Lesotho Girl Guide Association (LGGA) members toured Scotland as part of an ongoing cultural exchange between Girlguiding Scotland and LGGA.
The exchange is part of a five-year partnership launched in 2017 which aims to develop and deliver programmes and training resources, and to provide international community action opportunities for young members from both organisations.
The group of 15 Guides and three leaders travelled across Scotland between 12th – 21st July taking part in a range of activities, and were hosted by Girlguiding East Lothian, Girlguiding Glasgow, Girlguiding Ayrshire North and Girlguiding Edinburgh.
The activities included sightseeing in Edinburgh, a workshop with the Scottish Youth Parliament, outdoor activities, camping, ceilidh dancing, environmental and conservation work as well as a trip to Glasgow, including a visit to Glasgow City Chambers, museums and the Girlguiding Glasgow shop.
Rosy Burgess, Girlguiding Scotland’s International Community Action Adviser, said:
“It was a real pleasure to welcome LGGA members to Scotland and return the hospitality they have shown our members over the last 3 years. Our partnership is a brilliant way to showcase the strength and importance of international guiding, and to share and learn from our global guiding sisters. We did so much in the time they were here, and even the Scottish summer didn’t get in our way!”
Following LGGA visit, Girl Guides from across Scotland will fly out to Lesotho on 1 August for two weeks to experience life in Lesotho and take part in cultural activities and deliver training programmes.
On previous exchanges members of Girlguiding Scotland have worked alongside members of LGGA to create workshops to girls and young women on body image, period poverty, sustainable development goals, and leadership skills. They have also visited Lesotho’s national Guide camp and Guide units in schools across the country, and supported membership growth and retention in both countries.
Rachel, age 16 said: “I am extremely excited to travel to Lesotho, it’s an incredible opportunity and I can’t wait to meet new people, explore a new country and find out about Lesotho’s culture.”
Pamela Gray, leader for the trip, said:
“The trip to Lesotho is such a wonderful opportunity for the young women of Girlguiding Scotland and I am delighted to be involved in the arrangements of such a trip. The prospect of travelling to Lesotho to meet girl guiding members is a notion that many would not think possible, but the effort undertaken by 10 young women in their fundraising and planning of the trip has been a joy to watch.
The girls have gained new skills and learnt about new cultures in preparation of this once-in-a-lifetime trip and they have Girlguiding Scotland to thank for this amazing opportunity. I love the fact that we, the leaders, can facilitate these opportunities as the girls can only gain positives from such an event; travelling and meeting others is such an amazing privilege to experience.”
International travel is just one of many opportunities Girlguiding Scotland offers girls and young women ages 5 to 25 through an action-packed programme that includes everything from adventurous activity to social action.
To find out more about registering your daughter to join the fun and adventure of Girlguiding Scotland or to volunteer call 0131 226 4511 or visit www.girlguidingscotland.org.
