Let's Get GLOWing!

There have been a lot of highs over the last two years. But the biggest one came last week, when after 11 months of planning, Camp GLOW became a reality.

There were times when we questioned whether it would actually happen. Particularly when, nine days before camp, funding from the usual donors still hadn’t been approved. And again, with a week to go, when the government mandated all ministry vehicles be serviced, which pretty much blew our chances at free transport for our 80 learners and 16 facilitators. Then we got word on the day before camp that the stove at the school, where caterers were supposed to cook each and every meal, was actually broken.

But, like most things in life (and all things here in Namibia), everything worked out. The donors came through (and so did family and friends from home—so thank you all for that!) and every region somehow secured a government vehicle. (It was a miracle!) The stove, though wonky, eventually came around. And in the end, things lined up to make this year’s camp a huge success.

The learners, who came from every region in the country (like my new friend Robert, pictured above), were unbelievable. And our facilitators, who we’d trained the month before, were absolutely amazing. Together, they reminded us of why we’d worked so hard, and proved that the endless stress and sleepless nights leading up to camp were totally worth it.


All the chairs that had to be moved before learners arrived


Dar hauling boxes of Camp GLOW T-shirts to the main hall


Camp GLOW T-shirts ready and waiting. The theme of this year's camp was, "Oh the Places You'll GLOW!" We found ways to incorporate ideas from the book into every activity, and we were lucky enough to have an artist like Eric, to design this year's shirts.


Kim, a Nam 29er, making posters to decorate the hall.


Message of the week: LOVE GLOW