
discussed things Americans cannot even imagine. We are so privileged in the
life we live and we do not even realize it until 12 young, beautiful, strong,
independent, tenth graders come together to share their testimonies. I went to
bed feeling grateful, sad about these young women’s struggles, and determined
to keep encouraging the youth of this country and every country I work in to
follow their hearts, dreams, and to live the lives they have imagined.
Day 7 came too quickly for everyone. We gave the campers
their post test and they improved significantly on every single section of the
test since the beginning of the week. We held our closing ceremonies and Peace
Corps The Gambia’s Country Director Jennifer, Programming Manager Greg, US Embassy
Ambassador Patricia Alsup all were in attendance. The event was lovely we
awarded the campers for participation, gave out certificates of appreciation,
and had traditional dancers perform for us. There were 3 konkorans (see
Konkoran Kookiness for definition), and Ziimba’s (a traditional warrior dance
in hunting for a lion). Misi and I were so proud of the kids and teachers for
all they accomplished during the week.
Day 8 was a morning full of tears as PCV staff said
goodbye to campers and saddest yet, as campers said their goodbyes to one
another. We all sang the cheer one last time. We walked them to the gate and
all threw our hands up into a tunnel for the kids to walk through as we sang
our goodbye song. We cleaned up Massembeh and debriefed the event. Overall, a
huge success. Now what?
The work does not end here Misi and I came back to Kombo
to unload everything and write thank you’s. We also have to close the grant out
after a post trek to the schools. I am so proud of the work we put into this
event and the results of it, not only were the campers’ lives changed, so were
ours.
Our goals were to encourage participants to analyze the
benefits and consequences of gender roles, gender issues, and gender empowerment
in their culture. Educate the participants on reproductive and sexual health,
HIV/AIDS, STI’s, healthy relationships, and family planning. Use life skills
sessions to focus on communication skills, public speaking, and decision making
to build self-confidence in participants.
Teach participants how to effectively disseminate Camp GLOW topics such
as gender equality, healthy lifestyle choices, and team work in their home
communities. Enhance teachers' knowledge of how to implement gender equitable
practices within the classroom, student-centered teaching, and creating
extra-curricular programs which will encourage students to get involved in
their community. Motivate the participants to use their positive behaviors and
decision making skills to be role models in their communities and schools. Promote
positive healthy relationships between males and females based on respect and
equality. Encourage the participants to share knowledge gained in their home
communities and schools by establishing or working with existing peer clubs at
their schools. Establish partnerships with local organizations/government
offices. We did it and so much more!
Thank you to every
single person who made this possible, the list would take up six pages but
truly and deeply from the bottom of my heart thank you!
Misi,
35 forever
Love, Coleen
