Camp GLOW

At the fist ever camp GLOW to be hosted in Uganda I was a proud camp counselor of the Gorillas. I, along with my co-councilor Susan, was in charge of 10 girls. There were a total of 16 groups all with approximately 10-12 girls in each. Every group had a unique African animal as their mascot, mine were the Gorillas. This was a week long camp with a very intensive schedule. There were 3 directors, 3 media specialists, 10 staff members and 24 counselors. Arrival began on Sunday, December 5th 2010. Upon arrival, each camper had to fill out a pre camp questionnaire and register where they received their shirt, name tag, dorm assignment and group. When everyone arrived we all conducted team building activities and got to know our group members. We took dinner and talked, then met on the field to discuss an overview of the week and go over rules. Monday-Friday the schedule resembled this structure: Wake up call and bathing took place from 6-7:00am; 7-7:45am breakfast and group reflection; 7:45-8:00am morning message; 8-9:00am Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 9:10-10:10am Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 10:20-10:50am break tea; 11-11:30am Dear (drop everything and read); 11:40-12:40pm Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 2-3:00pm Talk from a woman speaker; 3:10-4:10pm Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 4:20-5:20pm Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 5:30-6:30pm Free time (chosen from a list of activities such as a nature walk, how to make friendship bracelets, dancing, etc.; 6:30-7:30pm dinner/bathing/cleanup; 7:30-8:00pm free time/journaling; 8-10:00pm group activity (game night, movie night, campfire, talent show). Through out the week, each group was to attend the 5 sessions each day but obviously at different times so that about 3 groups would be in one session at a time. There were many wonderful sessions that the girls were able to attend. Some of these included: making a money jar and talking about savings, gender roles, reproductive health and the menstrual cycle, how to be a good friend, put on the condom relay race, taking care of your body and puberty, what is sex, self defense, painting, HIV and stigma, HIV transmission, goal setting, the human knot, picture yourself in 10 years, HIV truths and myths, malaria, public speaking, blindfolded obstacles, developing Uganda and carrying on information (bringing it back to the community), water and food sanitation. I taught the session of ‘We GLOW with goals”. Myself, along with my Ugandan counterpart, explained the difference between a goal, a dream and daily choices. We discussed the different types of goals one could have (learning something new, beating an old habit, etc.). We then discussed SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time bound) goals. We went over each in much depth. Finally, we talked about how setting goals affects outcomes (choice, effort, persistence, state of mind), how to best stay committed and the process for achieving goals. We passed out a worksheet to each camper and gave them adequate time to complete it and if there was time, some had the opportunity to share with the rest of the class. The worksheet had two columns: one for short term goals and one for long term. The campers had to identify one short term and a long term goal and then for each goal they had to answer the following questions: the benefits in reaching my goal, what might stand in my way, what do I need to learn or do, who will encourage me, plans of action- steps I will take, completion date. All of the campers were open and participated enthusiastically. I loved teaching this session! Throughout the whole camp, the councilors were to stay with their campers at all times except for free time. I had an amazing group of girls. It took some time for some of the girls to open up but it was a great feeling when they did. I am thankful for the opportunity to have watched my campers arrive as scared and unsure girls and leave as open, confident and happy women. Can you imagine having never left your village your whole life and then traveling, for some, all the way across Uganda to spend a week with 150 girls whom you had never before met? My gorillas were extremely well behaved co councilor was amazing. We had a blast and I only had to discipline some of my girls but one time. I think my favorite part was when we had a cheer off and out of 16 groups my girls won first! It was a lot of work but I was so sad when it had come to an end. Some of my girls wrote me letters that made me cry they were so sweet. We had a great closing ceremony and then danced the night away. The next day all the girls went back to their respective villages. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have had such a meaningful role in the camp and wish Peace Corps Uganda the best of luck in regards to hosting another successful camp GLOW.

Boys Empowerment Day

I conducted a youth empowerment camp by which 60 OVC’s (orphans and vulnerable children) attended. RACOBAO, in partnership with Children in Africa, was given funding to target a total of 180 children over a three year period. This year, 60 children who had been living alone for three or more years within Lyantonde and Rakai districts, were chosen for the yearly 2 day camp. The focus of the camp is on: HIV and AIDS; Food and nutrition, Training in income generating activities; Sharing personal experiences as well as counseling from psychologists, but most importantly, improving the self esteem of these children. I created the logo (youth alliance creating hope), design and slogan for the t shirts. I also created the packets of information for all session of the camp and helped design the program. The sessions for the 2 days included: Youth roles and responsibilities; Pychosocial support; Behavioral change and nonverbal communication skills; Peer education skills and drama; Formation of groups to discuss steps in good decision making skills; Gender roles; Violence in the household; Family relations; Goal setting; HIV/AIDS updates and awareness followed by a question and answer session and myth busting; Family planning; Hygiene and sanitation in the household; How to construct a tippy tap; Games and recreational activities; Sharing of personal experiences guided by a councilor; Goat roast dinner and awards. I began the camp by passing out t shirts. Once the kids were settled and had finished eating breakfast I introduced myself and started talking with them about sanitation and hygiene. The session I conducted was proper hygiene and water/food sanitation. I went over all of the ways to make safe water, how long to boil it; how to cover your food and why flies are bad. I discussed: Diseases and what causes them; Nutrition and safe cooking; How to take care of the leftovers; Washing hands and how much water one should drink daily. After the question and answer session, we went and made a tippy tap. I had a girl and a guy explain how to use it. I then talked to them about how to make it emphasized the importance of hand washing. The whole camp went very well. The students were engaged and at the end of the camp, really seemed to open up with one another. However, I did feel that it was a lot of information to pack into 2 days. While the topics were important, I sensed that it was quite a lot for children to absorb in such a short amount of time. Other than that, I felt that it went wonderfully!

Youth Camp: Youth Alliance Creating Hope

So for this years youth camp I was able to create the program and t shirt design. The program was as follows:

DAY 1:

Breakfast
Devotion
Introductions
Youth Roles and Responsibilities
HIV/AIDS updates and awareness followed by a Q&A session and Myth Busting
Hygiene and Sanitation in the household
How to construct a Tippy Tap
Lunch
Peer Education Skills and Drama
Formation of Groups to discuss steps in good decision making
Gender Roles
Evening Tea
Games and Rec.
Goat Roast/Dinner
Sharing of personal experiences guided by a councilor

DAY 2:

Breakfast
Psychosocial Support
Behavioral Change and Nonverbal Communication Skills
Break Tea
Family Planning
Goal Setting
Lunch
Violence in Households
Family Relations
Evening Tea
Award/Prizes
Departure

There was much work that went into setting everything up, ordering the shirts and food, creating information packets, etc. The day finally came and everything even started on time. Once the kids were settled and had finished eating breakfast I introduced myself and started talking with them about sanitation and hygiene. I went over all of the ways to make safe water, how long to boil it, how to cover your food and why flies are bad. I went over diseases and what causes them. I talked about nutrition,safe cooking and about left overs. I spoke to them about washing your hands and how much water one should drink daily. Then we went and made a tippy tap and I had a girl and guy explain how to use it. I then educated them on how to make it and why it is important to wash your hands. It was a fantastic 2 day camp and the kids were able to take a lot from it!

NGO Database Parafinilia

I had created the logo, motto and name for the NGO Forum, of which my organization is the leader of.
They had ordered a bunch of things, such as: A stamp, certificates, folders, a booklet of mission, etc. all of which had my creation on it! Pretty cool!!

Red Cross Youth Link T Shirt Handout

So, this event has been anticipated for quite sometime. I had hosted a fundraiser in order to gain revenue for the students so that they could receive t shirts for their link. I was finally able to order them, retrieve them from Kampala and have a ceremony in which the students received their ID cards and a shirt- that is, if they paid the 2,000 shillings. Almost all of my students were able to get a shirt. We talked with them briefly before handing everything out and then took some group photos. I made it mandatory that they wear their shirts every Friday. The entire event went very well and the students were happy.

Future Projects

Well, for those of you that made it thus far- mad props! I just want to reiterate that this blog is my "thesis" for my masters degree; therefore, I have to try and keep it centered towards my projects and work in country. However, due to my dear friend Amanda, who has been after me to keep my blog up to date, I will now be on a regular schedule with posts and updates on FUN things as well! So a short description of future projects will now ensue:

I will be starting a Patriot Club. This will help to instill within the students national pride and information about Uganda, Africa and the world. This will also empower them to vote and to know that their voice is important and counts in the world.

I will be expanding the re-usable sanitary pad project to multiple schools (primary and secondary) throughout my district.

I am planning a career day- state style. Here in Uganda, they usually have a few speakers and they stand one by one and speak about their profession. I want to introduce the booths and multiple representations of professions so that students can get a more personal encounter and more in depth understanding of career options.

There will be a HIV test day, free to all students.

The Life Skills and So What! class will continue.

There will be a nationwide GLOW Camp (girls leading our world) in December that I will be an active member of.

The NGO database will be completed and workshops will take place: Finding Funding in a Competitive Market, Proposal Writing, Interoffice Organizational Management, etc.

I have a meeting with the Country Director in October to propose the idea of creating an East African Discussion Panel website.

The rabbit project will begin.

As a secondary project I will be working with another NGO in an effort to initiate an organized sports empowerment project for youth within the Lyantonde district.

Fundraiser Time

I planned a very large fund raising event for the newly formed Red Cross Youth Link that targeted all of the major local leaders and NGOs in the area. This will help to start their projects which include: Re-introduce rabbits to the area of Lyantonde and the surrounding sub counties as well as an agricultural project by where they will grow three different types of crops, including passion fruit trees, also, to help purchase T-Shirts for them (uniforms) for this link.

In continuation with the St. Noah’s Red Cross Youth Link, we have been diligent in planning a fund raising event for their branch. I have organized multiple meetings with the students to get ideas for this event. We have gone over what the branch needs in order to start and sustain their IGA activities and get t-shirts. It was decided that each member would contribute 2,000 Ugandan Shillings for their t-shirt and then the fundraiser would supplement the rest for this term. The meetings were many in regards to the planning stage. I inquired from other organizations, other youth link members, my organization, and community members for information regarding this event.

Prior to the event, I sent out over 60 invitations. I went and got cases of water, 5 cases of soda, 200 cakes, auction items and a pregnant goat. I called people to remind them about the event. Gave Edgar the money to get the sodas and pay the radio man. Finally, the day before the even was to take place, I went down and prepped the students on the next days activities.

The fundraiser itself was somehow successful. The venue and accessories (chairs, tables, sound system, stage, etc.) had been donated to us; therefore, I had to arrive early in the morning to set up. I then went back to the school and collected the goat, water, packets of the constitution and auction items. The students came at 10am. They had practiced their entertainment. Throughout this I was selling raffle tickets to win a phone and we auctioned the goat. It was supposed to start at 10 and no one showed. A couple people came around noon so we then began. I was seriously concerned by then as we had been calling all stakeholders throughout the morning. The director of the farm began to talk about rabbits and gardening. Shortly after her began speaking, the Head Minister of Health along with some other chair persons came and we all performed the Ugandan anthem. We then started the auction. The point of this was to buy something higher than the retail value for the good of the cause in order to make a profit. Some LC’s came later and, unfortunately, no one from RACOBAO came except for two people. We completed the auction, which I found to be very fun except I don’t know my numbers that well in Luganda so I ended up paying a lot for a couple things! People gave speeches, we gave out the soda, water, and cakes, and then we drew the winning number for the raffle. The students helped with the clean up and then we all went home. We raised 470,000 shillings which is about $200.00. I was very disappointed in the outcome but I think it was good for the students and even the community members who participated. Come to find out there were 3 other events that same day. It was election time for the local leaders so of course they were going where they could target the most votes, ours being very low on their scale. The event was a TON of work but at least we tried!