The Camp BRO bros |
“I want to start a hospital that has a neurosurgeon,” a
young man says in response to fellow PCV
Danielle’s question asking for the
fifty boys what their goals are.
It is Saturday morning and I am exhausted after staying up
the night before doing evening activities with the same boys. I am exhausted
but profoundly happy.
Camp BRO [Boys Respecting Others] is the male equivalent to
the Camp GLOW I co-directed in September.
Unlike in September, however, I am not in charge this time. This means that I
have the energy and enthusiasm to lead energizers and activities and to joke
around with the guys.
Nt Lebohang from the Business Economic Development Corporation leads a session on business. |
Yolanda, an amazing woman that lived in my training village
back in Pre-Service Training, has done an astounding job planning the camp.
Nearly all the sessions-covering topics including goal setting, leadership,
business skills, career development, gender, and sexual reproductive
health-have at least one host country speaker or organization leading the
session. This helps the participants to connect with a number of professionals
in their community but also dramatically increases the amount of effort Yolanda
has had to invest in communicating and planning.
Danielle smiling during her HIV test. |
Later in the day, I am co-facilitating the session on Sexual
Reproductive Health with some volunteers from the Lesotho Red Cross. As I
discuss the female reproductive system, I am again surprised as most of the
many questions I am asked are about the biology and genetics of reproduction,
not sex.
That night we have a bonfire with s’mores. Jamilla, another
PCV, starts doing some call and response camp songs. When Boom Chicka Boom
begins, I jump up with enthusiasm. I have not sung my favorite verses of this
camp classic in years and I am absurdly excited.
The new BRO Club president hands out certificates to his Bros. |
Living in my community in rural Botha Bothe, I forget that I
am great working with youth. I keep myself busy with Grassroot Soccer programs, teaching life skills at school, and
working with the women in myorganization. This work, however, happens predominantly in Sesotho. When I
work in Sesotho, I find I lose the playfulness of my personality and I have to
work so much harder to convey my content or explain activities. At camps like
GLOW and BRO, however, I am working with high school students, who are more
accustomed to English. I find my personality returns and the work is more fun
and less work. It is a great reminder as to what had me teaching in the
classroom, on ships, and in the woods.
So that said, thanks Yolanda for all of your
efforts in planning this camp. And thanks to the rest of the camp staff-‘M’e
‘Mahlapi, Adrian, Corinne, Ryan, Jamilla, and Danielle-working with you was wonderful!
Adrian catches a water balloon during a relay. |
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