Saturday, February 22, 2014

Thinking Day 2014

It is not often that the 22nd of February falls on a Saturday.   This is the day, both Lord and Lady Baden Powell’s birthdays, that Guides and Scouts think of other Guides and Scouts all over the world.

Our region, Gauteng Central organised a fun celebration at Trefoil Park to celebrate the occasion.   Two Waverley Guides and five from Rays of Hope attended (Thanks to Trevor Jacubus, father of Nina, one of the Waverley Guides, who helped transport the Rays of Hope girls to and from Alexandra).   It was a family event and parents, brothers and sisters were all included.   Teams of not more than eight were formed and given a map to various stations scattered around Delta Park.   Each station represented one country where there are Girl Guides or Girl Scouts.   There was the promise from each, the flag and information about the country or activity.

Besides the 7 girls we had Gummi Bear, my assistant Guider, her husband, Graham, Nina’s father, my son, Chris (Grizzly Bear) and Kathleen (Kitty Bear)   We split into two teams with three adults in each.

Our first stop was Japan, where we got to catch plastic fish in the shallows of Braamfontein Spruit.

DSC05965

Next we went to Australia where we found out why they wear corks on their hats and got to transfer corks from a basin of water using tongs.   The group of Brownies and a mother and little brother who were ahead of us scored better than we did.

DSC05967

Off to Italy and boat races (jet propelled!)

DSC05973 DSC05974

At Mexico we learned about PiƱatas and as a team got to break one in two blows, scattering sweets for all.

 

DSC05981

At China we got to watch the team before us measuring the “Great Wall”  before it was our turn.

Canada looked like the most fun – getting the whole team plus a tea set across the chasm using stepping stones but it was so popular that there was quite a queue so, because our time was running out, we skipped it and went to India where the girls got to get their hands painted.

DSC05984

Back in Trefoil Park we got to go skiing in Switzerland and make up a song to the tune of Shosholoza in Zimbabwe.

DSC05989

Our last stop was England where we got to do a traditional Guide activity, make dampers over an open fire.   A mixture of self raising flour is rolled into a sausage and wrapped around a green stick and cooked over the coals until it sounds hollow when knocked and comes off the stick when pulled.  Jam was put into the hole and it’s ready to eat.

DSC05992

At each station, once the activity was successfully completed, a puzzle piece was given to the team leader.   At England we got to glue the pieces together and despite the lack of the Canada piece, we got to make the South African flag.

DSC05996

The morning ended with a small ceremony, where thinking day coins were collected in a wishing well and a map was displayed showing all the countries where Guiding takes place.

Well done to the Hillcrest district who organised such a well planned and fun day.   The support was great, over 20 teams took part with plenty of family involvement. 

Love and Friendship

 

The Rays of Hope Guides took very seriously the encouragement to bring a friend.  Another 7 girls have arrived within the last two weeks.   The programmes are running in tandem.   Last week was making valentines day cards …DSC05915

DSC05912

On Thursday both companies enjoyed “Bring a friend Day”   where we did nothing but play (messy) games.   Unfortunately it was half term for the private schools.   Nevertheless we had a number of friends join us.

DSC05924

DSC05930 DSC05927

DSC05931

DSC05942

DSC05945

DSC05948

 DSC05958 DSC05959

DSC05961 

Here’s hoping the friends join and don’t get scared away!

Friday, February 7, 2014

2014 and lots of changes

As last year wore on, we had more and more problems with transport and space shrinking as Rays of Hope improved the children’s home.   The house where we were meeting got refurbished, a teacher was hired to help the children with their homework and volunteers from Canada were housed on the premises.   This was all great for the children but not so great for a Guide Company. Since we had visited the Scouts who meet at the Alex Old Age Home, I have been .keeping it in mind as an alternate venue.

So this year we moved to the Old Age Home in Alexandra .   They have made a hall available to us which is usually set up with chairs but we can just move them forward and make enough space for a meeting.   Tsegofatso and Lebohang’s family moved so we started with 5 Guides and since then another two have joined.

I am very proud of the girls.   All but one of them have returned their child care letters – signed by the mother of the children they looked after.

The other change is that I offered to take over 1st Waverley Guides when I heard their Guider was leaving.   They are younger girls and on the complete opposite of the spectrum.   I am running the two companies in tandem, making adjustments for their differences and going to the Waverley Guide Hall straight after we have finished in Alexandra.   It is a bit hectic but fun.   Both companies are working on the Accident Prevention badge and we will have a Friendship day for each close to Thinking day.

DSC05898

1st Waverley Guides