I will never forget my first volunteer trip to Malawi. I'd been to Botswana and Zimbabwe before, but only to go on safari and I felt disconnected from the people who lived there. In January 2010, I was one of only three World Camp volunteers, so I got to teach on my own and run two of the four teacher workshops.
At first, I was disappointed to only be spending half my time with students. But once I realized it was the teachers who would spend years with their students after our short camps, my outlook immediately changed and I couldn't get enough time with the adults.
I have been part of the coordinating team for every volunteer session since then. I always tried to stress the importance of working with teachers and community leaders - educating teachers means not only that class will hear the information, but subsequent years as well. And that certainly isn't to say students should be forgotten.
More recently, I spent about a year in Malawi implementing year round programming in World Camp's schools. And while I got to spend plenty of time with teachers, parents, and community leaders, our afterschool programming focused on student leadership.
It was incredible to see students of all ages take advantage of this new platform to engage their community and voice their thoughts on community development. Our students raised money, planted vegetable gardens, put on dramas to educate their communities on health issues, started their own clean school initiative, and volunteered to assist the elderly and sick with household chores.
It's that dedication, on the part of both students and their teachers, that keeps me passionate about World Camp's work. I'm thrilled to be on the board and remain engaged with World Camp's ever changing programs. Our afterschool programming allows students to set their own agendas and develop their leadership skills during quarterly trainings. Our educational camps still stress the importance of individual and community health as well as informed decision-making. MediServe will support Malawi's stretched medical staff and provide lifesaving care. Camp Hope gives kids living positively with HIV the chance to be kids.
As we continue to grow and adapt to Malawi's constantly changing social landscape, please send any thoughts or ideas our way. We're making some big changes, and your experiences can only make World Camp's future better.
Karen Clark
Education: BA in Anthropology
Age: 24
Current location: New Orleans, LA
Current position: Pursuing a career in public health in New Orleans
Originally from: Sunnyvale, CA
Joined the WC Board: Fall 2013
WC Experience: Malawi Program Coordinator Summer 2010 - 2013
First Volunteered: January 2010
Most Excited About: increasing Malawian ownership of our work in schools and communities
Favorite Malawian dish: grasshoppers. just kidding, I'm vegetarian. Nsima and pumpkin leaves.
Favorite WC moment: watching a brilliant team of Field Staff lead a full day's workshop that developed leadership skills among World Camp Club student leadership. And skydiving in Lilongwe.
