Girl Guides celebrates 100 years

The Girl Guides Associationis a full and active member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts; the world’s largest voluntary organisation for young girls and women.

Guiding, as set out by its founder Lord Baden Powell, who visited the islands in 1930, is a programme premised on four signposts. These include Health, Handicraft, Character and Service, each of these objectives being tailored to provide developmental opportunities for girls and young women between the ages of six and 21 years. Today, the membership spans just over 3000 uniformed leaders and girls across 17 divisions in Trinidad and Tobago under the leadership of President Jennifer Johnson and Deputy Chief Commissioner, Jacqueline Dolly. The most active group as people like to say is called the “Brownies” who are little girls between the ages of six and nine who strive to do their best in their every undertaking according to the promise they have made. They can be recognised by their little brown dresses and sprightly behaviour.

To recognise this outstanding milestone achievement, the association began its centennial celebrations in June 2013 and will culminate in December 2014. A large public event with fun activities for the entire family with a mission to not only celebrate but to highlight the contributions made by the association and other associated military/para-military youth groups as well as other organisations who have accomplished 100 years, has been planned for June 8.

As an influential association in the nation of Trinidad and Tobago, the goals of the centenary celebrations are to reconnect with the public, to restore and enhance its historical infrastructure and to continue to develop training and leadership opportunities for the girls.

Throughout the years the organisation has managed to strengthen good relations with many non-profit organisations such as the Network of NGO’s, F.E.E.L Foundation and Government Ministries like the Ministry of Education for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

This is a call to all past guides, guiders and those who wish to join the Girl Guide’s legacy of what has been known as a “family tradition”.

For inquiries on centennial celebrations or partnering opportunities please contact the Grace Anderson Headquarters at 628-7966. Like us on Facebook @GGATT100, Follow us on Twitter @GirlGuidesTT or Visit our website at www.girlguidestt.org for more information on the association.