The Guyana Girl Guides Association (GGGA) is seeking to raise awareness about reducing child mortality and improving maternal health through a series of activities during this year.
This was revealed in a message to mark World Thinking Day 2013 being celebrated today. Each year on World Thinking Day, girls worldwide honour and think of their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts; and focus on issues affecting girls and young women around the world. The two issues mentioned are among the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which most seriously affect women and girls, the statement said.
Since 2010, the GGGA has encouraged its members to participate in the global programme which focuses on the MDGs. It said the theme encourages girls and women to make a personal commitment to change the world around them.
In 2010, the focus was on MDG 1: Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty; in 2011, MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women; in 2012 MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability.
The release said the GGGA’s mission is to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. The association has implemented the Muriel Whyte Scholarship Fund since it recognises that success in the formal education system is an important contributor to the personal and professional development of girls and young women. The statement noted that the scholarship provides funds to girls and young women in primary, secondary and tertiary education to assist with payment of lesson fees, examination fees, transportation and text books.
Since being a Girl Guide means developing self and others to make a difference in the lives of others, the association advocates on issues affecting girls and women, including domestic violence and sustaining the environment, among others.
Meantime, the release also said that young leaders were given the opportunity to participate in leadership development training at the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts World Centres abroad.
With the support of international organisations, government agencies and non-governmental organisations, the GGGA has implemented a variety of service and community development projects.
Through a UNICEF/ USAID Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), managers and members were exposed to training in conflict resolution skills. With support from YEP, the GGGA organised and provided sewing and catering classes for young women in Plaisance and Canal Number One. The participants were tested and certified at the end of training and many have begun their own businesses using the skills acquired, the release said.
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has also contracted the GGGA to operationalise skill centres at Matthew’s Ridge and Port Kaituma in Region One, the release added. These centres provide youth with vocational skills such as carpentry, welding, catering and include training in basic life skills.
