Kudumail 25 en by World Organization of the Scout Movement

October 2013

Kudumail

News from the Africa Scout Region

www.scout.org/africa

Africa Scout Region joins in on JOTA-JOTI 2013

Inside Highlight

Africa Scout Region joins in on JOTA-JOTI 2013

Page 1 From NSOs Scout from Gugulethu surprises the King of Sweden in Paris

Page 2 From ARO 6th International Youth Gathering Global Torch Race Scouts drill boreholes for the community

!WSB-ARO/FILE

‘LEAD SA’ rewards Scout for giving back to community

The 56th Jamboree On The Air and 17th Jamboree On The Internet took place on 19th and 20th October 2013. Scouts from the Africa Region were not left out in this fun-filled event, which is held every year in the 3rd weekend of October. With the theme, ‘Let’s Share’, this year’s event was special since it was days after the launch of the new online platform for World Scouting, which contributed to further engagement and exchange between Scouts worldwide. In Burundi, more than 30 Scouts between the ages of 14 and 28, from different Scout groups in the Imbo Region in Bujumbura came together at the National Centre to participate in the event. They interacted with other Scouts from Sweden, Mexico, France, Canada, Morocco, Algeria, Australia, Madagascar, Portugal, Senegal, England, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, French Polynesia, Swaziland, Peru, Switzerland and the team of the World Scout Bureau, located in Geneva, Switzerland as well. In Mauritius, a group of more than 300 Scouts and Adults participated in this year’s event. Prior to the event, workshops were offered to young people in order to enable them to share their ideas, experiences and Scout programs to Scouts around the world, across the airwaves and the Internet. For the event to be successful,

Page 3 Community Scouts donate blood for the Westgate Development Mall terror attack victims Mauritius Scout Association received support from several partners including the city of Vacoas Phoenix, the National Computer Board, the Mauritius Telecom, Information and Communication Technologies Authority and the Mauritius Amateur Radio Society. A group of more than 500 Scouts from Nigeria from the Kano State Scout Council and the Benue State Scout Council participated in the event with various activities including communicating with Scouts the world over and team building activities for those who didn’t have an Internet connection. Scout Organizations from Madagascar, Tanzania, Mauritius, Senegal, South Africa and many more also actively participated in the event with various Scout groups setting up stations for their Scouts. Indeed Scouts from all over Africa used the event as a valuable opportunity for sharing!

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Events 1st World Scout Education Congress calendar 8th East Africa Zonal Conference & Youth Forum 2013/14 Africa Scout Day 2014 16th Africa Scout Conference and 7th Youth Forum

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FOCUS ON NSOs Scout from Gugulethu surprises the King of Sweden in Paris SOUTH AFRICA - Buntu Tsotsobe, Assistant Troop Scouter for 1st Liwa Scout Troop in Guguletu, was flown to Paris on a trip where he surprised King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden on his 60th Birthday. In 2007 Buntu met King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during a visit to Cape Town as part of the BP Fellowship Fundraising Events. King Gustaf often refers to a young Scout he met during his trip to South Africa who has made a lifelong impression on him.

We face violence, hunger and poverty. If I wear my Scouting uniform in Guguletu people respect me. I feel safer because people know Scouting, they know that we are learning good values and are of service to others, like for example when we go and volunteer at old age homes. Often when I walk in my uniform people shout “It’s good that you are a Scout, you will become very successful and a good leader one day!” Other older people shout “I was also a Scout, enjoy the adventure and do good deeds!” It makes me feel proud. Bad people leave us alone when we wear our uniform because they know we are good, I feel safe in it and I like wearing my uniform.”

The World Scout Foundation flew Buntu up to the birthday celebrations in Paris so Buntu was able to surprise “The Scouting King”.

We caught up with Buntu and spoke to him about this incredible adventure. “When he visited our Troop those years I didn’t know he was a king,” says a humbled yet smiling Buntu. “My Troop Scouter told me to just be myself and talk to our visitors, so that is what I did. I talked and talked about Scouting. Wow, I don’t know what I said for him to remember me, it’s awesome! In Scouting I have learned to talk properly and be friendly, I guess that is what I did with the King and I must have left a good impression. Every time you talk to somebody, you leave something special behind.” During the gala evening on Tuesday the 15th of October I presented him with a gift in honour of his time as a King. This was a book written about his time involved in Scouting and the impact he has had on Scouts around the world. He didn’t know I was coming and was very surprised. He said, “the last time I met you, you were so little, but now you are all grown up! It's great to see that after so many years you are still in Scouting!” Then he asked me how my time in Paris was and how it made me feel being here”, explains a very humbled yet excited Buntu. “I was very nervous. I wasn't sure where to start when speaking to a King. At the same time I felt very grateful and honoured to be involved in the event. I had a great time and will never forget it!” While reminiscing about the day he met the Swedish King, Buntu says” Mapelo, my Troop Scouter, called me aside and said “Just be yourself Buntu”. I was a talkative little boy and so I talked to him like I talk to others. I can’t remember the whole conversation but I remember asking him about Scouting in Sweden and he explained that it was the same as in South Africa. I told him that township Scouting is different because we face many challenges every day.

When asked what he will take back with him from this experience, besides great memories he replied: “I was inspired by the people around me who were all very successful. They all said to me that because of the leadership we learn in Scouting that there was nothing that could stand in my way. I could one day be a member of the foundation if that was what I wanted. It gave me confidence to achieve whatever I set my mind to. “ The King was not the only person who received a surprise. Buntu currently studies business management part-time. The Scout Foundation has now accorded him a Scholarship to finalise these studies. “Another big highlight for me was the scholarship the foundation has given me to study further. I am incredibly grateful for all the kind people at the dinner and for what Scouting in general has done for me.” More information: SCOUTS South Africa, PR Natasha Kayle, +27 (0) 73 127 93 56, info@scouting.org.za

October 2013

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FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICE 6th International Youth Gathering Every year the Arab Scout Region holds an International Youth Gathering with the objective of Strengthening ties of friendship and brotherhood among the participants from all over the world, Capacity building of the participants and encouraging them to exchange their cultures among others. Under the theme, ‘Come on to the Capital of Islamic Culture’, the gathering is organized through cooperation between the Arab Regional Office and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Scout Association to take place in Sharjah from 1st to 10th February 2014.

‘LEAD SA’ rewards Scout for giving back to community SOUTH AFRICA - South African Scout Johan Harzon (16) from the 1st Pinelands Scout Troop was the first youth from the Western Cape to receive the LEAD SA Youth Hero Recognition, for his service to others and leading by example.

Each National Scout Organizations in Africa Scout Region is invited to nominate ONE ROVER (males only) to participate in the event according to some set guidelines. H.E. Shaik Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad El- Qasemmi, the governor of Sharjah will sponsor travel expenses of ONE ROVER (economy class) from all applying Africa Scout Region NSOs. For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact your NSO headquarters. “I feel humbled and privileged. But mostly, I am glad that another national organization finally recognizes the good work Scouting does. I did this project as part of my Springbok.

Global Torch Race KENYA – During the 56th Jamboree On The Air and 17th Jamboree On The Internet an exciting challenge, the Global Torch Race was held. The Global Torch Race was about creating the fastest-growing gathering of Scouts globally and with a goal of connecting Scouts globally during JOTA-JOTI 2013. In the challenge, there were about 100 teams that competed to win the Race. Each team had a team leader, who had given his/her team a name. The task for the team leader was to kick-start the Global Torch Race and to be the first person in the team to invite and recruit other Scouts to join this team. A team from Kenya Scouts Association with the name ‘Team Kenya Scouts 2013’, being led by Nelson Opany, managed to have 28 members from 20 countries. Though they didn’t win, the team leader shared his enthusiasm at the opportunity to interact with so many Scouts the world over in 48 hours. Asked about the new online platform for World Scouting where the challenge was held, he said that it was a platform that demonstrated the diversity, unity and vastness of the Movement.

Within Scouting we receive recognition for these types of projects, but there are so many Scouts that do great community projects throughout the year for their Springbok, and that goes unnoticed by outside organizations. Scouting is about the outdoors, friends and adventure, but also about giving back to our communities”, said Johan when asked about his award. Johann and his peers from the 1st Pinelands Scout Troop assisted the citizens of an old age home in his community. “About four years ago, the old age home SAWAS House suffered a devastating fire that destroyed one of their residential homes and the vegetable garden that serviced the home. After the residential area was reconstructed there were no more funds left to maintain the home”, explains the teen. Johann and his peers rebuilt the vegetable garden and planted flowers to beautify the surrounding area. “Our main focus was to rebuild the vegetable garden which will enable residents at the home to produce their own vegetables for both their own use and to sell. It was important for us to make it accessible for all the residents, including those in wheelchairs.” The youths also repainted some of the shared areas of the home. “It was a real learning process for me. I would encourage all Scouts to fundraise for community activities like these. I learnt how to compose a good fundraising letter, I learnt how to compose a proper email and I learnt how to manage a budget and a project. I learnt so much by doing it myself. I really feel empowered to do more in the future. As Scouts, we’re all about getting involved and trying to make a difference in the lives of others.” More information: SCOUTS South Africa, PR Natasha Kayle, +27 (0) 73 127 93 56, info@scouting.org.za

More information: http://www.scout.org/node/18987

October 2013

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Memorable quote

Scouts donate blood for the Westgate Mall Terror Attack Victims

“We want to create the type of Scouts who are community-oriented, disciplined and exemplary and this can be well obtained through the use of learning by doing as taught in the Scouting method.”

KENYA - On 21st September, Alshabab terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack on the Westgate Mall in the West of Nairobi. During the terror attack, 67 people lost their lives and more than 200 victims were badly injured.

Dr Maggie Kigozi, Chief Scout of Uganda Scouts Association

PLEASE EMAIL US A PROVERB OR SAYING FROM YOUR COUNTRY. WE WILL PUBLISH THE BEST IN THE NEXT ISSUE! (africa@scout.org)

UPCOMING EVENTS Scouts and other humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance came out in large numbers to offer service and first aid to the victims. A blood donation drive, to assist the victims, organized by Red Cross at Uhuru Park in Nairobi saw many Scouts, both old and young, line up to donate blood.

The Kenya Scouts Association is in the process of establishing a Scouts National Disaster Response Team that will be equipped with various skills such as Disaster Management, First Aid and Fire fighting among others. The Response Team will focus especially on rescuing and assisting children during Disasters.

EVENT

DATES

COUNTRY

1st World Scout Education Congress

22nd – 24th November 2013

Hong Kong

8th East Africa Zonal Conference and Youth Forum

29th December 2013 – 2nd January 2014

Burundi

Africa Scout Day

13th March 2014

Swaziland

16th Africa Scout Conference and 7th Youth Forum

2015

Mauritius

STAY IN TOUCH!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scouting-in-the-AfricaRegion/163797806967899?sk=wall World Scout Bureau Africa Regional Office P.O. Box 63070 00200, City Square Nairobi, KENYA

http://twitter.com/#!/ScoutingAfrica

africa@scout.org www.scout.org/africa Skype: worldscoutbureauafrica Phone 1: (+254 20) 728499553 Phone 2: (+254 20) 245 09 85