Kudumail Edition 36 EN by World Organization of the Scout Movement

September 2014

Kudumail

News from the Africa Scout Region

www.scout.org/africa

The Humblest Uniform in Congo

Inside Highlight

The humblest uniform in Congo

Page 1

From NSOs My first Scout uniform !WSB-ARO/FILE

Scouts renovate homes impoverished community

Scouts Goma commit to the activities of the UReport project

Page 2 From ARO Let us unite to build a new world of lasting peace

Cycling for peace and health

Q&A with Simone Bazos by Pauline Eiferman Roads & Kingdoms: Can you describe your first encounter with the Scouts? Bazos: I knew that they were out on Sunday mornings to [pull] security at churches around town. So I left my house around 6:30 one Sunday morning and I barely walked a mile before I found a troop marching in the middle of the road. I asked to talk to their leader, the oldest kid, he was 16. I asked if I could take a few pictures he said yes. I started going to their meetings as often as I could; they were happy someone had taken an interest. R&K: What kinds of activities did they do? Bazos: The need for a group like the scouts was definitely greater because of the war. They somewhat emulated military style but they were good-hearted kids in need of structure and an outlet. A good portion of their meetings was song and dance. Sometimes one of the kid leaders would have a book and read to the other kids, sometimes Bible stories, sometimes an old scouting book. Most of the meetings would have a lesson. If it weren’t reading, then maybe the leader would talk about medicinal plants, or how to help take care of old people. There would sometimes be demonstrations, like how to make a gurney using your scout kerchiefs and a few sticks. It was mostly pretty practical stuff. R&K: Who were the leaders? Bazos: There were three or four youth leaders per troop. Most of them were not in school anymore. One sold peanuts on the street; another worked doing basic construction at the Goma lumberyard. The leaders would help the little kids, tie their shoes, and put their hats and kerchiefs on right. They were very humble. There were a lot of teenagers in Goma who were not like them, who were very into fashion and sports, like most teenagers anywhere. But the older teenagers in the troops seemed really special to me. They wanted to impart goodness on the other younger kids—the youngest was three years old. As for the adult leaders, they ranged in age from their twenties to their sixties. Once a Scout in Congo, always a Scout. Many even get married and buried in their Scout uniforms. R&K: Do you know a little bit about the history of Scouts in Congo? Bazos: One of the adults told me the history as he knew it, but I have not really been able to verify. Apparently scouting reached the DRC in 1924 in Lubumbashi. It had moved its way up from South Africa, where it was introduce a bit earlier. Baden Powell’s book “Aids to Scouting” was brought to South Africa in 1907. Scouts were also banned for 14 years I believe under Mobutu. He replaced the Scouting association with a national youth group. There is a pretty religious overtone to the Scouts still today in Goma at least.

Page 3 Community Giving back to society Development Page 4

Events Uganda Scout Association calendar Centenary Celebrations 16th Africa Scout Conference and 7th Youth Forum 23rd World Scout Jamboree

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September 2014

Kudumail

FOCUS ON NSOs Scouts renovate homes in impoverished community

(…Continued from Page 1) R&K: You said the need for a group like the Scouts was greater because of the war, what do you mean by that? Bazos: There was not much for these kids to do, largely because of the war and the country’s failing institutions. Because of the lack of parenting, schooling and other activities, the necessity for a group like the Scouts was greatly increased. It provides stability, a healthy social setting, a purpose for kids who otherwise largely feel insignificant. Also, they look up to the soldiers and want to be a part of something greater than themselves. The Scouts allows them to do that without putting themselves in harms way. One of the adult Scout leaders I talked to told me that joining the Scouts prevented many kids from becoming child soldiers. R&K: How might their role change now that the political climate is different? Bazos: Even though the war has ended, you can’t quite call the state of Congo a peaceful one. The Scouts there had a big focus on empowerment, charity, development and environmentalism—they would spend some afternoons picking up trash and cleaning—so they still have an important mission and there is much work to be done. I think it is really interesting that in Goma, a place with hundreds of NGOs and one of the biggest UN presences in the world, the Scouts are not funded at all. One of the troops I spent a lot of time with did this thing where each time they would meet, each member would bring one lump of coal. At the end of two weeks, one kid would get to take home the big pile of coal. The sense of community among the kids was just so developed, definitely more so than any kids I’ve ever encountered back in the U.S. They really inspired me. For the full interview - http://scout.org/node/41113 Thank you to Pauline Eiferman for allowing us to re-publish this article on this site. She is an associate editor at Roads & Kingdoms and a graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and l’École de Journalisme de Sciences Po in Paris. All photo credits go to Simone Bazos

My First Scout Uniform UGANDA - Byamukama Rogers of Buganda Road always had the compelling desire to acquire a Scout like his fellow Scouts and participate in activities like even public duties which would ordinarily require uniform.

Primary School had uniform to be smart hoisting the flag and one to be in Scout

Rather than go the easy way of asking his parents to buy the uniform for him, he decided to put what he had always learnt in Scouting in practice. That is to always earn every single coin. He had seen this from elder Scouts participating in annual Scout job week to raise funds. He requested to handle some chores over the school holidays to raise enough money to buy his first ever Scout uniform. In this regard, he washed his father’s car on twelve occasions and this earned him 63,000 Uganda Shillings, which is the amount he needed for the uniform. Rodgers decided to share his story so as to inspire other Scouts around the world that it is possible to work your way towards a Scout uniform or any other thing you need. He concludes that he was just being a good Scout.

SOUTH AFRICA - Scouts and Rovers embarked on a two-day project to renovate 5 family homes in the Hazy View district in Mpumalanga. The project, led by Mxolisi Gininda, involved 45 Rovers and Scouts and local professional brick layer Sipho Hlatshwayo. During the course Mpumlanga renovation 2of this project the youths learnt a number of technical skills ranging from fixing a roof and replacing a window to fixing cracked walls, brick laying and painting. Together they managed to fix some of the structural problems of the selected houses and also repaired doors and a number of other small things in the homes of 5 households. As with every home not only the people living in the house benefitted from the renovations but also an additional 45 community members call themselves indirect beneficiaries. After the project was completed the youths saw that they had improved the lives of community members with their own hands. They really felt part of the community. Mr. Mdluli, whose home was also repaired, said that he now considers himself, as a member of the community because he has a place to call home and added, “There is no other place like home”. By making small changes the Rovers and Scouts learned that small things can improve a situation and all felt a sense of achievement.

Scouts Goma commit to the activities of the UReport project DRC - An awareness campaign was held in Goma on September 19, 2014 by UNICEF on the UReport Program - Nieleze (Swahili) or UREPORT (English) where some young Scouts in the city committed to be active in the program. Ureport is a free SMS-based system that allows young people to speak out on what's happening in communities across the country, and work together with other community leaders for positive change. For these children, this program deserves support as they give young people an opportunity to give their opinion on the various development activities that run in their communities. The young Scouts who had been introduced to the project greatly appreciated the program because it did not depart from the values promoted by Scouting. In addition, these young people confessed to being guaranteed confidentiality to responses that were being sent to the Ureport server hence increasing participation and ensuring sincerety. The Scouts were already undertaking activities to raise awareness to both Scouts and non-Scouts in the city of Goma and it’s environs. This outreach would help to expand the Ureport network in Goma. According to these young Scouts more young voices will be heard by government policy makers and donors hence the contribution of Scouts from Goma to create a better world would be a step further in bettering their communities. Courtesy of Pierrot MUVHIRI, Assistant Leader Trainer, Federation of Scouts of Congo.

September 2014

Kudumail

FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICE Let us unite to build a new world for lasting peace DRC - On the sidelines of the International Day of Peace, 21 September 2014, the Scout Association of South Kivu celebrated this auspicious day in the central prison in Bukavu, specifically in the department of juveniles.

Cycling For Peace and Health UGANDA - In preparation for the World Scout Cycling Expedition to Japan in 2015 and the Centenary celebrations in Uganda in the same year, Scouts in Uganda are undertaking different community activities as a way of promoting peace and test route trainings in order to keep fit and prepare for the great adventure.

During the celebrations a special mass dedicted to the prisoners was lead by Abbot Francis, a priest in the Diocese of Kongolo in Katanga and and also a second year student taking Medicine at the Catholic University of Bukavu.

One hundred (100) Scouts comprising of the Provincial Commissioner and members of his team, members of the district team in Bukavu, the Standing of ASSK, community mediators accompanied by a team of the AmahoroAmani peace project and thirty prisoners took part in the rally. The Deputy National Commissioner of FESCO responsible for managing adult resources in the NSO attended the event with her two children who are Beavers made a speech on this International Day of Peace. She reminded the participants that peace begins with each and everyone, she added, "The country can not move forward with all this mass of young people who are incarcerated and do not produce but only consume.” The Scouts interacted with some of these children and learnt that there are those who are in prison for numerous offences while some have been there for over 2 years without having charges pressed against them. Most of the families never made follow up for their children to be acquiited or presented in court. The guests pleaded with the youth to maintain a responsible and healthy behavior while refraining from such vices as alcohol, drugs and theft and to stop putting their freedom and future in jeorpady. Children in conflict with the law specifically those in juvenile were sensitized to behave well so that once released they will not return to prison and they will easily be reintegrated into their respective communities. The participants in the event donated some supplies to the detainees such as soaps, bread, clothes, sugar as a reminder that they might be incarcarated but they were not alone. Courtesy of Jean-Jacques Bagalwa MURHANDIKIRE, Deputy National Commissioner of the Federation of Scouts of DR Congo

On September 18th, Uganda Scouts Cyclists embarked on a community service where they cycled from their respective homes to Kisenyi Health Centre IV and were warmly received by the sister- in -charge who handed them over to the personnel–in-charge of hygiene. After cleaning the wards in the health Centre they also cleaned the compound and it’s environs and left it better than they found it as per the Founder’s teachings. The Nurse in charge of the Health Centre appreciated the Cyclists and thanked them for identifying this particular health Centre for the community service in commemoration of the International Day of Peace.

The Scouts continued from the Health Centre to join the rest of the youths at Sharing Hall where they were welcomed and had a press conference where they shared about their activities and peace initiatives. They also mentioned about the Scouting movement’s Peace Project, Messengers of Peace, which has been embraced by lots of Scouts the world over and their communities. Later they joined youths from different youth led organizations who were attending a peace conference under the theme, Youth Right to Peace. They discussed how youth could play a central role in promoting peace in Uganda. The conference was facilitated by UNICEF Uganda.

September 2014

Kudumail

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Memorable quote

Giving back to society

"As Scouts, we have the opportunity to choose Peace as a daily practice by offering simple acts of kindness. Peace starts with me, with you and with all of us together."

NIGERIA - As a way of taking Scouting to the grassroots towards the attainment of 100 Million Young Scout members by 2023, our Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who doubles as the Scout Commissioner in charge of Special Scouts in Nigeria; Senator (Dr) Bode Olajumoke donated a Four Bedroom Bungalow to the Lagos State Scout Council of the Scout Association of Nigeria at Ibeshe Scout Centre, in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

- Scott A. Teare, Secretary General, World Organization of the Scout Movement

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

This was part of his 70th birthday celebrations with the Nigeria Special Scouts. The donation was just one of the Senator initiatives of giving back to the Society, a tenet of Messengers of Peace within the Scouting Movement.

EVENT

DATES

COUNTRY

Uganda Scout Association National Camp

8th – 14th August 2014

Uganda

Uganda Scout Association Centenary Celebrations

2015

Uganda

23rd World Scout Jamboree

28th July – 8th August 2015

Yamaguchi City, Japan

16th Africa Scout Conference & 7th Youth Forum

2015

TBC

STAY IN TOUCH!

In attendance at the edifice opening was the Chief Commissioner of Scout of Nigeria; Olori Omo-Oba Olusoga Sofolahan-Atibioke, alongside with members of the National Scout Council and the Lagos State Scout Management Committee. On behalf of the entire Scouting body in Nigeria, we want to say BRAVO and appreciation to our Distinguished Brother; Senator Bode Olajumoke (a.k.a Baba Olajumoke) and his wife Princess Olajumoke for their never ending support to the Scouting Nigeria.

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