Dear Editor,

Your editorial ‘Youth clubs’ of Thursday Oct. 4 2007, was timely and welcome. As you stated “the conventional wisdom is that at the very least we have a large youth population which is functionally illiterate and therefore effectively unemployable, and that an unknown but possibly significant portion of that population will be lured into the crime and drug sub-culture”.

Chilling, but so true. As you also stated, youth clubs that offer structured activities can help, but there are not enough of them and not enough youth workers. This is also true.

However there is a youth organization – not a club – that has excellent time proven activities for girls and young women. The Guyana Girl Guides Association, a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, has been serving the young women and girls of our country since 1927. It ideally fulfils the Mick Jelly quote “…you need to add structure to their lives…you have to get them doing something, which they have to commit to and attend regularly. Through that you build a friendship with them, then you teach them about discipline and respect – for themselves and others”.

Being a Girl Guide helps girls and young women to fulfil their potential, filling their lives with camaraderie and fun and preparing them to take their places as useful citizens of their country and the world.

Young women, and parents or guardians of girls who would like to be a Ranger, Girl Guide, a Brownie or a leader are encouraged to contact the Secretary, Guyana Girl Guide Association, 106 Brickdam {opposite the Ministry of Health}. Tel: no. 227-6516, e.mail girlguides@telsnetgy.net

A warm friendly welcome awaits you.

Yours faithfully,

Joan Collins,

President, Guyana Girl Guides Association