Youth Camp on Epi Island 2010

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!”

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:

• 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.