This video was created by the Peace Corps volunteers and our host country partners here in Moldova, celebrating women in a unique way on International Women's Day on March 8, 2013. Special thanks to Julie Carter for editing.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
A New Structure for GLOW/TOBE
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
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Junior Directors of GLOW/TOBE lead their first TOT training for PC volunteers!
The newest members of the GLOW/TOBE team, Laura Demmel, Kimberly Ingeman, Matt Rutter, and Julie Carter teamed up with veterans Lindsay McDaniel, Maggie Farmer, and Theresa Salmon to conduct a day-long training seminar for Peace Corps volunteers.
Using the new award-winning training-of-trainers structure, the GLOW/TOBE team lead volunteers through a ten-step program intended to create leaders and gender-equality superstars out of motivated Moldovan partners.
We all worked hard...but had some fun too :)
And we ended the day with some glamorous photo booth shots!! :)
 |
| The senior directors |
 |
| The junior directors |
Go team!! :)
If you'd like to get involved with the GLOW/TOBE initiave in Moldova email us at glowtobe.moldova@gmail.com or contact us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GLOWTOBEMoldova
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
GLOW/TOBE Moldova Unites with GLOW/TOBE Romania!
This July
GLOW/TOBE Moldova had the great opportunity to visit GLOW/TOBE Romania and
attend their three day Training of Trainers conference. Executive directors of
GLOW/TOBE Moldova were given resources, made useful contacts, and shared experiences
and knowledge on how to run successful GLOW/TOBE initiatives.
The conference included hands on activities to train and inspire trainers!
Discussion and
resource sharing was encouraged between participants
New friends
were made and a greater GLOW/TOBE international network now exists!!
To see more photos from this amazing GLOW/TOBE Romania Training of Trainers conferences visit their picasso albums:
Thursday, May 17, 2012
GLOWing in Gordinesti, Edinet!
.jpg)
The PC volunteer in
this village took a survey on the topics the girls were most interested. After
finalizing the topics, the girls had the opportunity to chose the seminar they
would like to lead (in pairs). They were given materials and lesson plans used
in the past by volunteers. Each pair led seminars on the following
topics: dating, human trafficking, and violence.
.jpg)
One PCV also led a
seminar on future planning. All of the seminars were informative, engaging and
full of great activities. The girls that led the seminars prepared amazing
lessons and activities. Not only did the girls that attended the seminar learn
about the interesting topics, but they observed how accessible and
fun it is to lead a GLOW seminar. They are excited to
lead more in the future!
Monday, May 14, 2012
GLOW Comes to Brînzenii Vechi
On 17-18 March 2012, Brînzenii Vechi Theoretical High School hosted a GLOW seminar for girls in grades nine through twelve. Over the course of the seminar, Peace Corps Volunteers Crystal H. and Chelsea M., along with PCV Emily V. and her Moldovan partner teacher, Mariana Banari, facilitated sessions on the following student-selected topics: self-esteem, stereotypes, gender roles, domestic violence, communication, nutrition, leadership, and future planning. The facilitators conducted their sessions in an atmosphere which fostered open discussion, and the participants said that they enjoyed being able to communicate with each other and the facilitators (their teachers!) as equals. Indeed, it was the students’ active participation in all of the sessions which truly made this seminar a success. After an amazing weekend of learning, sharing, and laughing, the seminar’s fifteen participants said that they would like to lead a similar seminar for their peers. Thank you, GLOW, for empowering the young women of Brînzeni!
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