EDUCATING and empowering young women throughout Guyana is being made a sustainable process through the events of Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World).

During the just-concluded one-week summer camp, girls between the ages of 13-17, from as far as Region 1 to Region 6, were brought together in a beautiful interior training centre in Region 4. They were given the opportunity to explore and discover ways to incorporate leadership skills, healthy relationship and communication skills, and positive lifestyle choices.
Through activities and discussions based on a variety of topics about leadership and decision-making, the women were provided with the training and education to enable them to take these skills back to their homes and communities.

This year, the group consisted of 15 Peace Corps Volunteers, 10 Guyanese Counsellors, 5 CITS (Counsellors in Training), and 35 campers.

While the Peace Corps Volunteers assisted in hosting the camp, it was the young Guyanese women who managed the camp and brought forth its full potential.

The counsellors were previous campers who have a strong passion to pursue this mission, and they returned to empower more women countrywide.

The girls were provided with an education in the camp, based on discussions, activities, and presentations from guest speakers who contributed their personal experiences on topics of leadership, career planning, decision-making, and acceptance of various cultures and traditions.

Topics also included art therapy as well as physical, mental, emotional, and sexual health. The campers were urged to cultivate a healthy body image, good nutrition and diet, and make healthy lifestyle choices.
The guest speakers also provided informational discussions regarding suicide in Guyana, a country where the suicide rates remain high.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided transportation for all campers throughout Guyana, food, safe drinking water, housing accommodation, and a weeklong educational programme that would impact their lives forever.

After the camp, the girls will continue to work with Regional Counsellors and other campers to practice their newly-acquired skills and inform others of their experiences.

The camp had a bittersweet ending as the girls had to say goodbye and depart from the close bonds they had formed, but they left with newly-acquired skills and tools they would use for the rest of their lives.

Podella Williams, a 17-year old Camp Counsellor from Linden, plans to host a radio show called the “GLOW Show” in her village. “This way I can continue educating women throughout my community on ways to exceed and create change.”

According to the organisers, the camp is just the beginning of changing people’s lives and the hope is that the gift of Camp GLOW is one that will never stop giving.