On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the grounds of Vryman’s Erven Secondary School in Berbice, Region Six, buzzed with a powerful energy.
The facilitators along with he girls that participated in the Glo Girl Camp
Forty adolescent girls from Grades 8 to 10 had gathered for an event that promised more than workshops—it was a call to action and a spark for change.
The occasion? The Glo Girl Camp. This camp is an initiative designed to equip young girls with the tools and confidence to tackle gender-based challenges and build a brighter future.
Spearheaded by a coalition of organisations—EmpoweredFem Guyana, Barrels of Love International, InsideOut, and the Mother’s Union of Guyana – the Glo Girl Camp set its sights on empowering young participants to become community leaders.
Through interactive sessions and discussions, the camp sought to instil decision-making skills, foster healthier relationships, and enhance overall well-being.
A TARGETED APPROACH
The girls, aged 12 to 15, were handpicked after careful assessments by the school’s guidance counsellor, Raquel Wade, and headteacher, Shaundel Phillips.
This selection process ensured that those most in need of support and inspiration received a seat at the table.
The programme offered a safe space for the girls to voice their fears, explore solutions, and take ownership of their future.
The sessions were led by a team of facilitators, including Denica Henry, Marissa Foster, Seeta Dalloo, Yvonne Barrow, Stephanie Persaud, and Adele Minty.
Each session focused on practical ways to stay safe, set personal boundaries, and build confidence, while also encouraging the girls to be role models in their schools and communities.
TACKLING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
One of the camp’s standout features was its focus on combating gender-based violence (GBV). Through role-playing exercises, scenario discussions, and the dissection of real-life GBV cases from Guyana, the girls gained a deeper understanding of this pervasive issue.
The sessions went beyond education, sparking meaningful dialogue and equipping the participants with informed strategies to address GBV in their environments.
COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT
The Glo Girl Camp began with Stephanie Persaud of Barrels of Love International (USA) and Yvonne Barrow of InsideOut, who reached out to EmpoweredFem for support.
EmpoweredFem, with its intimate knowledge of the local community, recommended Vryman’s Erven Secondary as the ideal starting point.
Barrow took charge of the logistics, securing funding from the Mother’s Union of Guyana.
Meanwhile, Persaud contributed thoughtfully curated gift bags filled with educational resources, stationery, and inspirational keepsakes for the girls – a tangible reminder of their worth and potential.
BUILDING LEADERS AND CHANGEMAKERS
With the full support of Miss Phillips, the camp’s curriculum covered a wide range of topics:
- Understanding Gender-Based Violence
- Mental Health and Coping Skills
- Building Healthy Relationships and Boundaries
- Purpose-Finding and Self-Esteem Building
- Girls as Leaders and Changemakers Against GBV
Interactive activities kept the girls engaged, while an empowerment pledge marked the end of the day—a promise to share their newfound knowledge and stand as beacons of change.
LOOKING AHEAD
At the end of the workshop, the participants expressed how it opened their eyes to new perspectives and practical life skills.
Some even suggested topics like poverty and sexual abuse for future sessions.
Buoyed by the success of the inaugural camp, the organising team is already planning a second phase for early next year.
With aspirations to expand the initiative to other communities across Guyana, the team is calling on local groups and organisations to join forces in spreading the programme.
