Summer 2008 at Our Cabaña, a new experience for Guides of Burundi

Fiona Gateka, member of Burundi Girl Guides Association writes: ’Summer 2008 in Nuestra Cabaña’, a new experience for Burundi Guides. Situated in Mexico, Central America, in the town of Cuernavaca, Nuestra Cabaña, one of WAGGGS World Centres, hosts every year international friendship sessions for Guides and Girl Scouts from all over the world. Like the other World Centres, Nuestra Cabaña offers a unique experience largely influenced by the local culture but also by its international staff.

I have lived such an amazing experience this summer that I cannot resist sharing it with you. It all started in November 2007 in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, in a cyber café where I was visiting WAGGGS internet site. I saw that there were opportunities for volunteering in the World Centres and, as I was waiting for the start of term at the National University of Burundi, in October 2008, I felt I had time to apply for a volunteer post in one of the World Centres. Curiosity and a desire to discover the ‘Latin’ planet pushed me to choose Nuestra Cabaña. I learnt in March 2008 that I had been selected to start work in the summer of that same year.

I was the first African Guide to be taken on as a volunteer at Nuestra Cabaña. It was then one big adventure. Having sat on many planning committees for various national and regional events in my country, the integration into the international volunteer team was painless, and we worked in harmony under the supervision of the programme director and her two assistants.

Volunteer work at Nuestra Cabaña consists mainly in: Developing and implementing programmes for the participants in international friendship sessions, looking after the locals and important places at the World Centre. Accompany participants on the various sightseeing visits organized during international events and carrying out tours of the World Centres for participants and independent visitors.

The international friendship sessions help to develop the participants’ potential as they explore WAGGGS, its Member Organizations and its projects; Experience the culture of Mexico, its traditions, history and people, as well as taking part in the activities and workshops on the events’ themes. 

Apart from work, life in a World Centre is very enriching and conducive to developing true friendship between volunteers but also amongst participants. This summer we also had the great privilege of meeting Mary Mc Phail, WAGGGS Chief Executive. She was attending the HIV/Aids conference held in Mexico City at the beginning of August and to our delight, she took this opportunity to spend a few days at Nuestra Cabaña.

Finally, looking at the fantastic learning experience I had at Nuestra Cabaña I would like to call on my sister Guides from Africa and other developing countries to find out more about WAGGGS and its opportunities, either from their Associations or on the website.”