By Let Girls Learn

June 27, 2016

Support for women and girls is especially important, as they were disproportionately affected by the crisis. Peace Corps Liberia hosted its first Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) camp in 2014 just before the Ebola evacuation. This year's camp in May built on that foundation. The inspiration? A 21-year-old 10th grader named Ralphina.

Ralphina spent most of her childhood in a refugee camp in Guinea, but the civil war that displaced her from her home has not stopped her from chasing her dreams. Outgoing, curious and an actively engaged member of her community, Ralphina is dedicated to becoming a nurse. 

She seeks out the specialized science and math education from Maureen Loomis, a Peace Corps Volunteer in her area.

“A GLOW Camp can give Ralphina the tools to reach her goals and help her turn her innate leadership skills into something powerful both in and out of the classroom,” says Maureen Loomis, one of the Volunteers who planned and executed a six-day GLOW camp alongside Liberian colleagues.

The camp was specifically designed with 16- to 25-year-old Liberian girls like Ralphina in mind. GLOW aims to build their self-esteem, confidence and leadership abilities while creating an environment where girls can speak freely about difficult topics affecting themselves, other girls and their communities overall.

The first couple of days of camp focused on self-esteem building and included a closer examination of gender and healthy relationships. Volunteer Allison Sinning says the greatest success of these sessions was that many campers made significant changes in how they perceived domestic violence. For instance, one camper said, “I had never heard that, it is NOT okay for a man to beat his woman. I got a new idea today.”

The girls also wrote “Heroine Stories” where they were the protagonist, helping them recognize that they have the ability to overcome challenges and that their opinions are valuable. Practicing self-confidence is a skill often many Liberian girls do not have the chance to do. One camper said, “I didn’t know that I could write, that I could be an author, that I have a voice.”

Other activities focused on leadership qualities, how girls can become leaders and how to set goals for the future. The highlight, says Allison, was a career panel of Liberian women who talked about their own journeys.

One panelist, Yamah Kpadeh, acknowledged the hardships of women in Liberia ­- "To be a woman and to live under people, it's not easy, but I can be who I want to be” – while another, Yamah Zawu, emphasized persistence in reaching your goals: "You have to fight. You have to have courage. You have to be determined. You can't give up."

Afterwards, camper Dorcas was emotional. "I shed tears. I saw that they went through the same thing that I am. I need to just stay focused and worked hard. I will get there."

The camp closed with “Health Days,” with conversations about reproductive and sexual health, including family planning options. “I never knew the importance of family planning,” one camper said. “I got a real understanding.”

The girls were also able to ask questions about sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases. For Volunteer Maureen, a highlight was showing girls how to make reusable menstrual pads and guiding them through the importance of menstrual hygiene management.

GLOW Camp Liberia also focused heavily on malaria education. Though malaria is Liberia's #1 killer, many people believe it is just a common illness. The goal was to debunk myths about malaria and encourage campers to take the initiative to prevent malaria, starting at a personal level and reppling out to families and communities

"It brought me to tears to find out that every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria,” one girl said. “I thought it was just a common thing. I am going to start talking about malaria all the time with my friends, at my school, and in my community."

The impact of GLOW Camp Liberia 2016 can best be summarized by Ralphina:

“I am so happy to be part of this GLOW Camp. My mother did not want me to attend. She said, ‘If you leave for this camp, who will be here to do my work?’ I am going to show her my storybook, which I am so happy about. I want them to know something good came out of me. My mother is in an unhealthy relationship, which I am not happy with, but from what I have learned, I will be brave to share with her to help her make a positive decision now.” 

Ralphina and all the GLOW girls have been empowered to transform themselves, their communities, and their country.

Peace Corps Liberia is thrilled to continue and grow programming for women and girls as part of the Peace Corps’ Let Girls Learn program. In March 2016 Liberia was announced as a Let Girls Learn target country. First Lady Michelle Obama and Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet are visiting Liberia to visit additional GLOW camps like the one described here.