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| Me (left) making new friends! |
Anais Nin
A quick look through my Facebook friends list reveals one of guiding's little-mentioned strengths. Amongst the countless activities I've tried, skills I've learnt and awards I've achieved, lie the hundreds of friends I've made along the way. Even as I'm typing, the song in the background reminds me of going to see my first Ranger unit in the local Gang Show!
My guiding friends really do sum up the concept of 'Global Conversations'. Yukie, a Japanese Girl Scout leader, who lead the hosting team for a cultural exchange project I went on in 2009. Anna, a Swedish Scout leader I met at the World Scout Jamboree last summer. Hannah who was one of the participants on a trip to Namibia and has now herself been a leader on a trip to Sangam. Wassim and Walid, two Tunisian Scouts who took my team under their wing while doing the Explorer Belt (and Em and Mary my teammates of course!). Kirsty and Mary of my second Ranger unit, and our fab unit trips to Paris and Copenhagen. Pippa who's spoken at the UN on behalf of WAGGGS. Don't worry, I won't mention all 200 of them!
I know they've all had their impact on me, and I'm really lucky to be able to call them friends, thanks guys! After all, a lot of what makes my guiding memories so special is the friends that go with the places, smells and sights. And if all this global talk has whet your appetite (and I hope it has!), why not apply to take part in an international trip? Nothing beats an international trip for new friends and global conversation! Ask your Leader to help you find one for you.
Meanwhile get involved in this global conversation by sending in your own blog about friendship - there are lots of fun ideas for all ages here.
Claire Bennett, Girlguiding UK member
Claire Bennett, Girlguiding UK member
Having worked with Claire on the development of the Together We Can resource, as well as on the International Team for the Girlguiding UK Centenary Camp, before being reunited in a service team role at Pax Lodge for the 2011 Young Women's World Forum - our friendship definitely has a global theme to it!
ReplyDeleteMy Guiding experiences mean I am confident to say I have friends on every continent (maybe with the exception of Antartica for the time being) and this can be no bad thing.