On February 18th, Association des Guides du Rwanda (AGR) started guiding week, prior to celebrating their founder, Baden Powell’s birthday on February 22nd.
Association des Guides du Rwanda (AGR) is member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), the largest voluntary movement for girls and young women that represents ten million girls and young women from 152 countries.
AGR’s mission is to enable girls and young women to acquire skills leading to their development and autonomy.
AGR operates in all Districts of Rwanda, where more than 23,000 young girls and women organized into guiding troops meet on a regular basis to learn using different curriculum developed by both AGR and WAGGGS.
Those curricula cover a large array of topics including SRHR, MHM, advocacy, fight against GBV, leadership, financial literacy, climate change, peace building and the fight against alcohol and drugs abuse to name just a few.
The week that occurs once every year is marked by various activities, all with the focus of making a positive difference in the world.
This year’s theme is Our World, Our Thriving Future, under this them AGR will take you on a journey of exploring crucial issues through the lens of environmental sustainability, Gender equality, peace and poverty.
This year’s week started with a visit to patients at Masaka Hospital in Kicukiro district, where they were provided with sanitary products, food, and assistance with long-standing medical bills.
Uwamwezi Marie Louise, the Chief Commissioner of AGR, stated that: “During this week, we as Girl Guides engage in various activities, including charity work, environmental conservation, and many others.”
“Specifically today, we have decided to pay a visit to patients here at Masaka Hospital, mainly teen mothers who were subject to gender based violence, where we have paid medical bills for 5 of them who couldn’t afford the bills for a long time. We also provided them with sanitary products, and food.”, she added.
The mission of Girl Guides is to enable girls and young women to reach their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
This mission is achieved through a diverse range of programs and activities focused on personal development, outdoor adventure, community service, and global citizenship.
Pascaline Furaha Irakarama, a Girl Guide said that: “this week reminds me of the promise I made when I joined the movement, a promise of leaving the world a better place. Growing up as a Girl Guide built me in so many different ways.”
She continues arguing that: “Here we are lucky to have conversations some parents still find it hard to have with their children, like conversations about reproductive health. We undergo different programs here that help one to be a better person, like fighting against gender based violence, environment conservation, helping school dropouts learn skills like sewing and others. I really encourage young girls to join the movement, it’s a good place to be.”
Tiwonge Chimaliro, a Girl Guide from Malawi who is part of YESS (Youth Exchange South to South) program, talking being a Girl Guide says: “The journey has been quite fascinating, it’s full of adventures, full of meeting new people, making new families, new sisters, it’s been very happy.”
Neunje Patricia from Uganda has been a girl Guide for over 10 years now. Talking about the visit at Masaka hospital, she said that: “It makes me feel good, it’s something that is fulfilling because as girl Guides we are supposed to do a good turn.”
“My message to young girls is that, if they are looking for something fulfilling, something that will grow them, beginning their journeys just being girl Guides. It grows you, you get to be confident, speak up on issues affecting girls and young women, you be a voice of others, and above all it’s service above self. Let them join guiding from wherever they are, it’s just fulfilling.”, she added.
At the end of this year’s guiding week, Girl Guides will join Gasabo district residents to plant trees, in their effort to environmental conservation, as well as leaving the world a better place.
Guiding week provides an opportunity for members to reflect on their experiences in Girl Guides, celebrate their achievements, and reaffirm their commitment to the guiding principles and values. It’s a time for renewal and inspiration as members continue their journey of personal growth, leadership development, and service to others.
