GLOW Camp!

Myself and 6 other volunteers from my region did a GLOW (girls and guys leading our world) camp for 32 kids for 5 days, July 29th - August 2nd in Khudumelapye, the village next to mine.

It required a lot of food, but the alcohol levy provided it for us.

We started camp with a bonfire and get to know you games.

Corey was not actually on fire, but was DJing from his laptop.

We talked about self-esteem and knowing yourself.

Since the theme was friendship, we talked about how animals can be our friends, especially dogs.

Which was funny since Snoopy, a dog from Aileen's compound, 

decided she really wanted to come to camp.

We talked about gender roles, and the difference between gender and sex.

The kids made skits about refusing alcohol and dealing with peer pressure.

They thought about what it means to be a leader.

We tried to keep it fun and interactive- batting around blown up condoms to break the ice before talking about sex.

Puberty 101: Everything you've always wanted to know...

We kept a question box going the whole camp, and got really good questions. 

Some very hard to answer.

Our PC Botswana country director Tim Hartman and Ambassador to Botswana Michelle Gavin came and talked with the kids. 

We made collages about ourselves and our goals.

We made friendship bracelets.

We did a science experiment with volcanoes.

Corey taught the kids self defense at 6am!

We also did early morning games and yoga.

Lots of downtime for football, 

jump rope, and whatever other games the kids wanted to play. 

We slept in some classrooms, each school bundled together at night under a pile of blankets.

Sometimes naps were in order (or at least wanted).

At night we had fun things like the campfire, a movie night, a traditional dance performance, and a talent show.

My girls from Salajwe and their certificates for attending camp.

My guys from Salajwe.

Camp GLOW!

 And for a few funny "out-takes"...

Sleeping donkeys by the water pumps. They want to come to school too! Also, some slept RIGHT outside of our classroom, so when I had to use the latrine at midnight, I scared them awake and they knocked over a bucket as they ran off, which scared the crap out of me and I thought was going to wake the whole camp. Oh life.

\

We got to prepare breakfast, and heat water for bathes twice a day. 

A rooster half the size of Finda wants some of the spilled rice.

We had to blow up the condoms for the condom balloon game...

Glow camp was great. Stressful at times because of the logistics, but I really hope I can do another one during my service.