GLOW

October 21^st, 2012

Hey Everyone! 

The purpose of this blog post is to tell you about an exciting project that I am working on and to offer you an opportunity to help if you can.

The project is a gender empowerment effort known as Project GLOW (Girls Leading Our World). This will be the second year of GLOW’s existence in Swaziland and its premier activity will be a five day leadership camp for teenage girls scheduled for the April school vacation. Through a Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP), partial funds are available to support the camp, however it is the role of those of us who will design and lead the camp to obtain matching funds from friends and family back home.

Camp GLOW’s purpose is to provide a safe and supportive environment for girls where they can receive information and training in the areas of leadership, female health issues, self-discovery and career planning. The camp will nurture exploration of personalities, individual talents and will fortify the resolve of young woman to break out of stereotypes and behaviors that hinder their success and happiness. Girls that attend Camp GLOW will be expected to return to their schools and communities and initiate GLOW Clubs and to share the information and skills that they have acquired.

Because the U.S. dollar goes a long way over here no donation is too small. Your contribution will go directly to Camp GLOW and will most likely be applied to providing meals for the campers and for providing transportation to and from the camp location. 

There are several ways you can donate but online is the easiest.  If you want to donate but by check rather then online please email me at Bethany.leech@hotmail.com and I can send you directions on how to donate and the form you need to do so!

Monetary Donations:

Online: this is the easiest way.

1. Go to the following website:
https://donate.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.donatenow
2. Find Swaziland Camp GLOW Project.  Click on project name “Camp GLOW”.
3. Add donation amount in the “donation” box provided on the right of the page.
4. Submit personal information.
5. Confirm information.

 In Kind Donations: this refers to the donation of items and supplies rather than money.  Some supplies that are needed are listed below. 
All in kind donations should be mailed to the following name and address:

Clerisse Lemke, PCV

P.O. Box 2797

Mbabane, H100

Swaziland, AFRICA

Please specify on a piece of paper inside the box that the items are for Camp GLOW.

Toiletries: Deodorant Shampoo/Conditioner Soap Toothpaste Toothbrush *Feminine Sanitary    Products (See note below)	Arts and Crafts: Paper Markers Crayons Colored Pencils Stickers Scissors Glue Necklace/bracelet how-to packets	Sports: Soccer ball Jump rope Air pump Dodge ball
Sweets: Chocolate Candy Smores Gum	Games: Card games Board games Sudoku	Educational Materials: Teen easy-read books Motivational/Goal Oriented reading materials
Clothes: Jacket/Fleece Light-weight blanket	Other: Glow sticks Magazines Lip stick/Nail polish

*Note: if sending tampons please send only light and regular size, not the super.

On behalf of all of the GLOW girls, campers and volunteers, I thank you in advance for anything that you can do to help us empower females and improve the lives of all who live in this small nation of Swaziland.