Mauritius

Promise:

Girl Guide Promise

On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best:
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people at all times, and
To keep the Guide Law.

Bluebird Promise

I promise I will do my best:
To do my duty to God,
To serve my country and help other people, and
To keep the Bluebird Law.

Law:

Girl Guide Law

1 A Guide’s honour is to be trusted.

2 A Guide is loyal.

3 A Guide is helpful.

4 A Guide is a friend to all and a sister to other Guides.

5 A Guide is courteous.

6 A Guide is a friend to animals and respects all living things.

7 A Guide is obedient.

8 A Guide smiles and sings under all difficulties.

9 A Guide is thrifty.

10 A Guide is pure in thought, word and deed.

Bluebird Law

A Bluebird thinks of others before herself and does a good turn every day

 

Age groups:

Ranger 15-20

Girl Guide 11-15

Bluebird 7-11

Development of the movement:

Guiding began in Vacoas, Mauritius, in 1926 with the formation of a company for English-speaking girls. French-speaking girls later joined the company, and Guiding soon spread to other areas of the country, although membership was confined to girls of European descent.

In 1939 the Anglican community opened Companies which admitted girls of all nationalities, and soon afterwards similar companies were opened by the Roman Catholic community.

In 1943 the first Island Council was formed and in 1946 the Mauritius Girl Guides Association’s constitution was approved and it became a Branch Association of the Guide Association (UK). Guiding in Mauritius continued to spread and, with the assistance of trainers from the United Kingdom, was established in five of the seven districts on the island. In 1980 a bill was passed by the Mauritius Legislative Assembly granting the Association legal status.

Guiding today has reached rural areas and schools and is open to all races and religions of the island. In 1990 Guiding was extended to Rodrigues Island

Programme:

The Mauritius Girl Guides Association’s programme is based on the values of Guiding, and different learning skills are applied. It includes community development projects. The educational programme is presently being reviewed in line with the educational programme, policy and guidelines set by WAGGGS.

Mission Statement

The MGGA Mission is to provide to girls and young women of all cultures and religions the opportunity to fully develop their potential through non-formal education, as responsible and reliable citizens of the world.

Relationship to society:

Working with the community is one of the most important areas for the Association. Community Development Projects are encouraged at all levels of the Association.

The Peace Love and Friendship Pack Project has enabled over two thousand pupils of Standard I of Low Performance Schools to receive some basic school material as a sign of friendship and encouragement from the Girl Guides. School materials were collected from pupils of primary and secondary schools. The project was under the patronage of the President of the republic of Mauritius and also the Patron of the Association.

On the initiative of the Ranger Unit, fifty destitute children enjoyed a four-day camp full of excitement, fun and friends. The Rangers cared for the children and they themselves provided for the basic needs of the children: food and clothes. This was a rewarding and enlightening experience for the children and the Rangers.

Communication and Co-operation

The Guides raise their public profile by participating in parades and celebrations for National Day and Remembrance Sunday

The Association co-operates with the Government and Non-Governmental agencies and participates in projects and programmes at National level such at the WAGGGS’ Initiative on the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy, HIV/AIDS awareness and the Environment. The Association has also developed a working relationship with the Mauritius Scouts Association and is affiliated to the Mauritius Council of Social Services and the Mauritius Alliance of Women. The Association is also involved with the ‘Say Yes for Children’, UNICEF’s global movement for children and also the International Year of Volunteers. Another project, being developed and financed by UNDP as part of the Global Environment Fund, to propagate indigenous and endemic plants is also just about to be started.

The Association’s newsletter is published in both French and English.

Training:

Training is organised at both local and national level by members of the Training Team under the leadership of a Training Commissioner.  Training programmes are included in the yearly calendar of activities for all sections of the Association.  The Training Team is presently working on a Badge Book and is updating the 2^nd and 1^st class programme for the Guides.

Outdoor and Environmental Activities

During school holidays the Association organizes camps, usually held by the sea. Members enjoy other outdoor activities, including mountaineering and hiking.

Events

• Christmas Good Turn at company level
• Outing
• Mass
• Remembrance Sunday
• Talent Show
• Centenary Camp
• Pre-Camp Training
• Workshop
• Blue-Birds Revels
• Centenary celebration

Projects

• Mauritius Holds Training For Trainers
• Work With Street Children
• Work With Physically Discabled Children
• Work With Adolescents In Rehabilition Youth Centres