REDES Workshop

I have grown up attending summer camps, youth workshops and conferences, day camps and youth group meetings.  They have been experiences that I think have contributed a lot to who I am today, how I make decisions in my life, and how I think about my future. 

My girls, I swear they are happier than they look.  That's
just the cultural thing of not smiling in photos.
From left:Lidia, Gloria, Daria, Aida, Vanda, Amina, Menia

Here in Mozambique, I had the opportunity to share these experiences and bring 6 of my REDES (girls group) girls, along with my Mozambican counterpart and co-leader Lidia to a 2 day REDES workshop.  On Saturday, we boarded a chapa mini-bus and headed to Monapo, the site of my fellow volunteer Ariel who is also the National Coordinator of REDES.  There we joined 6 other REDES groups from Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces.  In total, the conference had 33 girls from 7 different sites, 9 Peace Corps Volunteers, and 8 Mozambican counterparts.

We started the conference on Sunday morning with some REDES songs and introductions.  I had no idea REDES had their own songs, but my girls quickly jumped in, singing their hearts out with the other girls.  Perhaps I will translate the famous “Make New Friends” song and teach it to my own girls in an upcoming meeting.

My counterpart Lidia leading her session

Following introductions, we started the workshop sessions.  The Mozambican counterparts ran almost all of the sessions, with their respective Peace Corps volunteer kind of supervising and filling in to answer questions or throw in an extra important point.  Throughout the two days, sessions included information on female biology and reproductive health, communication with partners, contraception including practicing proper condom use using a wooden penis model, HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention, HIV testing, income generation project planning, self-esteem, domestic violence and women’s rights.  It was quite the information packed two days, but the girls all seemed to enjoy themselves and learned  information we hope they will continue to pass on to the rest of their group and other friends.

Among many giggles and laughter, one girl
practices with the condom.

For most of these girls, this was probably their first time travelling anywhere outside of Nampula city.  They do learn about menstruation and pregnancy from their mothers, though usually not until they actually begin their period, and I can imagine the actual biology about what goes on during puberty and menstruation are probably never explained.  Most of these girls have experienced first-hand or know of close friends or family who have been abused, gotten pregnant in their early teens, or have HIV.  I don’t think ever in their lives has someone asked them to think about what qualities they like about themselves.  They are constantly told to use condoms, but who teaches them how to use one or why it is so important?  It was incredible seeing this group of girls engaging in discussions, sharing stories, and giving them the opportunity to see things outside of their everyday norm, showing them that they are strong and can change how things are sometimes in their culture. 

Murrupula girls in their t-shirts

On the last day of the conference, we surprised the girls by presenting each with a certificate and t-shirt.  Ariel announced, “We have a surprise for you,” after which I came out, unzipped my sweatshirt and proceeded to model the yellow REDES 2013 t-shirts.  I don’t think ever again in my life will I ever receive cheers anywhere near as loud as that!  The girls jumped out of their seats, screaming and clapping, and then chanting as I strutted from side to side, giving them a little spin.  My ears are still ringing from it.

Aside from the t-shirts, all the girls’ other favorite part was the evening dances held at the end of each day.  These girls could dance!  One group came prepared with decorated t-shirts and pompoms, others made up dances on the spot and they danced and danced the night away until about midnight the last night.  I grouped all the volunteers together and quickly created a dance to the ever popular Gangam style song, sprinkling in some classic American dance moves like the Macarena, disco, grapevine, and the monkey, much to the girl’s entertainment.

On Tuesday, it was time for everyone to head back to their sites.  For me, the greatest moment was the chapa ride home amongst non-stop chatter from my girls about the weekend and singing the songs they had learned.  I think they enjoyed themselves. I certainly did and it will be one of my favorite Peace Corps memories. J