The Day Before the Big Day

The counselors and staff made their way to St. Theresa Girls Primary School in Entebbe on Friday, just a couple of days before the girls arrive, in order to get ready for Camp GLOW 2013.  The group of 44 staff and counselors come from all over Uganda, many travelling over a day just to get here.  After orientation on Friday night, it was clear that the coordinators—Tara, Mikael and Meish—have been hard at work planning this camp for months.  Everything is incredibly well thought-out and organized.

The directors having a powwow

Last night the newly arrived counselors moved into the massive dorm rooms and enjoyed a quiet evening, as they will soon be accompanied by 135 excited girls between the ages of 13 and 17.  They are all trying to keep their excitement in check—some more successfully than others— as they know just how much they will need it for the next week of non-stop fun, learning and empowerment.

Today, the counselors are in training.  

They began the morning with an ice-breaker in the form of a scavenger hunt, each PCV counselor teaming up with their Ugandan counterpart.  Throughout the rest of the day they are running through skits, preparing lesson plans, learning positive discipline strategies and receiving training in sensitive issues and counseling.  

Though it is undoubtedly hard work and makes for a long day, there is no hiding the anticipation all the staff are feeling for the girls’ arrival in just 24 hours.