Camp GLOW 2011

I sit here in my hut, feeling nervous, excited, stressed, yet prepared for the camp that we will leave for in less than 3 days. We have spent countless hours writing lesson plans, organizing logistics with taxi drivers, the venue, and the girls themselves. The moment has now come where I must just ‘let go’ and hope for the best. If I have learned one thing in Peace Corps, it’s that I cannot control everything (even thought I may try my hardest to!). Things rarely go exactly as they should, so all I can do it put my best foot forward and then adapt to whatever it is that the camp decides to bring to us. The girls are excited and nervous as well, as a week long youth camp is not common out in the rural areas. It took a lot of explaining, and I’m still not 100% sure that they truly understand what is going on. However, maybe that’s better- no expectations. They have been holding a countdown since the day I told them about the camp, a countdown which excludes the week that we are currently in: for example, last week on Monday they came up to me screaming we go to camp in 2 days!! No, I corrected, a week and 2 days. No, Sbongile, this week doesn’t count! Okay…

Despite the fact that I have told them numerous times that there will be no boys, and we will be the ONLY people in the camp, they all tried to convince their parents to buy them new clothes and they all re-did their hairstyles (wigs). I have boys calling me asking when they boy’s camp is going to be, for my reverse discrimination is really unfair. Ha! I’m so fortunate that I was able to provide these young girls with this opportunity. At the very least they will enjoy a week in a foreign part of the country with friendship, good food, great information, self-exploration and discovery, and a week away from the chores of cooking, cleaning, and schoolwork.

As for the camp, we have worked hard over the past 2 months to provide them with the most critical information while helping them to learn in an open, laid-back, participatory, and integrative style. All of our lessons are accompanied by activities such as role-playing, student teaching, or small group discussion to delve deeper into topics that they may be afraid to discuss in the larger group. In our session about domestic violence, we are even going to teach them some basic self-defense moves! Our lessons are ranging from everything to goal-setting, stereotypes, and self confidence to safe and smart sexual decisions, peer pressure, community service, living and supporting people with HIV, what is going on in a 15 year old boy’s mind, and their rights as women and South African citizens. On the last day we have people coming to do HIV testing after a particularly meaningful session we will have discussing what it is like to live with HIV and how we can support and care for those who are. Activities range from soccer and volleyball to hiking the Drakensberg mountains, swimming in Blyde River, journaling, talent show, dance party, movie night, campfire, and morning yoga or kickboxing.

There are 30 girls total, and they will be divided into 4 cabins. Each cabin will be headed by one amazing counselor (4 of our friends/fellow PCVs have donated their time and talent to lead the girls) who will lead them in cabin talks, games/icebreakers, being there when they need someone to talk to, and keeping them excited and the energy level high for all of the sessions. We were able to give each of the counselors some money to buy ‘welcome gifts’ for their cabin so that they could each have something special to remember their counselor and roommates by. The counselors decorated picture frames, made mixed CDs, created friendship bracelets, and those are only the things that I know about!

We used the money that we raised for transportation, accommodation, and session materials (pens, workbooks, journals, arts/crafts activities, butcher paper, snacks, and my personal favorite: white t-shirts which they will decorate which say GLOW Girls Rock!). Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to make this camp a possibility for these girls who will most likely never experience anything like this for the rest of their lives. Know that it will be impactful, life changing, fun, and meaningful in so many ways. These girls are so special, and they truly are the future of South Africa, capable of changing their villages, country, and even the world. Look forward to another post updating after camp is finished (and I’ve been able to catch up on my sleep). Wish me luck!!