In the last
couple of years, GLOW/TOBE Moldova has significantly changed its training
program. The new model is for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) to train
a Moldovan adult/older youth leader to facilitate GLOW/TOBE events (rather than
the PCVs being the leaders). We recognize Moldovans are the best
people to understand the areas of need for youth in their respective
communities, and we know Moldovans are the ones who will lead their youth,
communities, and country to success in the years to come. I think of the
words of Lilla Watson who said, "If you have come here to help me, you are
wasting our time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound
up with mine, then let us work together." I long to give as many
opportunities for personal growth and leadership opportunities to youth as
possible and so does the GLOW/TOBE Leader with whom I've been working.
Because we share this goal and we want youth to be as free and empowered as
possible, we can work together toward this goal.
Planning Process
I feel so
lucky to have found Elena in my community. She's a teacher of English, a
passionate leader, and fully capable and focused in all she does. Last
fall, I introduced her to the idea of GLOW/TOBE and asked if she would like to
go through the training program with me. She responded, "Yes,
anything to help the youth in our community!" The GLOW/TOBE Training
Program consists of ten meetings all focused on preparing for a specific event,
such as a workshop, camp, seminar, or round table discussion. The
training covers these particular areas:
·
Introduction to GLOW/TOBE
·
Needs Assessment
·
Development of agenda with goals, objectives, and theme
·
Development of activities within the event
·
Logistics
·
Fundraising and publicity
·
Modeling and simulation of event
·
Final check-in
·
Evaluation
I can
honestly say the process has been rewarding, and I think we have both learned
about ourselves. I learned that time flies with this training and that
although the program seems to be long, it's actually very short.
Additionally, the planning process is simply there to assist you in covering
everything you need to do to facilitate a quality event.
The Workshop
After a few
months of planning (more or less one hour a week or less), Elena led a workshop
for ten 10th grade girls, focused on self-esteem and
self-confidence. At the start of the workshop, the girls were less
than thrilled to be there, but by the end, they were talkative, engaged, and
wondering when the next event would be. When we told them we wished to
have a GLOW Leadership Camp this summer and that we needed junior counselors
with high self-esteem, many of them jumped in to volunteer!
During the
workshop, we introduced them to GLOW/TOBE. We utilized this activity,
which required them to work and communicate in pairs, develop a strategy as a
team, and improve as a whole. They then met in the middle, representing a
central meeting point and target.
GLOW's
mission is to empower Moldovan young women to become creative, confident, and
action-oriented leaders in the workplace, community, and home. We focused
most on creating confident leaders during this workshop. Through
interactive activities, Elena discussed with the girls the definition of
self-esteem, real-world circumstances which impact self-esteem positively or
negatively, and how to improve one's self-esteem. This video was
presented, indicating how mass media may falsely portray the image of feminine
beauty:
Additionally, the workshop emphasized the importance of recognizing one's own
health and beauty, encouraging participants to focus on one's unique strengths
and abilities.
By Laura Demmel
