Behind the Internship: The Carolina Way

Dean gives a shout out to the Carolina Way
on top of Mt. Nkhoma, Malawi.

I'm here, in Malawi, because of Eve.

During my final semester of high school, in March of 2008, I finalized my college plans. I was over-eager to end one chapter of my life. To me, my life was just beginning.

In that same month, UNC-Chapel Hill student body president Eve Carson, during her final semester of college, was murdered -- shot on the side of the road after being forced into her car and driven to ATMs to withdraw cash in the middle of night. The fourth gunshot ended her life.

Eve was exceptional.

On top of being elected student body president by her peers, she was a Morehead Scholar (UNC's most renowned and prestigious full scholarship), a member of Phi Beta Kappa (she had a 3.9 GPA), a tutor at local public schools, and a counselor for UNC's camp for incoming new students.

Her multitude of friends cherished her love for life and her capacity for compassion. They light up when they talk about her.

But before she was killed, Eve spoke of something that will never die. Something that I have come to find here in Malawi, 9,000 some miles away from UNC. We Tar Heels call it the "Carolina Way."

Eve's idea of the Carolina Way was something that UNC students have been putting into practice for years, even before she gave it a name. 

In 2000, a group of UNC students came to Malawi looking for adventure. They found poverty, disease and hunger in overwhelming amounts. But they also found the warmest people in Africa.

In 2001, World Camp was back. They came prepared with a curriculum to teach in primary schools across Malawi, hoping to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS -- which has devastated nearly 12 percent of Malawi's population. Their idea -- to use practical and sustainable approaches to educate kids in Malawi about the effects of HIV and how to prevent it -- is still in place today. 

Since then, World Camp's mission has developed significantly. But the core remains the same; World Camp works to empower children and communities through education. It approaches serious issues in developing countries with basic, engaging techniques. It strives to help communities have happy, educated kids.

Its mission, I've found, is exactly what Eve meant when she defined the Carolina Way. In October 2007 she wrote, "Inclusion, involvement, diversity, acceptance, 'seeking to be great but always remembering that we must be GOOD' - this is just the START of the Carolina Way."

Dean with kids at Chinguwo Full Primary School.

I'm the only Carolina undergrad this time at World Camp, but I see the Carolina Way in everyone I work with. I see it in Malawians too. The Carolina Way is global. 

Eve's legacy in Chapel Hill inspired me to do many things. But mostly, I think, it left me wanting to tackle problems -- to commit my life to working for a just and fair world. World Camp shares that notion. Its mission embodies so much of what Eve believed in. And I truly believe that too.

Every day here, my experience stretches any expectation I had before coming. Each conversation teaches me something new. Each interaction increases my love for Malawi. But more importantly, I think, World Camp has renewed my sense of idealism-- my hope that our world's most complex and painful problems can be addressed with simple solutions, small steps and compassion. And from the people of Malawi I see an equal amount of idealism -- a hope for friendship, for knowledge, for the power of mind to handle painful and difficult problems. 

World Camp is a product of minds committed to creating a better, healthier and more sustainable world. It is a product of selflessness, of tireless work, of an undying, persistent compassion for humanity.

World Camp is a product of the Carolina Way.

At her funeral, former UNC chancellor James Moeser spoke of the Carolina Way that Eve believed in: "A commitment to others, a commitment of service to the community, to the state, and indeed to the world; a commitment to social justice, to fair play and equal opportunity for all; for the environment; for access to healthcare and affordable education." 

World Camp's mission is unique. It's inspiring. The way we deal with devastating problems is practical: educate children and their communities about the facts of HIV/AIDS, malaria and the environment. Make it interactive. Make it fun. Do it with energy. Do it with compassion. Do it for humanity. Seek to be great, remember to be good.

Submitted by: Dean Drescher, Malawi SS2 2011 Intern

Behind the Internship: A Fresh Perspective on Change

Going into World Camp, my plan was simple: go to college, get a degree, then work for a charity in order to aid the less fortunate. This had been the plan for years, and as far as I could tell, it would remain so. And then I went to my first Malawian school. I went in to teach the kids, but instead found myself learning and receiving, just as much as I was giving. They talked about their cultures, values, their views of azungus (foreigners), their morals, practices, and motives. A whole new world was opened to me, an entirely fresh perspective with which to view everything. It was within that school, within those first few hours, that my plan- my solid, rock-hard, immobile plan- took a one-eighty. Creating change is not about the haves giving to the have-nots. Creating change is about finding a junction where different cultures with different resources and knowledge and beliefs and solutions can come together and mutually give and take. That is where progress can spawn and issues can be resolved.

World Camp emanates this perfectly. While I did not recognize it at first, too full of my own untried notions, after I came to the realization myself, it became obvious that the way the curriculum is built, with the subjects of HIV/AIDS, environmental degradation and gender being discussed instead of lectured, supports and exemplifies this ideal. I have heard it mirrored in coordinators and volunteers alike, all of whom have either been affected by the program or have come to these conclusions individually, and hence have teamed up with World Camp knowingly, so that they too could be a part of the change that is being created here, day by day, discussion by discussion.

Submitted by: Elena Clark, Malawi SS2 Intern

Behind the Internship: A Word from KG

Alright, we are on Day 16 of World Camp. This is K. G., the only guy in this session other than Reinier, a Program Coordinator (cool dude; he’s from Holland). I’ve been having a great time so far. We finished one school and we’re halfway through the second one. Though we are in a peaceful country, yesterday was a political demonstration, so we stayed in the house just to be safe. That was fun.

Anyways, we hiked a huge mountain on Sunday. This was actually very entertaining, but incredibly exhausting. I’ve been having fun, and I’m certain that everybody else is as well. If anybody who can attend World Camp that hasn’t already is reading this, I sincerely urge you to do so. It has been the greatest experience of my life, and I’m not even halfway through! I’ll miss everyone when I’m in college.

Written by SS2 Intern KG Younger.

Malawi Demonstrations

Not since the establishment of a democratic governance for Malawi in 1994 has there been such political unrest sweeping the nation. Over the past week groups of demonstrators have taken to the streets in many municipalities across Malawi in protest of fuel shortages, dramatic fuel price increases and overall economic hardship. The demonstrations are unprecedented for this normally tranquil country and come on the heals of rising criticism for repressed civil rights.

We are disturbed by reports of violence in some areas of Malawi and hope that the people and government are committed to peaceful discussions. We want to thank family and friends of World Camp for all your emails and support and want everyone to know that everyone on our team in Malawi is safe and doing well. The location of the World Camp Residence was largely unaffected by the demonstrations and has remained quiet. Our team did cancel all projects for the week and have been taking a much deserved rest and focusing their energies on future program development.

We are all saddened by the loss of life and looting across the nation and hope that genuine dialogue for solutions to the persistent fuel shortages and general economic hardship prevail. World Camp remains committed to  supporting a new generation of adults who will help provide simple sustainable solutions to the complex problems of poverty and HIV in Malawi.

On behalf of the entire team in Malawi we thank you for your support and look forward to getting back to work as soon as possible.

Behind the Internship: A first week in Malawi

It’s the end of the first week and it’s gone by soooo quickly! Our first camp was at Balangombe; it came as a surprise that I ended up leading the teacher workshop, as it is holiday for students in Malawi and there weren’t enough kids for four classes. But, we’re in Africa and things do not always run smoothly here! At first I was nervous because I wasn't prepared. However, I ended up really enjoying the workshop.

Initially I thought that, since HIV/AIDS is such a big problem in Malawi, schools mustn’t be educating children much about it. Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong about that. The teachers were so caring and so enthusiastic about learning from our curriculum. Originally this worried me a little because I didn’t want them to feel as though I was telling them how to do their job. It took some of the teachers a few days to open up, the women mainly, but we did have some characters! We took the teachers to observe other interns teaching classes and then discussed what they thought of our information and methods. The teachers were really happy with the activities and games we play with the kids; they said they were fun and kept the kids interested, yet were still thought-provoking and demonstrated that they had learned something. The teachers then spoke about how they could incorporate these activities into their own curriculum or include them in their after school clubs. It was fantastic to see this!

Although I couldn’t have hoped for better staff, it’s sad to think of the limitations and lack of resources these teachers face. Our studies in England include activities such as going on trips, watching videos and downloading podcasts. We have access to all these effective methods but don’t even realize how lucky we are. In fact, a lot of us complain about school. The teachers, however, addressed this issue throughout the workshop. During their community presentation on day four of camp, the teachers played World Camp's "Population Impact Game" using their own resources. This was so great because it shows that the workshop was a success.

I'm really looking forward to working as a teacher facilitator for our third camp as well. Though I guess it could be a similar experience or something completely different. For now, however, I’m excited to work with kids next week.

I love traveling, so getting to see Africa is a big part of this experience for me. My first impressions has been great. When the plane landed the sun coming up looked so pretty from through the window. Once I'd gone through customs, Karen, a World Camp Coordinator met me; we then set off for the house in a Landrover. It was a lot like how I’d imagined it would be: dusty, a mass of flat grasslands, the bright warm sun, despite the fact that it’s actually winter here right now. Women and children were wrapped in patterned cloths, carrying water on their heads, trekking into the distance, probably with miles left to go.

One image stuck in my head is this traffic queue when the rover came to a halt. A boy, probably about 14 years old, led a blind man up and down the queue, begging along the vehicles. I felt really uneasy, as I realized that, although I was in this beautiful country, I would still see or hear things are would be upsetting. I have explored the town and the markets near our house since then, as well as the villages where we run the camps. But there’s still a lot left to see. Later today we’re climbing a mountain that I’ve been told has an amazing view. One of those views you can see for miles from the top of. So in a nutshell, the bad and the good often come together. In general, I’ve had a great time so far and am really looking forward to the next month.

Submitted by: Katie Wilkinson, Malawi SS2 Intern

Behind the Internship: Challenging Understandings and Decision Making

"Arriving in Malawi, I can already feel a different atmosphere; one personified by enthusiasm and encouragement. En route to Lilongwe, I heard many times that life is different here. One woman from Malawi put it like this: “In some ways, life in Africa is nicer than it is in America. It’s simpler. You’re not always in competition with others or trying to get ahead.” The land is beautiful in Lilongwe and the people are so welcoming. 

The morning after I arrived, I met John, who works at the World Camp House. He greeted me in the kitchen, and automatically said, “Welcome to Malawi” followed shortly thereafter by “Thank you” as he placed both of his hands on my shoulders and repeated that again, “Thank you”. John eagerly introduced me to the other individuals at the house: his wife, Angoni’s wife, and his eldest daughter. As each of them shook my hand, all of the women gripped their wrist and then curtsied with a sign of respect. It was a small gesture, yet it just made me feel very thankful to have them as new companions. Malawi is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”, and so far, I have no trouble believing it. Although I have met only a few people who have traveled to Malawi before this trip, I can honestly say I have never met a person that has traveled to Malawi and not wanted to return. 

Ashley Hedges, Malawi SS2 Intern, with kids from Mchezi's
Youth Group brainstorming ways to help someone with HIV
care for  their medical needs.

Friday was our first time traveling out of the house as an entire intern group, and we spent a few hours of the day at Mchezi Community Based Organization. It was an opportunity for us to see the Coordinators in action, teaching the curriculum we would be teaching in just a few days. It was a great atmosphere, but it also reminded me of what brought me to Malawi. 

I had the opportunity to work with a small group of students as they completed an activity for class. As a pharmacy student, I was excited to have the opportunity to work with a group of students that were instructed to list the medications that HIV patients have to think about in order to take care of themselves. But before the activity even got started, the boy next to me shared his thoughts about HIV. He said, “If I found out I was HIV+, I would kill myself.” The young gentlemen across from him laughed and then nodded solemnly in agreement with him. Here I was, studying for a doctoral degree in the United States, and a small boy next to me, maybe no older than 8 years old, was not sure he even wanted to live out his future if this change was to occur in his life.

This was the first time I really understood the core of the World Camp mission. I am not here merely to teach a few lessons and clarify a few concepts for kids. Our goal as interns is to challenge the children’s understanding of the concepts they have heard about and then introduce a few new ones. However, more importantly, our goal is to empower these children to feel like they can deal with the difficult decisions they may have to deal with in their lifetime. I recognize that care for an HIV+ person may differ drastically here than it does for Americans in the US, but no 8 year old boy should feel like his life would be over as a result of being diagnosed with HIV. 

Just from this one experience, I know that my time here will be challenging, and that I will learn a lot from the children I work with during the next 5 weeks. I only hope that I can leave them with a little bit of inspiration, so that they believe they can take charge of their lives and live life to the fullest, I hope to leave this in return for all of the welcoming, encouragement I already feel from the Malawian people."

Submitted by: Ashley Hedges, Malawi SS2 Intern

Zikomo Kwambili SS1 2011!

We'd like to give a shout out and huge thank you to all our SS1 interns and all of you who helped get them here!

Our 6 interns came from 2 countries, 4 states, 5 universities, and with wonderfully eclectic personalities and interests. They worked on developing our Effects of Deforestation curriculum section, tested out a new approach to Student Activism, deepened our January group's impact at Mchezi CBO and brought new ways to relax at the WC house with challenging card games, epic ping pong tournaments and delicious new cookie recipes. All in all, it was a great session. If you don't believe us, just check out our numbers:

-Reached 5 school communities

-Conducted 2 outreach projects

-Worked w/30 teachers

-Empowered 369 students

-Met w/4 School Management Committees

-Developed 3 curriculum sections

-Cooked 660 kg of ufa (that's a lot of nsima, even more happy bellies!)

-Consumed 48 jars of peanut butter

Way to go Bri, Jamie, Stewart, Liza Ann, Nicole, and Nick. Hope to see you again soon. Zikomo kwambili!

Behind the Internship: Lessons Through Dancing

"During one of our weeks at camp, my teaching partner and I were having a very tough time getting the kids we were working with to participate.  This was not uncommon, as the topics that we were discussing, HIV in particular, are somewhat taboo topics to bring up.  Many of the children were uncomfortable answering questions as well as asking their own.  

Bri Skees, Malawi Intern, leading morning games at camp.

Suddenly, I realized that the kids really love to dance.  What better way of getting them to participate than to persuade them with something that they love?  It worked like a charm.  As soon as we told the kids that if they get a question correct, they could come up and dance, kids left and right were raising their hands. 

This was a huge relief on so many levels.  First, I was granted reassurance that the children I was working with were taking in the information we were discussing.  Secondly, it was such a relief that I finally realized how to get these kids to break out of their shell—using something familiar and fun for them, like dancing!  I felt a bit unsure about using this method at first, but I think that one of the goals of World Camp, or at least a goal of mine, is to let kids know that learning about difficult topics is important, but they don’t need to feel uncomfortable learning about them.  Difficult topics can be intertwined with fun, off-topic activities, especially if it can increase their learning abilities. 

It is okay to venture from the curriculum for the benefit of your students, and that was a very important lesson for me to learn.  Kids all over the world love to have fun.  While their ideas of what fun might be vary incredibly, it is a commonality with all children.  Therefore, learning what your kids think is fun and persuading them with those activities is perfectly fine, as long as they are learning along the way."

Submitted by: Bri Skees, Malawi Intern SS1 2011

Outreach Project: Increase Condom Use and Decrease HIV/AIDS Stigmas

Mchezi CBO in Malawi. 

Recent success with World Camp outreach projects in Malawi remind us of Margaret Mead's words, "Never doubt that a small group of dedicated individuals can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Well lately, that small group of people includes World Camp interns and villagers in Mchezi, and that change is combatting HIV transmission by breaking down barriers and stigmas associated with condom use.

Proper, consistent use of condoms significantly reduces the likelihood of HIV transmission. It is a crucial element in combatting HIV/AIDS, as unprotected sex is the most common mode of HIV transmission worldwide. The Cochrane review study reports that condom use can reduce HIV transmission by as much as 94% (Source: World Health Organization Reproductive Health Library)! Yet in many places around Malawi, stigmas against condom use, and even a lack of knowing how to use a condom, are quite prevalent. Thus, condom use is an important element of World Camp's HIV prevention curriculum at both schools and during outreach projects.

World Camp first worked with members at Mchezi this past January 2011. Our 6 interns worked with CBO members of all ages for a 1 day workshop. The group centered topics around the biological basics of HIV/AIDS. Interns covered how the virus is passed from person to person and how individuals can protect themselves and their loved ones from contracting HIV. Proper condom use was a major focus of World Camp’s work that day. This workshop included demonstrations on the proper use of both male and female condoms; interns also answered numerous questions about condom use, effectiveness, manufacture and safety. Though the group realized they had only reached the tip of the iceberg of a very important issue, interns nonetheless left Mchezi that day feeling successful in how they tackled the misconceptions surrounding condom use. 

And now we have the data to prove World Camp’s programming helped promote condom use within the communities surrounding Mchezi! In 2010, Mchezi distributed a monthly average of 82 male condoms and just 4 female condoms. However, since World Camp’s programming in January 2011, distribution at Mchezi increased to a monthly average of 166 male and 85 female condoms!! In other words, more than twice as many male condoms and twenty times as many female condoms are currently being used by members of Mchezi CBO and those living nearby! 

 The above images reflect Mchezi’s logs of their monthly condom distribution.

Just three weeks ago, World Camp’s Summer Session 1 interns ventured back to Mchezi to conduct a follow-up project. Interns reviewed the basics of HIV/AIDS and the benefits of condom use. In an effort to deepen our impact, interns also worked with groups to tackle issues of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

This past weekend, World Camp headed back to Mchezi for a third workshop!  Programming included more information on the biology of HIV/AIDS and how the virus can affect anyone. Teachers covered the practical and realistic ways members of Mchezi can assist those living with HIV and further fight stigma and discrimination. Stay tuned for updated condom distribution numbers and feedback from both World Camp and Mchezi participants!

Submitted by: Karen Clark, Malawi Program Coordinator

Behind the Internship: Face, Eyes, and Smile

About one and a half years ago I watched the movie “I Am Because We Are”. A friend rented it and at first I had little to no interest in watching it. I had no idea what it would do to me and how my life would eventually be forever changed. I ended up searching and discovered getting to Malawi was not as easy as I had originally hoped. Malawi is very poor and is not one of the Sub Sahara African countries that has an easy access to link up with a Non-Government Organization regardless of if it is faith based or not. I started making phone calls, sending emails and soon I heard about World Camp for Kids. Little did I know that about 10 years prior a group of university kids stepped out with heart, kindness and generosity to make a difference in Malawi, Africa. Little did they know that their efforts would lead to a Canadian boy 10 years later getting a chance to go out and be a drop in the ocean of the world of need. World Camp opened the door for this kid to come to Malawi and for me to really see what it means to serve, learn and grow as an individual and with others. I feel on purpose, and I hope that one day you and I are serving with World Camp in Malawi!! But what is purpose anyways?

            While growing up and still today I often ask myself and ponder what is the meaning or purpose of life. What is the end the result supposed to look like? What is the role of relationship with people who frustrate you and others whom you adore and cannot close your eyes without thinking about? What does it even mean to be a “good person” in a world filled mostly with individuals who are selfish and cannot love themselves let alone others ……………. This includes myself?!

            At age 37 a women followed the call of her heart. I wonder for these first 37 years the battles and struggles she faced, did she face the same questions I listed above. Is it perhaps the fact that her inner soul cried out for answers that she responded and lived a life on purpose. A woman not married, a human like us, created by God, saved by Christ but perhaps still facing doubt and confusion.

            This woman has been a huge impact on my life.

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

Mother Teresa

Face:  Our face is more then simply what we look like. It can show joy or stress. It can show our youth or our long days. It can show innocents or guilt. As a young baby it is what will draw people in to pinch, kiss or tickle us. As a teenager it can lead us to feel so low about ourselves that we don’t want to live. When old it can be the image of “Wisdom” for the young grandchildren in our lives.  It can bring peace to a person’s heart or anxiety to their soul. We must never forget this, it is our face but it is all our faces that make the world. Poverty once had a face to me, an idea. Coming to Malawi showed me the characteristics of that face. The little things, the things I have grown to like. The things I didn’t notice at a distance.

Eyes: The window to soul! The path to the heart perhaps? The point where truth meets fiction. The eyes are more powerful then we know. They allow us to see the world so we can have it become part of who we are. At the same time anyone can look into our eyes and see us. The eyes filter what we look at, what we focus on which then leads to what we focus our attention too. A pure mind and heart often can be linked directly to the eyes and what we have allowed them to enjoy. We tend to forget however the eye holds the source of deep inner hope, future and love for the world around us. In the eyes of a friend, a lover or a stranger we can find either a light to start our fire or coldness that can in a moment extinguish our flame. In Malawi while at the schools with the kids I find I cannot stop looking into the eyes of the many little characters that surround me. I feel so blessed to spend the days looking into the eyes of angels.

Smile: In a song by Semisonic they say “Nobody knows it but you’ve got a secret smile”. Wow, anytime I have got to see someone’s secret smile my heart has melted. Right now I think of my brother Nathan’s secret smile when we grip hands and know we are friends by choice!! My brother Shawn who has a grin which can get me excited to go out and live life! Or my brother Jonny’s who makes me want to never not be kind to another person again. I also think of other people’s and without a doubt just as impacting. We all have experienced this and I am sure without realizing it always we have offered it. But that is a secret smile. What about our daily smile!! In life we often have so much going on that we frown our way to tomorrow having no idea the impact we are having. When ever we get a chance to realize this we need to take a moment and force a smile. It is not about fake happiness, it is about being a joyful light. Also smiles are contagious so why not cause someone else to do this small gesture that can change lives.  The people of Malawi seem to smile the moment it is needed. The moment you come in range of seeing it!! Maybe it is cause they are not so worried about building the same colored fence as the Jonse’s. You’ve got a secret smile, make it more public.

What is the driving source behind smile, eyes and face? Why do some people seem to naturally have that magic ingredient while some of us really struggle to demonstrate any kind of glow? I would propose it comes down to “Kindness”. Kindness is not so simply action or feeling. It is a combination of both. At times kindness will be initiated by feelings which lead us to take action, while other times we must be ready and hopefully willing to take an action that demonstrates kindness even when we don’t feel like it. Kindness also comes from a heart of giving up self just a little bit. This often will be in direct relation to personal time which for most of us is very valuable but sadly not used efficiently anyways. I encourage you to seek kindness, at all cost find it out and have it part of your life. There is also a secret about kindness you must also know…………………………….. It will make you all the richer in the truly purposeful ways!!

I am days away from leaving Malawi for the second time. I hate leaving!! But I knew when coming on this mission that I could not wait to come to Malawi a third time. We humans are limited to needing to leave in order to return!

“Let Know One Ever Come To You Without Leaving Better and Happier. Be the Living Expression of God’s Kindness: Kindness In Your Face, Kindness In Your Eye’s, Kindness In Your Smile”

Mother Teresa, A Women who at Age 37 Started to Change the World.

Submitted by: Nick Felgate, Malawi SS1 2011 intern