Camp Unite

I’ve talked about Camp Unite before in the past and on facebook. So . . . what is it exactly?  Camp Unite is a camp that Peace Corps holds during summer vacation. Volunteers nominate apprentices and students to attend a week long intense training where they learn subjects like gender equality, self-confidence, facts/myths about HIV/AIDS, relationships and abstinence, income generating activities, sexual harassment, puberty/adolescence, and child trafficking. 

I was so excited to have had the  opportunity to nominate some of Asrama's high school students and apprentices. The students/apprentices fill out an application which included an essay. Then myself, the school principal and the syndicate president reviewed the applications and sent out nominations  Asrama was fortunate enough to have a total of 8 kids accepted to go to summer camps.  We were thrilled!

 Here a few pictures that highlight the week of the  camp I worked in.

In this picture I am answering questions in a class teaching the boys about Sexual Harrasement.

 

Paggie is a sorceror who challenges the boys and interrogates them on the days  lessons.

 

We divided the participants into teams of colors and they complete a challenge (think challenge course at American camps).  

First Challenge: Cross the river in the same boat.  The boys were given two boards with string and they had to figure out how to  travel from one side to the other with all nine of them.

 

 

Second Challenge: Fire and escaping through a window

Third Challenge: Removing the bucket from the fire ant circle without touching the ground.

 

We have a culture night where the participants performed local songs and dances that are traditional to the different ethnic groups.  This is me and my building dancing a traditional EWE dance for Culture Night.

                                        

The boys also go to a nearby community and do skits for them teaching about the various subjects they learned throughout the week.  My group's skit was the importance of girls education and unwanted pregnancy.  The boy doing the skit on unwanted pregancy is wearing the pregancy pad. Throughout the week every boy had to wear the pregnancy pad for one hour

 

Another picture of my group performing their skit.

Here is a picture of the four apprentices that we sent from my village, Asrama (The boy behind me snuck in the picture. He is not from Asrama.) 

Our goal was to motivate the youth here so they will go back into  their communities and share their knowledge with others. We encouraged them  to be good role models . Basically, we empowered the boys to make positive change in their lives. Peace Corps Togo had an impact!

Unity is one of our most successful endeavors in Togo. I have seen a noticeable change in the students I sent. They have returned to Asrama ready and excited to work and pass the message along. The girls especially are full of confidence. I am really proud to have taken a part in  it!