What started out in South Africa during the Boer War, when groups of boys were enlisted to carry important messages around a town that was under attack, has mushroomed into a worldwide movement known today as the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides/Scouts.
The scheme of which was the brain child of Robert Baden-Powell, who after discovering how successful his initiative in South Africa, was decided to introduce the concept to England when he returned to his homeland.
He felt the need to impart to the boys in England vital skills learnt by the scouts such as camping, team work and leadership, pioneering, stalking and orienteering which would prepare them for when they were older, and so he wrote “Scouting for Boys” describing how this was to be done.
The book caught on amazingly with the boys and in 1909, the first Boy Scout Rally was held at Crystal Palace in London.
Much to Lord Baden-Powell’s surprise, the boys were joined by bands of girls, dressed in variations of the Scout uniform, taking part in the rally- showing their interest in being part of the movement. Lord Baden-Powell, made arrangements for the ‘Girl Guides’ and a team of girls was headed by his sister Agnes.
The Girl Guide movement spread across the world rapidly, reaching Sri Lanka in 1917.
The worldwide movement of Girl Guides and Scouts is celebrating its centenary this month.
Sri Lanka by itself has done much over the years.
An indication of which can be seen in the timeline, which shows some of the mile stones set by the Sri Lanka Girl Guide Association since guiding was introduced to the island. The following is a look back at how Guiding in Sri Lanka evolved.
1917: First Girl Guide Company formed at Girls’ High School, Kandy. A junior branch called “Rosebuds” (now known as Little Friends) also formed.
1918: Ceylon Branch of the Girl Guides Association formed. Mrs R. W. Byrde appointed Sri Lanka’s first Chief Commissioner.
1921: First Ranger Companies formed in Kandy and Colombo.
1922: First All-Island Rally held at Queen’s House. Cadet Branch inaugurated.
1924: Elephant adopted as emblem of Association. Branch for the Handicapped (now known as the Branch for the Differently Abled) started.
1927: Guiding introduced into rural areas.
1928: First Girl Guide Headquarters opened at No. 18, Baillie Street, Fort.
1934: Lord and Lady Baden-Powell visit Sri Lanka.
1939: Island Standard presented to the Association by Sir Stewart and Lady Glencora Schneider (President of the Association).
1951: Sri Lanka becomes a Full Member of WAGGGS. Guiding started at the Training Colleges.
1952: Miss Edna Alwis, first Ceylonese Chief Commissioner, appointed. Miss Perviz Rustomjee becomes Sri Lanka’s first Queen’s Guide (now known as President’s Guide Award). Miss J. Vairakiam appointed first International Commissioner.
1954: HM Queen Elizabeth II visits Sri Lanka and is presented with a Gold Friendship Pin.
1960: Chief Commissioner Mrs Sita Rajasuriya elected to the World Committee of WAGGGS at the 17th World Conference in Greece. Lady B-P visits Sri Lanka and an open air Guide/Scout pageant staged in her honour in Colombo. Mrs Sita Rajasuriya and Miss Edna Alwis awarded the “Beaver” (a commonwealth award)
1962: First camp for Handicapped Guides held.
1965: “Hansa Puttu” (the Association’s highest national award) awarded to Miss Edna Alwis and Miss R. Blaze for exceptional services rendered to the Movement.
1968: Lady Baden-Powell visits Sri Lanka. The Jubilee Commemorative Pillar was unveiled by the Hon. Mr Dudley Senanayake, Prime Minister of Ceylon. Mrs Mukta Wijesinha appointed Chief Commissioner. Sri Lanka Guide Flag introduced.
1969: The Asia Pacific Region of WAGGGS was established and Mrs Sita Rajasuriya elected as first Chairman of the Asia Pacific Regional Committee.
1974: Mrs Venetia Gamage represents WAGGGS at the IPPF World Conference in England. Miss Rohini Wickramasinghe represents WAGGGS at the UNESCO-sponsored International Youth and Population Conference in Rumania. Asia Pacific seminar “Guiding for the Whole Country” organized in Tangalle on behalf of WAGGGS.
1975: Mrs Sita Rajasuriya elected Chairman of 22nd World Conference. Mrs Mukta Wijesinha elected to World Committee (WAGGGS). Mrs Freny Jilla elected member of Sangam Sub-Committee (WAGGGS).
1977: Diamond Jubilee International Camp at Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo. Asia Pacific Regional Committee meeting hosted in Colombo.
1981: Rangers renamed “Senior Guides”. Mrs Freny Jilla appointed to Asia Pacific Committee.
1985: Death of Mrs J. Greene. Mrs Venetia Gamage appointed Chief Commissioner. 3rd Colombo Senior Guides win Olave Award for continuous community service.
1992: 75 year celebrations.
1995: Girl Child programme and Oral Rehydration Therapy programme (both funded by UNICEF) launched. Belgium/Sri Lanka exchange programme organized – group worked at the National Training Centre and the Vocational Training Centre.
1996: First All-Island Peace Camp held in Embilipitiya for Guides and non-Guides (funded by UNICEF).
1999: International Senior Guide Service Camp “Building a Better World” held at Heenatipone, Mawanella.
2000: 30th Asia Pacific Committee meeting held in Colombo. Miss Shaleeka Jayalath chaired the Planning Committee for the Asia Pacific Region’s first International Leadership Training for young women held in Taiwan.
2002: Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association presented with 3 awards at the 31st World Conference – increase in membership, participation in Lend-a-Hand project, hosting an Asia Pacific event.
2003: “Our Rights, Our Responsibilities” programmes (6 year WAGGGS’ programme) launched.
2006: Tsunami Relief Task Force (now known as Disaster Management Committee) created.
2007: 3R programme (funded by LIRNEasia) started. Health and eye camps for low income areas in and around Colombo started. 11th Kandy Senior Guides win Olave Award for continuous community service. HIV/AIDS awareness programme commenced at the Passport Office.
2008: Environmental Star-Rating programme launched.
2010: Walks held islandwide to commemorate World Thinking Day. Panel discussion on “Role of Women in Challenging Professions” organized to commemorate 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.
Centenary of World Guiding celebrated on 10th April 2010. International camp “Centenary Friendship Circle” organized.
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