GLOWing in Winter

by Kareema.Abusaab, GAD Committee

When you think of G.L.O.W. camp you think, girls empowerment camp, which is exactly what it is. Great activities to help encourage girls to think ahead about their futures, learn about teamwork, and have lots of fun. What you don’t realize beforehand is the extraordinary experiences you have with the youth of Morocco, counter parts and fellow volunteers. A rich experience, fellow volunteer, Edrienna Thomas recommends trying out more than once during your service.

Recently, Edrienna completed her second G.L.O.W. camp in her site, Gourrama, Morocco. I was fortunate enough to speak to her about her experience. 

Last summer, Edrienna set out to start the first camp ever in her site. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do as many of you can imagine but what happened afterwards, caught Edrienna by surprise. She decided to work on a G.L.O.W. camp and soon after she began putting it together she noticed many of her community members showing gratitude. Community members on the street would stop and eagerly ask Edrienna questions about the camp. During planning of the camp, unforeseen challenges arose but, determined, Edrienna pushed through and continued on.  Shortly after, the camp took place. It's success led Edrienna to plan a second G.L.O.W. camp to bring in the New Year. This time around, her counterparts took more initiative in planning and helping out. Edrienna noticed very quickly how impactful the first camp was to the community because of their eagerness to help with the second one. Sustainability at its best!

As for me, I was also fortunate enough to also bring in the New Year while working on a G.L.O.W. camp in Kalaat M’Gouna with fellow volunteers; Rebecca Levy, Sandy Levinn, Johanna Boyle, Rebecca Mukiibi, Tarah Waters and two very special Moroccan counter parts Aicha and Latiefa. 

Rebecca Levy organized a fantastic G.L.O.W. camp filled with activities such as: self-defense workshop (thanks to fellow volunteer Sairah Jahangir’s training); goal setting; friendship bracelet making/pocket scouts; entrepreneurship; public speaking and so forth. Let’s just say some of the members of the camp cried on the last day and it was hard for me as well to fight back my tears. 

These beautiful girls impacted me as well as the camp impacting them. 

I admit, there were times when I thought "That’s it!" (After a couple of fights breaking out, I felt as though some of the girls were just there to make trouble.) Then I realized that this type of occasion doesn’t happen often. Most of the girls never have a moment like this in which they are recognized, cherished and loved, taught to think ahead and to simply have fun. Sometimes it’s hard for them to know how to act. But I believe by the end of the camp many of the girls realized how to finally get along. We noticed that some of the girls that fought earlier in the week were now sitting together during the spectat (dance party), chatting away and laughing.

Sometimes we forgot how much of an impact we can have on our community. So, if you are thinking about the best ways to help integrate in your community think no more, put together a G.L.O.W camp and you’ll see how quickly your community with glow at all the new learning experiences you have to offer.

GAD's guide to G.L.O.W. camps can be found on our google drive.