Carmona: Help girl guides!

She paid tribute to guiders who often not only give freely of their time to help develop their young charges, but also often pay for items such as transportation, food and even uniforms for these youngsters. “Volunteerism is selflessness in action but it is costly to the volunteer with a genuine heart,” Carmona remarked.

“I have heard so many anecdotes of those in the Girl Guide Movement walking that extra financial mile without complaint, without seeking redress, compensation or reimbursement.” However noting that we live in a very materialistic world, she lamented a recent decline in volunteers in the movement, even as the aging of the current crop of guiders means fresh blood is urgently needed.

Carmona mulled the idea of a stipend being paid, but also lamented that the $80,000 annual grant to the whole movement nationwide is unrealistic to pay bills, supplies, equipment, rents, hospitality and a paid secretary.

“As Girl Guides, it means raising funds through various projects like raffles, cake sales, bingos, harvests and walkathons, and if we are fit enough even have half marathons.

“ She urged guiders to keep the faith.

On the vital role of a volunteer, Carmona quoted Dr Grace Aguiling- Dalisay, keynote speaker at a 2011 forum for NGO’s held by the United Nations.

“‘Inevitably, sustainability is propelled by people who willingly serve outside the call of duty, share needed time and skills professionally __ minus the professional fee, and contribute to the betterment of people, other than those they are obligated to support.

This is who volunteers are’.” She urged corporate TT to support the local Girl Guides Movement.

Saying girls fight quiet battles to try to fit into a framework set by society, she saw a key role for the Girl Guide Movement.

“We live in a society where fundamental beliefs and values are becoming grey areas, where perception is interpreted as the truth, and diminishing are the days of critical thinking, based on informed, credible facts. The Girl Guide Movement is another anchor that can steady the Ship of State.” Carmona hoped the movement could work with governmental education officials to include volunteerism in the school curriculum.