Summer Camps

Since I’ve been back from Tanzania I have been keeping really busy- which has been great! Julie and I organized two three day long summer camps. The first was in nearby Bangafokam and was all girls. There were two adorable little 8 year olds but it was mainly girls 15 to 25. We covered HIV/AIDS, the immune system, the reproductive system, puberty and family planning. Instead of just lecture and having the girls take notes (we provided pens and notebooks so they could keep the information) we also did a lot a role playing and theater games. In one we have lions (opportunistic diseases) attack a baby elephant (the body) who is protected by mama elephants (the immune system). Another similar game shows how HIV attacks T4 cells and how you then develop AIDS; all of these games went over really well! We also played the Game of Life where the girls were given play money and could then buy anything (phone credit, beignets, healthy food, shoes etc), but sometimes they ‘got sick’ or had to unexpectedly spend money; all this was to help teach them about making smart choices when spending money and the importance of saving.

The second camp was in Bandrefam and this time it was for both girls and boys. The girls were for the most part really young, but eventually some older girls showed up too. The boys were in a separate classroom the first day and were together with the girls for the rest of the camp. I think next year I’ll keep it to just girls since they seemed a bit shy or embarrassed having boys around too. Also three days was barely enough time to cover everything…although I was so burnt out by the end! It was a really great experience for me and I loved the chance to get to know some of the youth a bit better. Oh and also we learned how to crochet little purses out of plastic bags (a fun activity and a chance to talk about recycling) and learned how to make soap- both of which are things I plan to show more people in village.

Last weekend the elites (their word, not mine) and the development committee had a meeting in village at the Chefferie. Julie and I set up a table to show them some of our work and to talk about what is Peace Corps. The GIC Paysans Plus sold all of their honey and the shea butter that women are making sold out too! It was a great opportunity for the elites to better understand my role here in Bandrefam. Also I got the chance to discuss the library project a bit. We have a tiny library now but are hoping to move it to the new technical school that is being built. Also we’re hoping to secure some more French books; another volunteer is working hard to get books donated and shipped here. I am asking the development committee for their support in this project; they would have to build bookshelves, get a librarian etc as part of the community contribution to the project. Anyway, we’ll see where that project goes!

That meeting kicked off a two week long festival in village. Every evening there is a soccer game and this tournament is a pretty big deal. Everyone dresses up a bit to watch the games, theres music and food too. I’ve received 40 free HIV tests and on Monday we’re giving them at the health center. I’ve been making announcements during the soccer matches and am really trying to target the youth. I’m a little worried that it’ll only be mamas showing up for a free test and that the younger people will be too scared or embarrassed to come, either way it should be an interesting day!