GLOW

Camp GLOW was a smashing success in Mpika this month! Thank you so much to all who donated or supported us in our efforts. 14 girls and 7 teachers participated with the 7 of us volunteers. While it was a bit tough dealing with the teachers (they were a tad disgruntled for not being paid for this program), the girls were an absolute blast. They had SO much fun and it was so great to see how happy they were. We taught them songs and cheers and such which they loved singing all the time. Our sessions we held included topics like early marriage, teen pregnancy, sugar daddies, confidence, assertiveness, and being a leader. We also played games, went swimming in local waterfalls, and did lots of crafts. Most of these girls have never or rarely leave the village, so staying in school dorms with electricity and running water was a really big deal. They even braided my hair in tiny little braids one night while we were watching a movie. The girls LOVED to critique my Bemba, so that was really funny because they wanted us to learn their language so much. The 7 of us volunteers discussed the fact that this may be one of the most influential things we do doing our service. While working with farmers is nice and sometimes rewarding, we could actually see the impact of our efforts in these girls. It really made our hearts melt to see how happy they were and the friends that they made while together.

Now to back up a bit- after my parents left, the rains officially came to Mpika. Sadly, my house leaked like the Titanic. We had to put some more grass and plastic onto the roof to prevent water leaking down my walls and staining the whitewash/lime. It was not a good week, but I made it through.

Now I am in the capitol on my way to Christmas vacation. Two girls from my intake and myself are flying to Johannesburg tomorrow. We're spending one night in town and then taking a bus to Mozambique. We'll spend 2 weeks in Mozambique touring the beaches and eating lots of seafood! I'm pretty excited to be seeing the Indian Ocean and spend Christmas on a beach. However, I am getting a bit homesick for Christmas in America (yes I am Jewish, and I do celebrate Hanukkah, but my family likes to participate in all things commercial Christmas as well :o). My brother is at home with my parents in the snow of Chicago, and I wish I could be involved in all the holiday traditions taking place there. My first Christmas away from home :o( Mozambique should be a blast though and I look forward to posting about it later.