Girl Guides: A transforming force in the lives of girls

Thu, Dec 22. 2011

by: The Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Réchanne Browne-Matthias

In 1914, Rev. Arthur Cox, a Methodist minister, started the first guide company in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in Georgetown, and the movement has continued to strengthen over the last 97 years. It is, therefore, perhaps no wonder that Guiding here has had such stability and has truly been a transforming force in the lives of girls and young women throughout our blessed land.{{more}} This voluntary, not for profit organization is open to girls and women, without discrimination as to religion, race, nationality or any other circumstance, and aims to give girls the opportunity for self-training in the development of character and service to others, to promote young women as decision makers, to foster a love of country and to promote a full sense of citizenship. The Girl Guide Association further seeks to develop in our girls and young women an interest in social and community service and to encourage international good will. Consequently, our history is positively fashioned year after year as we impact the lives of hundreds of thousands worldwide.

We pledge to do our best, to do our duty to God, to serve the Queen and our country, to help other people and to keep the guide law.

In this Season, when our focus is on the birth of the Christ child, sharing and family, let us stand out as shining lights as the stories are told of our courageous acts, bravery under suffering, and the multitude of good turns we perform. Volunteers, fellow sisters in guiding, let us through our actions continue to be able to say without pomposity that we are proud of our accomplishments. Let us all as citizens do our best to ensure that we behave as responsible citizens of our land and strive to meaningfully contribute to the development of our country. On behalf of the Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I wish the citizens of our Nation and people everywhere a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.