Oh the Places You'll G.L.O.W!

I was lucky enough to observe last year's Camp GLOW and this year, I'm one of three PCVs charged with making the nation-wide event a reality.

Camp GLOW is a unique experience for a lot of reasons--and it's a project that's near and dear to my heart. I'm certain that if you visit this site (where you can read stories from learners and watch footage and interviews from Camp GLOW 2008) it will be clear why.

Many of you have already been incredibly generous in your donation of games, clothing and school supplies for the orphanage, arts and crafts for Hero Books and other after-school programs, and financial contributions to my oral care workshops. But if you'd still like to do more, and want to help 80 Namibian children change their lives for the better--please, keep reading.

Dear Friends and Family,

Peace Corps' Gender Awareness and Diversity Committee strives to promote cross-cultural understanding in Namibia, expand the definition of traditional gender roles and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among youth.

To achieve these goals, the GAD Committee hosts Camp GLOW (Girls and Guys Leading Our World) each year. This weeklong event unites 80 promising young learners from low-income schools across 13 regions and 15 cultures, for a life-changing experience. Out-of-school youth, trained by Peace Corps Volunteers, use games and group exercises to illustrate the importance of teamwork. Breakout sessions and small-group discussions encourage self-discovery, while guest speakers and fieldtrips to Parliament and Namibian universities encourage future planning and goal setting.

This August, Camp GLOW will once again provide a unique opportunity for learners—some who have never left their villages—to interact with peers from different cultural backgrounds in a safe space. It will give adolescents the chance to learn about their futures, and it will help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS through candid and informative conversations. Camp GLOW will also continue empower out-of-school youth by teaching them the fundamentals of leadership, then positioning them as role models for Namibian learners.

The benefits of Camp GLOW are huge, but the operational costs are high. We need your support to make this fun and educational week a reality! It costs approximately US$200 to send just one child to camp. And while we receive funding from UNICEF and similar organizations, private donations play a huge part in making Camp GLOW a success.

If you are interested in helping 80 exemplary learners become future leaders, experience new cultures and gain a deeper understanding of gender and diversity, you can make a donation via PayPal using the following email address: jill.nawrocki(at)gmail.com. (Money will be transferred to the Camp GLOW account and receipts can be sent upon request.) Please include your name and mailing address to receive a special note from learners at the end of camp.

Thank you for your help and support. If you'd like to learn more about Camp GLOW, visit G.L.O.W. Namibia for footage from last year's camp.

Sincerely,

Amanda Rucker
Camp GLOW Chair

Jill Nawrocki
Camp GLOW Co-Chair

Leah Rubin
Camp GLOW Co-Chair

I hope you'll consider contributing to this incredible cause. Please email me if you have further questions or would like details on Camp GLOW fund raising projects for schools, churches and clubs.