The Essential Guide Magazine Culcheth July - August 2014 | Page 14

Essential Feature

Girl Guides in Gambia
From Sunday the 13th to Sunday the 30th
of April, I spent 7 of the most amazing
and memorable days of my life, with 28
other GirlGuides, in The

Gambia.
Whilst in the Gambia we had a handson experience of the local culture, with
guided tours to the local fishing village, the
nature reserve, the markets, a performance
from a local band, drumming and dance
sessions and a visit to the
women’s garden. I wasn’t
expecting how warmly we
were welcomed; we were
made to feel like guests of
honour as they proudly
showed us their village and
their way of life.

UN rights of a child, Water Sanitation
and Hygiene and Backwards Cooking,
but we also played plenty of games and
made friends. Those two days had their
challenges but they were the most
enjoyable and invaluable days of the
trip. It made me realise how grateful
I ought to be for all the things I
have, mostly it made me value my
membership to Girlguiding, and
the amazing organisation it is, when
I saw how important it was to the
girls in the Gambia. At the end of
the second day with the Scouts and
Guides we were invited back to join
in their Campfire.
Campfire ‘Gambian style’ was
incredibly joyful and entertaining,
and like nothing we’d seen before. My
trip to the Gambia was truly invaluable
and one I’ll always treasure.
by Rose Byrne

By far the most rewarding
experience was the two
days we spent with the local
Scouts and Guides. We ran
sessions on Advocacy, The
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Nine issue