This post is part of a series for World Thinking Day 2016.
Salama!* We have another super fun “pen pal” letter for you today, this time between Melissa, a Retention Specialist and Expert Troop Leader and Vonintsoa, a Girl Guide and UN Youth Delegate from Madagascar. Read on to hear what the everyday looks like for troops in Madagascar, and maybe get some inspiration for your next meeting!
*‘Salama’ is how you say ‘hello’ in Malagasy, the official local language of Madagascar. The other official language is French, so ‘Salut’ to you, too!
From the Midwest to Madagascar…
Hello Vonintsoa,
How are you doing? I can’t wait to hear what your Girl Guide meetings look like. At Girl Scouts River Valleys, we love to learn and explore at our meetings! We discover new things about the world, experience new activities, and learn about ourselves and each other.
We do different activities at each meeting. Sometimes we’ll conduct science experiments, sometimes we’ll make a craft, and sometimes we’ll try a new skill, such as first aid or cooking. At almost every meeting, we play a game and sing songs! When we learn a new skill or try a new activity, we earn badges to put on our uniforms, to show off all our hard work.
Sometimes we go on field trips to places around our community. We attend theater performances, sell Girl Scout cookies, meet rescue animals, and even visit people to learn about their jobs.
Our troops also love giving back to our communities. We volunteer, raise money for local charities, and some of us even develop our own service projects.
We love learning and exploring the world at our meetings. What do you do at yours?
Melissa, GSRV Retention Specialist & Troop Leader – St. Paul, MN, USA
Hi Melissa,
I would like to tell you what we do doing during our meetings, but first and foremost, I thank you for contacting me.
Our meetings take place on Saturday afternoons. We do different activities concerning violence against women and Free Being Me. We did activities related to the protection of the environment and have done reforestation projects that takes place each year.
Next month, there will be a training camp and we’ll participate. We also love to sew, for example make our uniforms. At the same time, we enjoy playing games, hiking outdoors, and doing volunteer activities.
Thank you,
Vonintsoa, Girl Guide – Antananarivo, Madagascar
BONUS:
Are your girls interested in exploring ideas of global beauty? Are they looking to make a ‘connection’ with girls around the world? Your troop can participate in the same kinds of activities Vonintsoa does! The “Free Being Me” program she mentions was created through a partnership with Dove, and can be completed in conjunction with the It’s Your Story, Tell It! Journeys. Together, girls explore issues of beauty and body confidence and build their leadership skills. Girls around the world are participating in the Free Being Me activities, and you can become a part of the movement too! The special Journey-infused activity pack will be available for download until March 31, 2016!
