GLOWing

GLOW stands for Girls Leading Our World and in the Philippines, much needs to be done to build the leadership and confidence of young girls.

During the last week in April, another PCV hosted a GLOW camp and invited some other volunteers to participate.  50 sponsored girls from Children International participated in a 4 day, overnight camp bonding, doing tie-dye, making smo'res, asking questions, challenging themselves, thinking positively and participating in workshops on team building, leadership, gender stereotypes, healthy relationships, body image, self-esteem and adolescent health.

Components of a healthy relationship

Using communication for leadership

What's the difference between sex and gender?

Learning about protection during sex

Qualities of a leader

All of the PCV and CI facilitators

Check out this sweet video made by PCV camp organizer, Bryna:

My personal mission in the Philippines is to help girls feel more comfortable and confident speaking their minds.  When leading sessions or visiting classrooms, it is immediately obvious to me that girls wait for boys to answer first and boys are much more confident with their responses, even if they are incorrect.  During the workshop on gender stereotypes, I asked the Orange Team, my small group, why boys are the ones to answer questions or to speak up more than girls.  Since we were comfortable with each other, one girl replied honestly that it was because they think that boys have better ideas.  Thank God for GLOW camp.  At the end of camp, all of the girls filled out evaluation forms and this was the evaluation form of the girl who answered that it was because boys have better answers. Mission accomplished.