CAMP G.L.O.W (Girls Leading Our World) on Epi: Jan. 11-15, 2010
Volunteer Facilitators: Lauren Scholle (Group 21B, Epi), Hannah McMillan (Group 21B, Epi), Amy Orr (Group 22, Epi), Chris Ekhert (Group 22, Epi), Brianna Russell (Group 21A, Paama)
Located at the RTC in Molua Village, Northeast Epi
Participants: Ages 16-22, total number of 21 girls from 3 different villages
Located just walking distance from the beautiful white sand beach, and the picturesque view of the active Lopevi volcanoe, Epi’s camp GLOW was indeed epic. Four smoltering hot days, drenched in sweat and overcome with heat exhaustion falling in out of consciousness; Team Epi brilliantly managed to pull off a very productive and heartfelt camp GLOW. To briefly introduce the director; Lauren runs the RTC on Epi, and is the next Mother Teresa of our world. Her loving and shining presence was a consistent uplifting ray of light for the rest of us. We couldn’t have had a better time between the relay races on the sand beach to the Bonani dancing in the village. Lauren has worked in a homeless shelter and at the Folsom Prison before joining the Corps. While Lauren was the ring leader of the show, the rest of us helped as much as we could in assisting with talks, activities, discussions, devotion, moral support, and errands. There isn’t a better experience here in the Peace Corps than being able to reach Ni-Vanuatu people, grow close to them, work with them, learn from them, and teach them all at the same time with other volunteers there to share the glory. Our workshop sessions included: nutrition, cooking/recipes, domestic violence, STD’s/AIDS, Adolescent Reproductive Health, leadership, healthy relationships, goal setting, sports and more!
Funniest moments: Amy showing the girls and us her hip-hop dance routine that was performed at Group 22’s swearing in ceremony. Doing charades with the girls and Chris’s imitation of riding a bicycle. Pierce getting into a tense session talk about ‘whiteman fasin’ with one of the stronger girls in the group. When a few of the girls threw the banana that had a condom on it out of sheer embarrassment. Amy’s Jesus rendition of “A whole new world” and “We Will Rock You”.
Happiest moments: During our leadership session, when we asked the girls to brainstorm strong women leaders of the world, they chose the four of us as an example. Hannah’s Baha’i prayer readings everyday to remind us of our love for life. Playing “Kokonus i faldaon sipos yu…” with the whole group.
Saddest moments: Me breaking my ankle and having to leave Epi the day before our closing ceremony of the camp, saying goodbye to the girls and the volunteers with looks of worrisome. The girls response to the question, “Is it ok if your man hits you then says sorry?” They responded, “Yes, from se hemi stap learnem mi.” The closing of the camp itself.
As Amy put it so very well, “Why can’t every week be a camp GLOW!”
Showing posts with label peace corps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace corps. Show all posts
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Basket for Change
The story of rural villagers working together to create island style bags & crafts to earn a decent income.
Recently, the women of Paama Island in the Republic of Vanuatu have created a new style of basket & bag making. Using cotton material sold in Vanuatu printed with its vibrant taste and island motif; these women have created hand bags, backpacks, purses, and wallets all suitable for any carrying needs. The 40 women have started “A Basket for Change” with the help of two Peace Corps volunteers stationed on the island of Paama; Amy Chan & Brianna Russell.
After their first successful round of producing 80 bags sold to other Peace Corps volunteers & the ACTIV fair-trade shop in Port Vila, they’re preparing for growth. Majority of the women sow the bags by hand as they cannot afford sowing machines but there are few that use machines. Now they have elected three executive representatives who will work closely with the Peace Corps volunteers in making this project sustainable and annual. The representatives are: Esi Cyrus, age 32, a mother of 4 children, native of Paama and past President of the Women of the Presbyterian Women’s Group. Elsie Ezkiel, age 30, from Tevaliaot village & current home care teacher at the local Rural Training Center in Paama. And Lisa Avock, age 30, who resides in a small village, Lulep, on the East coast of Paama. Each woman has a family of her own, is active in the community, the church, and other events. When not working on projects or other ceremonious events the women are found either in the home or in their gardens.
Most women don’t have paying jobs, living in a rural village on a 32 sq km island with a population of about 1800 people, regular urban jobs are few and far between especially for women. Only three out of 22 villages has electricity during the night hours of 6-9pm. Most don’t even have running water or water seal toilets. On average they earn 100-200vt ($1.00-$2.00 USD) a week from selling their local fresh crops at the island market on Paama. They spend their money on protein-filled items and school fee’s. The lucky villagers will have other sources of income from other family living in the urban areas of Vanuatu or from running a small store, fishing business, etc.
However, these bags sell for 250-500vt ($2.50-$5.00 USD) each costing less than 100vt to make giving the women an above average profit margin on their products. The plan is to make bulk orders of 80-100 and ship to the ACTIV trade shop in Port Vila two times a year and one time a year to the U.S.A. The women also plan to sell smaller amounts for cheaper to other rural islands close by. So far the women have earned about 66,200vt ($662.00 USD) total for the fiscal year of 2009.
We have currently purchased a website, have an email and are working to build this project on a foundation of sustainability!
Contact us for a local retailer in U.S. or custom orders.
After their first successful round of producing 80 bags sold to other Peace Corps volunteers & the ACTIV fair-trade shop in Port Vila, they’re preparing for growth. Majority of the women sow the bags by hand as they cannot afford sowing machines but there are few that use machines. Now they have elected three executive representatives who will work closely with the Peace Corps volunteers in making this project sustainable and annual. The representatives are: Esi Cyrus, age 32, a mother of 4 children, native of Paama and past President of the Women of the Presbyterian Women’s Group. Elsie Ezkiel, age 30, from Tevaliaot village & current home care teacher at the local Rural Training Center in Paama. And Lisa Avock, age 30, who resides in a small village, Lulep, on the East coast of Paama. Each woman has a family of her own, is active in the community, the church, and other events. When not working on projects or other ceremonious events the women are found either in the home or in their gardens.
Most women don’t have paying jobs, living in a rural village on a 32 sq km island with a population of about 1800 people, regular urban jobs are few and far between especially for women. Only three out of 22 villages has electricity during the night hours of 6-9pm. Most don’t even have running water or water seal toilets. On average they earn 100-200vt ($1.00-$2.00 USD) a week from selling their local fresh crops at the island market on Paama. They spend their money on protein-filled items and school fee’s. The lucky villagers will have other sources of income from other family living in the urban areas of Vanuatu or from running a small store, fishing business, etc.
However, these bags sell for 250-500vt ($2.50-$5.00 USD) each costing less than 100vt to make giving the women an above average profit margin on their products. The plan is to make bulk orders of 80-100 and ship to the ACTIV trade shop in Port Vila two times a year and one time a year to the U.S.A. The women also plan to sell smaller amounts for cheaper to other rural islands close by. So far the women have earned about 66,200vt ($662.00 USD) total for the fiscal year of 2009.
We have currently purchased a website, have an email and are working to build this project on a foundation of sustainability!
Contact us for a local retailer in U.S. or custom orders.
http://www.activ.com.vu/products_abc.htm
A Basket for Change
Brianna Russell & Amy Chan
Liro, Paama Vanuatu
5421817 mobile, 48411 local number
brerussell@gmail.com
Friday, November 20, 2009
WE WANT YOU!
PAAMA YOUTH CENTER PROJECT:
Hello all humanitarians and readers!
We are doing a used and new book drive to help create the first public library for the entire island of Paama in Vanuatu! Paama inhabits about 1,800 people with about 40% within the youth category.
The library will be built inside the newly being built Youth Center in Liro, Paama. Any suitable reading material and magazines would be greatly appreciated and used! The people here learn English at the schools and would like to broaden their knowledge; any donations would be greatly appreciated. Best if educational, some fictional, science, biology, picture books, all within a sixth grade reading level. Magazines would be a bonus as well, it doesn't matter how old they are we will use them for collages and pictures!
Please send to:
Paama Youth Center
c/o Brianna Russell, PC Volunteer
Liro Village, Paama
Republic of Vanuatu
South West Pacific
Note: This is the correct address, the place is really just that rural!
Thanks!
Hello all humanitarians and readers!
We are doing a used and new book drive to help create the first public library for the entire island of Paama in Vanuatu! Paama inhabits about 1,800 people with about 40% within the youth category.
The library will be built inside the newly being built Youth Center in Liro, Paama. Any suitable reading material and magazines would be greatly appreciated and used! The people here learn English at the schools and would like to broaden their knowledge; any donations would be greatly appreciated. Best if educational, some fictional, science, biology, picture books, all within a sixth grade reading level. Magazines would be a bonus as well, it doesn't matter how old they are we will use them for collages and pictures!
Please send to:
Paama Youth Center
c/o Brianna Russell, PC Volunteer
Liro Village, Paama
Republic of Vanuatu
South West Pacific
Note: This is the correct address, the place is really just that rural!
Thanks!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Paama Island Projects Outline 2009
PAAMA Island is located in the MALAMPA Province of Vanuatu. I am a Peace Corps volunteer on this island in the village of Liro. Liro is essentially the capital of Paama. Paama is only 32 sq. km with about 20 different villages and a total population of 1500 locals.
There are many projects underway as I begin the 10th month of my service in this country:
And many more projects to come. These are the starting points of my time here on Paama. If you or anyone you know can lend a hand in donations, materials, supplies, etc. Please contact me via email or post at brerussell@gmail.com or Brianna Russell, Peace Corps Volunteer, Liro Post Office, Liro Paama, Vanuatu, South Pacific
Thank you! More updates soon.
There are many projects underway as I begin the 10th month of my service in this country:
- Water tanks and piping in the village of Liro, Lironesa, Senali. Currently looking to work with the grant from the European Union and NSA.
- Youth & Sports Programs in which I am currently teaching new sports and trying to build a youth center to equip with computers and a table tennis league. Sports such as: American football, rugby, basketball, baseball, frisbee, etc.
- Fisheries committee is trying to build up a business plan to catch & sell fish on the island as well as to Port Vila and Luganville.Yet we are lacking a boat.
- ABC= A Basket for Change. Currently teaching the women how to make unique bags, purses, wallets,backpacks, to sell on the island as well as in Port Vila and Luganville.
- Women's Group restaurant and kitchen ware sales start-up.
- Electricity for the entire island or for Liro, working with UNELCO but need funding for large generator.
- Second hand sales of clothing from the U.S. donations made by family members.
And many more projects to come. These are the starting points of my time here on Paama. If you or anyone you know can lend a hand in donations, materials, supplies, etc. Please contact me via email or post at brerussell@gmail.com or Brianna Russell, Peace Corps Volunteer, Liro Post Office, Liro Paama, Vanuatu, South Pacific
Thank you! More updates soon.
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