Camp GLOW - Day 1

From our small yet diverse country of Uganda— passionately known as The Pearl of Africa—155 young girls and dozens of Peace Corps Volunteers eagerly spent their day traversing the country to converge for Peace Corps Uganda's inaugural Camp GLOW. Though organized and developed tirelessly by Peace Corps Volunteers, ultimately the camp exists to empower each and every girl through activities focusing on self-esteem building, goal setting, health knowledge, behavior change and environmental concern. The mix of excitement and anxious nerves amongst all was present and the journey—nearly a whole day for some—was exhausting, but from the arrival of the very first camper, clearly Camp GLOW was going to be a success. As the campers arrived one by one and in droves, many as strangers, new friendships were quickly being formed. Divided in to 16 different groups, each being led by both a Peace Corps Volunteer and a local Ugandan counselor, the girls all began to settle in to their dormitories and to prepare themselves for an enlightening week to come. As each group was given various animal names such as Lions, Ostriches or Cranes to name a few, the expected bonds were clearly being formed as each group enthusiastically began to create unique cheers often in reflection of their given mascot.

Each camper was given a T-shirt and a manual that contained all the information to be presented over the week and after supper the first opportunity to bring all the campers and staff together occurred. As everyone came together to be officially introduced to the various Camp GLOW Staff members, the evening was filled with numerous skits and songs. Though the camp was just beginning, the feel and mood of campers and staff was incredibly jovial and the energy of all was amazing. Already the potential of the goals of the camp were being realized and yet the sessions had yet to begin. These 155 girls are the future, and their drive and energy through the coming week will not only impact their lives but will empower them to be advocates for all of their friends and family in their homes.

Camp GLOW is COMING!

We are getting read for Camp GLOW coming up in December. Here is some information to give you a clearer picture. Also check out our website at: www.campglowuganda.yolasite.com

What is Camp GLOW (“Girls Leading Our World”)?
Camp GLOW is an initiative by the United States Peace Corps in Uganda. It started in the country of Romania in 1995. This camp, generally for all girls, focuses on empowerment activities including, but not limited to, health education, life skills, career goals, sports, creative arts and Ugandan women in leadership roles (business, government, etc). The activities will help the girls gain skills to lead a happy, healthy and successful life. This year is the first-ever Camp GLOW in Uganda. 100-150 girls will attend from all over the country. All the girls are between the ages of 13 and 15 and are either in primary school, secondary school or out-of-school in other programs. The camp will be run by Peace Corps Volunteers, along with Ugandan female community members, who will act as both counselors and camp staff during the week-long event. The girls have all been nominated by a local Peace Corps Volunteer, who they’ve probably had much contact with in the past 6-24 months. There will be no male counselors, only a few male Peace Corps Volunteers as staff to assist with the daily activities throughout the week.

When is Camp GLOW?
It will be held 5-11 December 2010. Everyone will arrive on the 5th and depart on the morning of the 11th.

Where will Camp GLOW be held?
Camp GLOW will be held in Wakiso District, in Kisubi Village off Entebbe Road. The camp will be held at St.Theresa Kisubi Girls Primary School. The school’s Head Teacher will be present, along with a security guard and the school nurse for the duration of the camp.

What are the costs for attending the camp?
Each girl will be responsible for paying 10,000 UGX towards their participation in this camp. All other costs will be covered by various private donors. She can obtain the necessary 10,000 UGX either from her family, school or from private businesses in your village/town that would like to support her. This 10,000 is so that every girl has an active investment in her participation in the camp. Transport costs will be paid for the girls.

How will the girls get to the camp?
There are 15 Peace Corps Volunteers (counselors) and Ugandan counterparts who will be traveling from all regions of Uganda. The girls will meet up with these counselors in a large town in your region. They will then travel together to Entebbe. This will all be arranged closer to December. The Volunteer will be in touch with all girls in her area and find a way to meet so the girls are not traveling alone. They Volunteers will also travel back with the girls after the camp has ended.

How is the camp organized?
All girls will be in groups of 10 with one Ugandan female counselor and one Peace Corps female counselor. These counselors will always be with the girls. The girls will move throughout the day in their groups to attend sessions on health education, HIV/AIDS, life skills, sports, arts and crafts and music, in addition to other topics. Each day there will also be a guest speaker (Ugandan) who will present to the girls and spend the day with them. Currently, we are expecting a business woman, a musician, a Member of Parliament and a university professor. These women will be role models for the girls, exemplifying that girls can do any career. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch and supper will be provided for all the girls.

Community Integration

Community integration is one of the most important aspects of empowerment. Once you know your community and they have accepted you as one of their own, then you can really understand the needs of your community and what will sustainably benefit them as a whole. This is one of the goals of Peace Corps and is something each volunteer holds close to their heart. By learning the local language and joining in sports, meals, church, introduction/wedding ceremonies and any other local activity volunteers gain a position that will forever effect the lives of their community members. Once integrated into your community people are more than willing to share with you their problems and needs.

Oyster mushroom growing is an income generating activity that is cost effective and not labor intensive. It is ideal for the many Ugandans living with HIV/AIDS or housewives looking for an alternative form of income generation that they can fit into their busy lives. The market for mushrooms is increasing as word of their nutritional benefit is being spread, not to mention the demand from the ever increasing expat community. Ugandans are given a 5 day training, around 1.5 hours/day, and contact information after which they begin to grow and reap the benefits.

Wild Life Clubs

Celeste Arista and her wildlife club pose while on a field trip to one of Uganda's national forests. Students learn about the environment and wildlife as part of the club. There are many wildlife clubs throughout Uganda and they are a great way to provide students with practical hands on education that they would otherwise never receive.

Empowerment Workshop

Amber Comber's students pose for the camera as part of a life skills/empowerment workshop. Volunteers explain to their students the importance of a role model. The students then draw pictures of their role models. In similar workshops volunteers have students do goal setting, public speaking and self esteem building exercises.

Reusable Menstrual Pads

Volunteers at schools are led by Lizzie Kazan in teaching their students to make menstrual pads from locally bought, affordable, material. This allows girls with little or no income to avoid those awkward moments that often prevent them from attending classes.

Statistics

To give you some background of the need for empowerment in Uganda we thought it would be useful to provide you with some statistical data:

52% of Uganda's population is living below the international poverty line ($1.25/day)

50% of Uganda's population is age 14 or under

Life expectancy for Uganda is 52 years

HIV prevalence is at 5.4%

Literacy of the population 15 years and older is 77% for males, but only 58% for females

Fertility is at 6.7 children per household, that is the second highest in the world

50% of uneducated women age 15-19 have at least 1 child

19% of educated women 15-19 have at least 1 child

79% of educated women age 20-24 have at least one child

The average age for giving birth in Uganda is 18

By age 15 24% of females are sexually active, by 18 69% of females are sexually active, and by age 20 86% of females are sexually active

Less than 30% of sexually active adults use condoms

The majority of the population is living in the rural villages. With one of the fastest growing populations in the world it is hard to refute the need for empowerment in Uganda.

Our volunteers are providing workshops on reusable menstrual pads, life skills, STI/HIV/AIDS, paper bead making, mushroom growing, public speaking, and self esteem building among many other activities.