October 2014
Kudumail
News from the Africa Scout Region
www.scout.org/africa
Improving Image and Harnessing Growth and Development
Inside Highlight
Improving image and growth and development
harnessing
Page 1 From NSOs JOTA-JOTI Africa !WSB-ARO/FILE
Peace begins with you
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From ARO Agricultural skills for Scouts enhances local food security
National Jamboree and Anniversary Young people Century skills
acquiring
the
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Community Smiles galore while Scouts refurbish Development home Page 4 TANZANIA - The Regional Director, Africa Scout Region Mr. Frederic Kama-Kama made his maiden visit to Tanzania Scout Association from 28th to 30th October 2014. This visit came against the backdrop of recovery phase Tanzania Scouts Association has been experiencing after years of institutional instability and dented image internationally. This visit served as an opportunity for the Regional Director to have open discussions with the top NSO leadership on ways of improving Scouting image and harnessing its growth and development. It also provided an opportunity to meet top government officials to rally support for the Scouting movement in Tanzania. Finally the Regional Director also took the opportunity to have a 1st hand experience on Scouting in the ground by visiting selected Scout groups and projects. Indeed this was a fulfilling mission with positive outcomes, which will go a long way in repositioning Tanzania as a Scouting powerhouse not only in East Africa but also in Africa Region at large
Events Uganda Scout Association calendar Centenary Celebrations 16th Africa Scout Conference and 7th Youth Forum 23rd World Scout Jamboree
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October 2014
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FOCUS ON NSOs JOTA-JOTI AFRICA
AFRICA – Most NSOs in the Africa Scout Region participated in the 57th Jamboree On The Air and 18th Jamboree On The Internet from the 18th – 19th October 2014 thus showing Africa has come of age technologically. Find below a collection of some of the photos from NSOs in the Region.
Tanzania Scouts Association
Senegal Scout Federation
Scouts South Africa Jamboree-On-The-Air and Jamboree-On-The-Internet (JOTA-JOTI) are official international twin events of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). They are youth programme events intended for young people in Scouting of all ages. The purpose of JOTA-JOTI is to enable and encourage Scouts around the Kenya Scouts Association world to communicate with one another by means of amateur radio and the Internet, providing a fun and educational Scouting experience and promoting their sense of belonging to a worldwide Scout Movement. JOTA-JOTI related activities take place simultaneously all around the world each year Scouts Association of Nigeria
during the third weekend in October. It is also the largest Scouting event in the world with nearly one million Scouts participating across 160+ countries the third weekend of October.
Peace Begins With You
TANZANIA - On the 18th October, 10 Scouts from Tanzania Scout Association did a climbing expedition to the Mount Kilimanjaro to commemorate the International Peace Day, which was held the previous month. The expedition had its equal share of challenges but the Scouts soldiered on and didn’t despair, they all managed to get to Gillman’s point which stands at 5685 metres above sea level. From that point they headed to Uhuru Peak where only 3 Scouts managed to get there. Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim and stands at 5,895 metres above sea level. The Scouts proceeded to raise the Scout flag and post peace messages while shouting “Peace Begins With You” messages from the peak. The Association plans to hold an international climbing expedition in 2015 where they will invite Scouts from other NSOs. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and fourth highest of the Seven Summits, is considered the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, rising 15,100 feet (4,600 meters) from base to summit. Kilimanjaro is also the most prominent mountain in Africa.
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© 2014 World Scout Bureau – Africa Regional Office
October 2014
Kudumail
FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICE Agricultural skills for Scouts enhances local food security
SOUTH AFRICA - On the 17th of October people all over the world observed the United Nations’ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. SCOUTS South Africa supports efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger through a number of community development projects and their renowned “Food for Life” programme. “Scouting provides original approaches to several of the problems affecting young people today: poverty, education, crime, HIV & AIDS, unemployment, gender inequality and a collapse of the traditional family unit and social values, explains Milly Siebrits, CEO of SCOUTS South Africa. “Since 2005 SSA runs a programme called Food for Life. The programme strives to teach children, youths, their families and community members how to establish food gardens, how to maintain them and enhance the food security for their families, local churches and community centres.” The programme is offered as part of nationally run environmental education camps or as stand “food for life” programmes. “Food for Life” is introduced to 10-year-old children who learn how to grow their first vegetables. This progressively increases to a bigger size garden. Scouts have implemented numerous community projects. Many of them choosing to do it as a Group project and starting the vegetable gardens at school. Vegetables are used for the Scout families, soup kitchens at schools and sold to community members. The programme additionally provides participants with entrepreneurial skills in order for them to be able to sell their own vegetables. The programme received international acclaim in 2008 and was rolled out all over the African continent by the Africa Regional Scout Bureau. “Scouts do not learn from theory alone, but from “learning by doing”, she adds.
National Jamboree and Anniversary
ETHIOPIA - The 5th National Jamboree and the 1st Youth Forum was hosted by Tigray Scout Council at Mekelle University from August 30 to September 4. 264 Scouts arrived at the university to take part in this celebration from seven regions namely, Addis Ababa, Dire Dava, Amhara, Harar, Tigray, Oromia and South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’. The main day of the celebrations was dedicated to the opening ceremony, which was started off by a walk around the city with the police marching band. A press release was sent to the press, which created more awareness about Scouting in Ethiopia.
Mr. Eyasu Tesfaye, the Tigray Region political advisor and head of Tigray youth association board of directors read a welcome speech where the guest of honour was Hon Bahita Wolde Michael. The Chief Scout, Dr. Costantinos Berhe, Chief Commissioner, Dr. W.A Davis, and Deputy Chief Commissioner Mr. Mekonnen Tadesse were also present. The 1st Youth Forum focused on the issue of Scouting for entrepreneurship and was held at the Ministry of Education conference hall. Attending the Youth Forum were two delegates, one reserve delegate and one observer from five regions and two city administrations making it 28 participants. Issues pertaining to the youths of Ethiopia were discussed and a road map to addressing them drawn. The participants in the forum were able to cater for their own expenses to attend which was quite commendable. Celebrations for the 95th anniversary were full of pomp and colour where the guest of honour was Dr. Kideya Gebrehiwot, President of Mekele University. In his speech he pledged his big support for Scouting and acknowledged his interest in Ethiopiad’s bid in hosting the next Africa Scout Jamboree. This Scouting event wouldn’t have ended on a high note without a campfire where Scouts showcased their talents. The participants were also treated to cultural visits to various historical places and giving back to society by doing community service. The Addis Ababa, Amhara, Dire Dawa, South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Scout regions also got an opportunity to support their bid to host the 6th Ethiopia Scouts National Jamboree by making presentations.
Young People acquiring the 21st century skills
SENEGAL - From the 18th – 19th October 2014, hundreds of Scouts participated in the 57th Jamboree On The Air and 18th Jamboree On The Internet at the EEDS (Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs Du Sénégal) headquarters, the Dakar Amateur Radio Club and the British Council. A total of 113 Scouts participated in JOTI and 34 Scouts in JOTA where they were in contact with other amateur radio enthusiasts in the world. Exchange of scarfs, badges and photos was agreed as follow up actions in the coming months. The Scouts of Senegal were in contact with 23 countries through JOTI and 15 countries through JOTA. Some of the objectives they worked under during the event were; • To offer new and attractive educational activities to Local Scout Groups • Giving our young people opportunities of meeting on international grounds with other Scouts and Guides • To develop the value of Service with new technological tools • To give more value to technical learning in Scouting • Create intergenerational synergies • Help our young people be more open minded The event was well received by the young Scouts, as this was a good time for experience exchange and discovery of the marvels of new communication technologies and also a moment to show how proud they were to be members of the Scout Movement. Special thanks to the partners who helped in supporting this event in one way or the other, namely; Microsoft, British Council Dakar, Jjiguéne Tech Hub and the Microsoft Students Partners in Senegal. With their help the JOTA-JOTI 2014 Camp was organized, with sessions of "Hour of Code". The “Hour of Code” tries to demystify Computer Science for young people through tutorials and online games etc. All this allowed the young Scouts and adults to exchange and share experiences with their invited guests about their work and professions. Story courtesy of Abdou Touré the National Coordinator
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© 2014 World Scout Bureau – Africa Regional Office
October 2014
Kudumail
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Memorable quote
Smiles galore while Scouts refurbish home
"Scouting is a melting pot of all ethnic groups for strengthening a nation."
SOUTH AFRICA - A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others. Which is exactly what 15 Scouts from 1st Table View did this month at the Eric Miles Cheshire Home in Milnerton, Western Cape. The initiative was taken by 17 year old Emma King, a Troop Leader from 1st Table View Scout Group who organised this community service project as part of her quest to achieve her Springbok. “We picked this charity because we realised this was a need in our community and by renovating and refurbishing the home, the 46 residents, many staff members and the charity organisation itself would benefit,” explains Emma. Some of the projects were purely maintenance like painting gates and walls. Others were more intensive as establishing a fenced off potting shed area and building a cupboard in the lounge. “We created a potting shed area so that residents have a controlled environment in which they can work in the garden. The potting shed area was made accessible to people in wheelchairs too. This means that all the tables for potting are made to a specific height and the gate and latch system were modified. “The vegetables grown will be used in the kitchen as a source of food. Other flowers are also grown which are then used to bring in some income at fêtes.“
- Mr. Hassane Graffada Outman, Chad - May 9, 2011
PLEASE EMAIL US A PROVERB OR SAYING FROM YOUR COUNTRY. WE WILL PUBLISH THE BEST IN THE NEXT ISSUE! (africa@scout.org)
UPCOMING EVENTS EVENT
DATES
COUNTRY
Africa Scout Day
13th March 2015
Main Celebrations TBC
Uganda Scout Association Centenary Jamboree
18th – 28th October 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!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scouting-in-the-AfricaRegion/163797806967899?sk=wall
Highlights were: “While we were helping we got the chance to interact with the residents and it felt good to know we were making a difference in their lives. This for me was a primary goal of the project,” says Emma. “For me personally, it was inspiring to see how the residents accept life and go on with a smile with a positive attitude despite their severe medical conditions or disabilities.” “I am really proud of my Scout Troop and am truly grateful for all the support I received, which inevitably enabled me to successfully execute this project and make our society a better place,” concludes Emma.
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
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© 2014 World Scout Bureau – Africa Regional Office