Camp GLOW

Living here in Burkina, I have grown to understand the power of “brainwashing”.  Since coming to this culture which is so new to me, I have realized how much I have been conditioned by the messages and behaviors of society in America.  For example, it is nothing here for someone to throw a used plastic bag on the ground and continue on with their day.  In fact, it is even expected to leave it on the ground instead of saving it to recycle or searching for a trash can.  Or if you are at a restaurant or bar, in order to get the server’s attention the Burkinabés usually make a very loud Pssstttt sound.  While these things are completely normal and acceptable here, I can’t bring myself to do them; the former because I have been brainwashed (in a good way) to never throw trash on the ground, and the latter because I have been conditioned that I would probably get slapped or beaten if I were to call a server in that manner in the US.  The weird thing is that it isn’t a conscious response; I simply can’t will myself to do it.

 While there are certainly many bad aspects of the brainwashing and the conditioning that we receive in the US, there are plenty of extremely useful and beneficial messages that have been burned into our minds.  Unfortunately, here in Burkina the amount of good brainwashing that children receive is very minimal.  Often, topics such as gender equality, reproductive health, and hygiene aren’t even discussed here let alone pounded into people’s brains in the ways that we are fortunate to be accustomed to.  Without this conditioning, the decision making skills that seem so intuitive to us (though often neglected) are much more difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.  There simply are not enough good messages being bombarded into the developing minds of children in my experiences here in Burkina.  While this is perhaps a twisted view and certainly not officially Peace Corps sanctioned, it is how I view a good portion of my work here.  That is why I was excited to learn that we will have the opportunity to host Camp GLOW here at my site this summer.    

 Below is some information on Camp GLOW and its objectives and activities.   If you would like to donate, click the link below or copy and paste it in your browser.  All donations are 100% tax deductible. 

Click here: https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=686-174
  

 Soccer. Arts and crafts. Songs. S’mores. Talent shows. If you spent any time as a camper when you were younger, these might sound familiar. Add in sessions on nutrition, healthy decision making, future career goals, family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention and you have Camp G²LOW Burkina Faso.

 Camp G²LOW (Girls and Guys Leading Our World) is an already well-established national camp happening annually in 22 Peace Corps countries around the world. Burkina Faso became the 23^rd country to host Camp G²LOW in August 2011, starting the first edition of Camp G²LOW at the regional level in the cities of Kaya and Boromo. Our goal is to add two more regions each year until it reaches the national level with a two week long camp: one week of boys and one week of girls. Next year, in 2012, we hope to expand Camp G²LOW to include not only Kaya and Boromo, but also Léo and Fada as well. That way the camp will touch four different regions of the country.

 The camp trains 6^eme and 5^eme (6^th and 7^th grade) boys and girls and focuses on three main themes: healthy living practices, leadership development, and the promotion of gender equality. Some of our sessions during 2011 included:

• Men as partners/developing equality
• Leadership
• Hygiene and sanitation
• Effects of alcohol and cigarette consumption
• Healthy relationships
• Effective communication skills
• Self-esteem
• Reproductive and sexual education
• HIV/AIDS
• Family planning
• Making the right decisions
• Planning for the future
• What is violence?
• Career panel with Burkinabe businessmen and women

 In 2011, the Peace Corps Burkina Faso team of volunteers and staff put forth a lot of effort to reassure the community participation and sustainability of the camp. Villages were requested to choose 4 girls and 4 boys to attend the camp based on their school performance and character. They also helped to choose a host country national (HCN) to work with each Peace Corps volunteer (PCV) and to help be a counselor during the camp after completion of a comprehensive training. Communities also helped pay for student transport, housing, and materials.

In order for Camp G²LOW to take place again in 2012, in addition to the 25% community contribution by the villages involved, Burkina Faso PCVs as well as Burkina Faso HCNs must raise $44,000.  This is where your generosity can help!  With your help and donations, we will be able to achieve our goal.  Any donations, big or small, are greatly appreciated.  We are hoping to raise $24,000 through the help of our family and friends through the Peace Corps Partnership Program.  If you are interested in making a 100% tax-deductible donation and would like more information on how to donate, please go to http://pcburkina.org/camp-glow.

Two weeks in four different cities. 60 middle school aged students a week.  Giving students a week to just be kids. Giving students a week to learn more about their bodies and how to make good decisions. Developing tomorrow’s leaders. Won’t you consider donating to the future of Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world, by helping to educate the youth?

If you have any questions, comments, or just want to say hello, please email me at jgras330@gmail.com.  And in advance, thank you for your support! 

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Peace Corps Volunteer, Burkina Faso 2010-2012 

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Camp G²LOW Boromo Boys and Girls Results 2011

 

Results	Pre test	Post Test	% Increase	6 Months After	1 Year After
Participants who have planned their future and thought about their education	56.73%	69.02%	12.29%	TBA	TBA
Participants who have a career in mind	61.82%	84.31%	22.50%	TBA	TBA
Participants who better understand the changes that occur during puberty and know basic sexual anatomy of both sexes	55.30%	69.12%	13.82%	TBA	TBA
Participants who recognize that a person with HIV/AIDS cannot be identified physically	53.64%	93.14%	39.50%	TBA	TBA
Participants capable of citing at least 3 methods of Family Planning	8.18%	44.12%	35.94%	TBA	TBA
Participants capable of listing the three modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS	16.36%	47.06%	30.70%	TBA	TBA
Participants able to cite that abstinence is the only method 100% effective in preventing HIV/AIDS/STIs and unwanted pregnancies	1.82%	66.67%	64.85%	TBA	TBA
Participants who understand a woman’s right to refuse sexual relations with her husband	33.64%	58.82%	25.19%	TBA	TBA
Participants who understand hitting a woman is never acceptable	35.45%	55.88%	20.43%	TBA	TBA
Participants capable of defining sexual harassment	26.36%	55.88%	29.52%	TBA	TBA