Even though it's been two years now, it seems a very short time since I was talking to some friends about my Girl Scout Troop. As we talked they also shared a story about girls, a group of girls on the other side of the world. These girls live in an orphanage in the African country of Mozambique. They felt that the girls there would benefit as much, if not more from scouting as our girls here do. So the seeds of an idea came to me. With the centenial of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts upon us, the idea of sharing our experience here with girls in another country was very exciting and the idea slowly became a reality. With the help of many troops in Orange County and the wonderful staff of Caring For Orphans MOZ, Girl Scout Troop 499 in Orange, CA got a sister Girl Guide Troop 499 in Mozambique at the Missao Para Juventude (Mission to the Youth) Orphanage.
We got uniforms designed just for them, with brand new flag patches and logos. We wrote their own personal Promise and Law to say at meetings, and we started sending ideas to them for activities. All along I have been wondering how to follow up and make sure this fledgling troop would continue to flourish and grow. So what is next? Well I thought, I'll just have to go there and work with the troop myself! So this summer my daughter and myself will be spending 2 weeks at the orphange with 26 wonderful girls who I know will change our lives forever, while we try to make a difference for them.
What will we do there? (And no- we won't be selling Girl Scout cookies, even if we do have to take a few along to snack on!) We plan to do many traditional Girl Guide/Scout activities. We will teach knot tying and potlatches. They will interpret their Girl Guide Promise and Law in a way that they can be empowered to be better and stronger girls. They will be earning badges and patches for their uniforms. They will do art, friendship bracelets, and learn about Guides and Scouts in other countries. They will hopefully learn where they fit in the world and how they can make a difference. Of course we will learn fun songs and games. I hope they can even understand that they are a part of a worldwide organization that is 10 million strong, in 145 (now 146) countries! Troops here in Orange are doing things for us to share with them. One troop is making them photo penpals with the use of Flat Girl Scouts (like the Flat Stanley story) and will write to them. Another troop is sending them videos and photos of their journeys in Girl Scouting. We plan on teaching them juggling, ceremonies and why community service is important. We want them to have fun while they do skits and make their own troop flags And my daughter can't wait to polish their nails! We will talk about important issues for all girls like self-esteem, violence, AIDs, bullying and helping our world be a better place. But most of all we want to bring to them the joy of Girl Scouts we have in our hearts and just have a good time.
When I get back I will post a story with all the exciting details. Please check back this summer.
If you want to know more about the orphanage please go to Caringfororphans.com and read all about the things that have been happening there and ways you too could help.
If you are interested in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts please go to WAGGGSworld.org and read about the wonderful things going on in the scouting world.
Something else I found in my research is the website for the United Nations Millennuim goals and how Guides and Scouts worldwide are helping. You can read about those goals at UN.org/millenniumgoals
Thanks for reading my article and if you have any questions, or ideas for me- please feel free to email me at gotcookies499@aol.com
Continue reading on Examiner.com Girls Scouts Rock- all the way to Mozambique - Los Angeles Orange County Girl Scout | Examiner.com
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