Girls Leading Our World with Peace Corps Romania
Girls Leading Our World with Peace Corps Romania
Candy Mirrer
Country Director, Peace Corps Romania
Bucharest - RO
Tell us what you do and the specific challenge you faced.
Peace Corps entered Romania in 1991, two years after the country?s revolution and the fall of communism. Peace Corps Romania currently has 170 volunteers serving in their communities the areas of education, business development, health, social services, and environment. A ?brain-drain? lures away thousands of Romania?s young people each year. Social and economic problems adversely affect those with the potential to effect change. Streets abound with twiggy girls striving for unnatural ballerina figures. Young women struggle to find their place in a young capitalist economy and a society that relegates them to the position of supporter and follower. They are unable to envision the realization of their dreams and their role as change agents and innovators; and rarely have the opportunity to leave their own immediate surroundings to exchange experiences with other young Romanians or youth from abroad. This article reflects the experience of Beka Lutz, a Volunteer in Sibiu.
What was your moment of truth?
Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) camps is a worldwide Peace Corps activity, begun in Romania. In June 2002, Peace Corps Volunteers organized a GLOW camp. Forty-six high school-aged young women from seven Romanian communities of varying sizes and economic strata came together in a small mountain village in Transylvania. They attended sessions on self-esteem, body image, domestic violence, decision-making, arts and crafts and sex education. We hoped to make them stronger by arming them with new information. We expected them to absorb all of this like sponges and transform themselves overnight. What we discovered, however, was that they were individuals who had to find their own ways to deal with this new knowledge and the challenges therein. The moment of truth came when a group of ?troublemakers?, decided to be bold and, inspired by camp sessions on conflict resolution, took the first step towards easing urban - rural tensions between campers. Subsequently, they used some of their newly acquired skills to make origami cranes for everyone at the camp as a sign of peace and friendship.
(The exact date? 7/1/2002)
What were the results?
After the surprise delivery, the camp atmosphere changed dramatically. At the concluding camp event, the girls? newfound solidarity became evident when Diana stood up to share a poem and received thunderous applause. Being shy, she never had the courage to speak in front of her peers, or read something so personal. She wrote: ?I learned that it is important to not care about what people say. I knew I had to beat my shyness and be myself?the girls cheered me for five minutes. It was great. I felt so important. For the first time in my life everyone respected me.?
What's your parting tip?
Tackle (Romania?s) problems by changing the minds of young people and encouraging them to be the agents of change
What role did technology play in your success? What revolutionary, business transforming thing has your company's technology made possible?
Comments that readers have made about this submission:
The PC volunteers sound like they are doing Romania a true service!
Arielle - USA
Blazing!
Adnan - Boston, MA, USA
Excellent work Beka! GO GLOW!
Jason - Iasi, Romania
Congratulation for the great results.As president of Women's Association of Romania, the first democratic women organisation in Romania after Revolution, I would like that our association to be involved in Peace Corps programs in next year.
Liliana Pagu - ROMANIA
Greetings, me again.Yes , young girls could be good agents of change in our country , but I consider that women in general can play the same role if they are soustained in this direction .Regarding the important of ICT in our activity we have a program named FEMINET wich promote this tool for women( it is possible to learn more about in our www.afr.ro) and on this year we develope a program concerning the importance of new technologies in disadvantaged rural areas . Our association has since 1994 a Business women Club , a initiative to help small and middle entrepreneurs in Romania and intend to organize a Center of information, documentation and education for them , just in case we receive funds to start this activity.
Liliana Pagu - Romania
This program is not only worthwhile but sorely needed in Romania.
Meghan - Wayland, NY, USA
I love this! We all know that our children are where we can find hope for the future, but GLOW and PC Romania are doing something amazing with that information. It seems to me that they are having what will be a limitless effect on the future of this country, not to mention the future of each individual life they touch. I can think of no better way to promote change than through the guidance education of our young girls to ensure that they grow to be confident, capable, and strong young women. Way to go GLOW and PCRO!!
Morgaen Hansen - Los Angeles, CA
Peace Corps people do great work and should get recognition
Read Kingsbury - Block Island, RI, U
Congratulatins! This is an extremely interesting article for us, Romanians, as well. You have spotted "our disease", you hit the nail on its head.The 50 years of communism destroyed very many good things in our country, still the most disastrous consequence is the damage produced in our mentality, our thinking. Since we have had the American Peace Corps Volunteers in our town Sibiu, we have been lucky to learn from them a lot.Self-esteem, being practical, active , energetic, and for me the most important thing: to volunteer to work for the others, for the community, to work in teams, are some of the lessons we are learning. Such qualities develop best in a democracy like the American one. I do hope that with this support form the American Volunteers, our young generation will taste life and build democracy in a way that we the older ones are not capable to deal with so easily, we are still "stained" by the communist regim. I am grateful for having Beka as a colleague and although she is much younger I do have lots to learn from her. I wish you a colleague like her.
Carmen Johannis - Sibiu, Romania
Peace Corps Volunteers are doing a great job being agents for positive change in people.
Peter Lutz - Dansville, New York, USA
By empowering youth to reach thier own individual potential, the citizens of Romania will see thier future.
Laura Lutz - Dansville, New York, USA
They are lucky to have Candy. She makes a difference!!
Randy Block - Larkspur, CA , USA
great article!
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It is exciting to see the impact of women working with women. It seems that just about the time I feel disheartened by world events, I encounter an article such as this and know that "it will be ok", as long as we have people like Becka Lutz, and others who dedicate their time and talents toward such worthwhile endeavors. Hooray!
Christine Burke - East Aurora, NY, USA
Working in Romania I can definitely agree that the definition of volunteerism and community is still a very communist one. "It's not my problem!" and "I don't have to worry about that, it's someone else's job!" are the excuses for apathy heard far too often. I think GLOW (and it's male parody TOBE) have given Romania's youngest generation a chance to understand that even they have a part to play in its future.
Curtis - Sighetu Marmatiei, Romania
As a woman in the United States, I take for grated the simple gift of knowledge that enlightens and informs my life. It's sad that there are millions of woman, young and old, that don't know how important and special they really are, not only to themselves, but to the community at large. It may seem like a small action, but it's programs like these that makes real change, one person at a time.
Elaine Carlsen - Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA
This is a powerful story of how people working one on one can effect greater and greater numbers. The ripple effect of a program like this will surely reach beyond the expectations of those that initiated the program. I worked with Peace Corps in Romania in the early 90s and it swells my heart to read about such dedication and service.
Carolyn Waterman - Florence Alabama USA
Bravo to Beka and all the others! You are making a lasting contribution to mankind with your work! You are helping these young women develop into total human beings by giving them experiences and developing feelings that they would never have otherwise had!
Kris Sessa - Boston, MA USA
Interesting story!
Annie - San Francisco, CA USA
I had the privelege to be in the first Peace Corps group to serve in Romania -- there were 12 of us. It was two years after Ceasescu and an incredibly dark time (literally -- there was a black market for light bulbs there were so few) and lots of waiting in bread lines. As I reflect upon it, what PCVs accomplish in resource constrained environments but with boundless motivation is really the essence of fast -- the focussed energy of motivated people.
Ray Kobs - Lexington MA, USA
As far as agents of change, this is a wonderful piece to read about. It takes one link to another to create that change through time. I was part of the team from Camp GLOW 1999 and we were faced with the same issues. It is so great to see that Camp GLOW continues to touch the lives of not just Romanians but the volunteers who work there. All lives are touched and changed in some way. Noroc so multi succes!
Kimberly Curry - Portland, Maine
Hi. I had the chance to be one of the girls in my highschool that went to Glow Camp in 2000, at Sovata. I want to thank all the Peace Corps volunteers for the incredible experience we gained there. It been a great chance for us, girls, to know each other better and to learn about how we can also have a major say in the way that the world is going. Thank You Peace Corps and i hope you have a long life!
Nicoleta Maglasu - Constanta, Romania
Hi. I had the chance to be one of the girls in my highschool that went to Glow Camp in 2000, at Sovata. I want to thank all the Peace Corps volunteers for the incredible experience we gained there. It been a great chance for us, girls, to know each other better and to learn about how we can also have a major say in the way that the world is going. Thank You Peace Corps and i hope you have a long life!
Nicoleta Maglasu - Constanta, Romania
Way to go PCV's! These young women have so much potential! Their creativity, intelligence, honesty, and curiosity inspired me time and time again as a PCV! Now, with continued contact I've been amazed with all they are involved in! Positively affecting the future of Romania! To GLOW's future and the future of an amazing country! Naroc!
Laura - RPCV Corabia/Sovata
This is a great idea and GLOW sounds like an excellent way to carry it out.
Jim - NYC
Hello! My name is Edina. I was born in Satu Mare, Romania. Until the year 2000, I had no clue what Peace Corps is. Now I know, and I am very glad that I had the chance to met all these great and beautiful people. Thanks to the Peace Corps and the attitude they are teaching to us...I am on my way to achieve a beautiful goal in my life: obtaining a degree at a New York University. I want to thank for all the Peace Corp stuff that they are working in my country and bring hope to us. At one Peace Corp Conference held at Timisoara in 2000, the main issue was: is it the Peace Corp effective or efficient enough...I have to tell you now guys you are both! Keep up the good work! Especially thank you HOPE! Edina
Edina Leiher - Satu Mare, Romania/ New York, USA
A great idea. A great organization. Great people running it. I hope GLOW is able to keep spreading its message for years to come.
Chris Sullivan - New York, NY
Fantastic piece. I am very proud to be associated with GAD in Romania and am delighted that word of the effectiveness and commitment of volunteers is gaining notice. Working with young people is rewarding and has long lasting effects. Congratulations to Becka and all the GLOWCAMP volunteers who believe in the work of GAD.
Geraldine Brown - Boston, MA., USA
Thank you Beka for sharing this story. It's wonderful that you and the other PCV's represent us so will to the world community. It's important to the US that we can wage Peace in these troubling time.
Val Ivey - Olympia, WA USA
Thank you Beka for sharing this story. It's wonderful that you and the other PCV's represent us so will to the world community. It's important to the US that we can wage Peace in these troubling time.
Val Ivey - Olympia, WA USA
lots of passion in this in a country that needs it.
Dr. Antonia Neubauer - Incline Village, NV USA
It is grand to hear of one person's growth through the GLOW program. As a PCV in Sibiu 1998-2000 I had the pleasure of knowing many of the folks who offered a GLOW camp in 1999 with great success. Families and friends from the USA sponsored many of the activities and were kep apprised of the outstanding results. Amy Nahley, John Scott, Linda Mormile, Jenn Varsek and more put their hearts into that camp and despite all kinds of typical organizational road-blocks succeeded in helping many young women see alternatives to past behaviors which kept them stuck. Hearty praises for those who risk their hearts in such endeavors! Peace!
Midge Merritt - Henrietta, NY
Thank you for a wonderful story, Candy. We tend to think of Peace as happening at macro levels, yet you remind us that it really is a matter of changing/opening one mind/heart at a time...and so quickly demonstrated at GLOW! As one who has led similar efforts in places like South Africa (which faces similar challenges), I applaud both your dedication and your ability to walk that fine line between enlightenment and intrusion. All the best to you, Beka and others with the follow-up/through and 2003 GLOW. Brava!
- Lucie - Pleasanton, CA
Hey Candy... I remember when you were a teaching assistant at BU in the early 80s... and you did a good job...
Al - Peabody, MA
Really amazing! you should do that at a larger scale, if possible...
Ali - Iasi, Romania
scintilating, superb, sensational
Hank - Romania
