In keeping with tradition of Cape Verde PCVs in recent years, volunteers from Santo Antao decided to address the issue of Women and HIV/AIDS by conducting a weeklong behavior change camp. Camp Crioula, an adaptation of Peace Corp’s Camp Glow, is designed to provide young women with the information and life skills necessary to live a healthy and positive life.
An aspect that was critical to the success of the camp was holding a Training of Trainers (TOT) seminar. After identifying nine highly motivated community partners, we held a four day training course in order to instill AIDS awareness, behavior change models as well as valuable facilitation skills and strategies. Utilizing the Portuguese version of the Life Skills Manual, we provided the women with both the necessary information and strategies to lead their sessions, but we granted them the freedom to organize and deliver their lesson as they saw fit.
The original goal was directed towards building capacity with the girls in the community, however I underestimated the impact this camp would have on other participants as well. Many of the ladies we had asked to speak were experienced professionals and public speakers, however for others, this was their very first experience in handling such a role. After the close of that week, I had a woman who had been a first time formadore (speaker), approach me expressing her sincere gratitude and appreciation. “This was such a wonderful experience for all of us. This is something I wish I had been exposed to as a girl, as young females we lack this type of guidance and empowerment. I learned things about HIV/AIDS that I had never learned in school, and I learned things about myself and what I am capable of, things that I would not have seen had you not asked me to help with this camp.” Camp Crioula 2010 was a large success. The young girls gained skills in decision making, self esteem, and leadership, and the women gained something just as valuable…self-discovery.
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