Air, water, earth and fire

This term both companies are working on the Eco- Green adventure.   We have learned about the big 5 and little five, endangered species, alien invaders and we have to do an activity from the 4 elements, Air, Water, Earth and Fire.

For Air we made paper frogs and held a frog Olympics, fanning  frogs with newspaper.   Then we had air ball races.   Most fun was the balloon popping game.   Each Guide had one or more balloons attached to her ankles and the goal was to pop everybody else’s balloon but keep your own intact.

 

 

 

 

Last week the Rays of Hope girls played balloons again as our environmental expert couldn’t make the earlier time.

Next week we will be working with clay (Earth) and the week after we will make candles (Fire)

Regional Hike.

Since I was diagnosed with a deteriorated disk in my lower lumbar region, I haven't been hiking.   I am doing much better than I was last year which I regard as an answer to specific prayer, however I know my back is delicate and every now and then I get twinges.   I was therefore delighted when Jelly Bear, one of my assistants, showed an interest in attending the Regional Hike.   Three girls from Waverley decided to attend with their families.  

I didn't think the Rays of Hope girls would be able to go because it was held near Parys, more than an hour and a half away.   I tentatively mentioned it to the Rays of Hope transport contact and to my delight they agreed to provide transport.   It was very last minute, however, but the girls were very keen.

 I stressed most of Sunday, trying to find out if the girls arrived at the meeting point at 7am, whether they were on the way, and, when they hadn't arrived at the venue at the time of the hike, I had to tell myself that there was actually nothing I could do.    I did also tell myself that that was the last time I was sending the girls to something without me. It is too stressfull.

Anyway, it seems like everybody had fun.   The Rays of Hope girls didn't get to go on the hike because they arrived so late but I did get an answer from Samantha when I asked if she had fun.
   "Lots of fun", read the message.
The photos are from Jelly Bear.

Good turns, fun and fellowship

The end of the 2nd term was quite busy.   Both Companies did a Company good turn.   The Rays of Hope Guides gave a concert to the residents of the Old Age Home.


The Waverley Guides made chocolates to take to the residents of Nazareth House.   Unfortunately it was the evening we had a power failure and we had to finish by candle-light.
 





On the Saturday, several of the Guides went to visit Nazareth House to hand out the chocolates, play with the children and visit.

I don't know who had more fun, the Guides or the children

At the end of the term the Waverley Guides hosted their parents to dinner and entertainment.   The girls earned cooks, bakers, hostess, entertainers, flower arranger and singers badges.
I didn’t take any photos of the dinner but this is some of the entertainment.

Finally, to celebrate the start of the government school holidays, we had a Day Camp with both companies.

2nd Term

To finish our 3 edible novelties for a children’s party, we made racing cars out of finger biscuits and marshmallow baskets.

The Rays of Hope Guides are beginning to integrate into the Old age Home community.   They have each adopted a Granny and later in the term we will do a concert for them.
We spent a meeting highlighting the Guide Law.   This involved translating words to Zulu or Sotho, working through pictures in the handbook and short skits illustrating how Guide Laws are broken or kept.   They ranged from being kind (or not) at school to Rhino poaching.

Last Thursday we did part of the Keep Fit badge.   The Alex girls organised their own set of movements which turned out to be cheerleading type routines while Jelly Bear led us in a more professional routine at Waverley.   She has subsequently agreed to do the same with the Rays of Hope girls.

Change is in the air.   The new programme is due to start in June and the new uniform is already being stocked.
The changeover will be challenging but we will do our best to be innovative and take things one week at a time.

Folk dancer badge

 

Things are looking up a little.   Rays of Hope said they’d pay our membership if we would just provide them with an invoice and banking details.    This is an answer to prayer and reinforces that I am doing what the Lord wants me to.

This term we have been working on the Folk dancer badge.   It is very easy.   The girls have to take part in 4 traditional folk or ethnic dances.   They must be able to dance in any position in the set and the words and tune must be an integral part of the performance.

To make it more interesting I asked whether they would like to make some costumes.   they wouldn’t be the real thing, of course but it would enable them to learn to use a sewing machine which is part of the Explorer’s challenge.

Well, I was too ambitious.  It is true that they all now have little mini skirts but only three of them can actually use a machine.   I got donated two sewing machines from school.   One is hand operated and after the Guides used them it doesn’t work anymore.   I ended up sewing the last bits myself.  

I was not that happy with the fringed overskirt so we tried again last Friday using plastic bags and straws.   The practice went reasonably.

Patrol dinners

When I asked the girls at the beginning of the term whether they could cook, they all put up their hands enthusiastically.   When I asked whether any of them would like to do their cook’s badge, one from each patrol, Jeanette and Maria volunteered.   We decided to have patrol dinners at the end of the year, the Flamingos would go to Jeanette’s house and the Blue Cranes would go to the orphanage where Maria would use the kitchen.

I wasn’t sure whether it would work.   There was transport to organise, food to be bought and got to the cooks, a tester to find.   Thanks to the Rays of Hope staff, the ingredients and transport were organised.   When I found out that a friend of my son used to be a Scout, I asked her to come along and test the girls.   Trying to find our way in Alex was a bit hairy – there don’t seem to be any numbers and we had to ask passers-by to help us.   I am sure the Lord was helping us because we came to the right yard just as two young boys were going in and they knew where Jeanette lives.

I was proud of the girls.   Jeanette made us a baked beans dish with vegetables and jelly and custard.   Kathleen and I had to leave before cofee because it was getting late and we still had to get to the Blue Cranes.   When we got to Ikhya Lomusa, my heart sank because there were two Guides sitting on the couch, Maria was nowhere in sight and there was no sign of food or eating.   However once Maria was called it turned out she had finished cooking but they were waiting for us to arrive.   We had yummy chicken with rice and a sauce and a green salad.   Well done to the cooks and weel done to the rest of the patrols who found their way to the right places and came in uniform.

Visit to the Old Age Home

Yesterday the Rays of Hope Guides visited the Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home in Alexandra. It was probably the best meeting we have had this term. I have been feeling very despondent about the Guides recently. When we voted for patrol leaders there were more votes than girls. When I tried to incentivise them by handing out mini chocolates, the store of chocolates mysteriously halved. Obviously I was failing if the girls couldn't even keep the first Guide Law, "A Guide is to be trusted." It was no use rationalising that for orphaned and abandoned girls, lying and stealing are survival skills. My enthusiasm waned but the Lord had called me to run a Guide Company and I wasn't about to give up after a term and a half. All the girls turned up for what they had decided was to be our unit good turn for the term. We had been practicing singing for two and a half weeks. All the girls wore their denims. Minenthle borrowed a white shirt from the orphanage. Those with school shoes polished them. Only two forgot their sashes and scarves. You might think that is disgraceful but for these Guides that is impressive. The driver transported us to the Old Age home through very congested Alex traffic. Mandisa and a friend, Jannet, followed by car. I didn't know what to expect or how the programme would go. I didn't know if there was any kind of hall or place where we could sing to a group. We were shown into the dining room area where many of the frailer residents were congregated watching TV. The matron came to greet us and welcome us.

The girls were a little shy at first but we began with a mime of people having a picnic and leaving all the rubbish lying around. Then a group of Girl Guides came along singing "if you see a piece of paper pick it up, pick it up." Our lead singers, Laiza and Minenthle sang beautifully and confidently and led "Siahamba" and "Shosholoza" Just as we finished our last song, supper arrived. The girls made themselves useful handing out plates of food, collecting dirty dishes and doing the kind of things I would expect Girl Guides to do. They enjoyed themself and were really helpful. Maria got to push a lady in a wheel chair back to her room after supper. I feel really proud of the Guides and I see a glimmer of hope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcDXH-_DuUA