Girls’ Leadership and Development (GLAD) Camp

In many towns and villages throughout Armenia, many young girls are unable to protect themselves against the diversity of stereotypes, anxieties, and culturally-imposed limitations. These range from body-image issues stemming from a cultural obsession with being thin, traditions pressuring girls to be quiet and obedient and stigmas associated with seeking help for mental and emotional issues. Of the 19 girls, aged 13-16, surveyed in a Margahovit community needs assessment, approximately two-thirds reported experiencing stress in their lives, with a range of negative behaviors and feelings associated with this stress, including: feeling hopeless and sad; experiencing anxiety and nervousness; feeling weak, imbalanced, and easy to set off; and not wanting to talk to or see anyone. While a number of girls report coping mechanisms generally regarded as healthy, such as talking to friends or taking a walk, the range of mechanisms is fairly narrow (not including a range of other effective methods including journaling, meditation, and preparation of healthy food) and includes methods generally regarded as negative (including avoiding problems, using the internet, and consuming sweets).

In the short term, 15 girls, ages 11-16, from the village of Margahovit will participate in a six-day camp at which they collectively establish a safe space to discuss mental and emotional health and stress and learn healthy ways to deal with the variety of stresses in their lives. Following the camp, these 15 girls will join the previous participants’ monthly club at which they discuss how they have been maintaining their mental and emotional health through the skills learned at the camp and support each other in their continuing communal safe space.

With the successful implementation of this project, in the long term the participants in our community will be mentally and emotionally healthier, equipped with the tools to handle the difficulties life throws at them, and thus ready to be stronger leaders in the community and spread this knowledge and skills to their peers. Given the variety of ways in which stress can affect girls’ participation and success in school, we also know that with the skills and abilities gained through this project the participants will experience greater academic enthusiasm and success.

Your donation to sponsor the GLAD Camp will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. Donors will also be listed on the GLAD Camp Facebook page announcements and in the wrap-up slideshow/video . Campers will also write thank-you notes to all supporters of the camp.