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Angola leads 2012 Africa Scout Day Celebrations

March 2012

Kudumail News from the Africa Scout Region

Inside

Highlight Angola leads 2012 Africa Scout Day Celebrations

Page 1

From NSOs Focus on Founder’s/Thinking Day Celebrations

Mauritius unveils a monument to mark the centenary of Scouting

Côte d’Ivoire: Scouts bridging the technological divide

Food for Life Project in Benin Page 2

Community Development

Africa and Inter America Scout Regions represent WOSM at UNHABITAT

Page 4

Page 4

Events calendar

15th Africa Scout Conference.

6th Africa Scout Jamboree.

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From ARO Cost of travel from your NSO to Angola!

ARO welcomes a new staff member

Page 3

LUANDA - 10 March 2012 – It was pomp and colour as hordes of Scouts assembled at the Dream Stadium, in Luanda, Angola to mark the Africa Scout Day. Over a thousand Scouts participated. Angola led the main celebrations with members of the Africa Scout Committee in attendance. The guest of honour was Angola’s minister of youth and sports Hon.Gonçalves Muandumba, himself a former Scout. The celebrations started on 9 March in Zangu I area in Luanda, with activities such as distribution of mosquito nets, repainting the walls, fencing and painting the perimeter walls of the community dispensary, showcasing Scouting contributions to community development. The event ended on 11 March. Meanwhile, other Scouts across variously marked the ASD throughout the week of 13 March under the banner: "Educate. Transform. Educate." Furthermore, Africa Scout Day gained massive popularity in the social media especially on Twitter and Facebook. For instance, a Facebook post on WOSM page about Africa Scout Day attracted 441 “likes” and 47 comments from followers across the world. This in turn redirected traffic to the Africa Region Facebook page, thereby increasing its popularity. As a strategic achievement for the region more people are now aware of this important day.

In a message to all NSOs on the occasion of this milestone, the Regional Director, Mr Frederic Tutu Kama-Kama said, “It is our responsibility to carry forward the legacy of Scouts and Scout leaders whose honourable actions elicited this glorious acclaim from the African Union. It is our responsibility to ensure that Scouting continues to make a difference in all corners of our continent.” In turn, Ms. Jemima Nartey, the Chair of the Africa Regional Scout Committee delivered a message that focused on the important role of education. She said, “I challenge you to stretch forth a hand to a young one in getting him/her a good and sound education either through guidance, direction or sponsorship. To the young people, you have a challenge to get the best of education knowing that knowledge is power.” Africa Scout Day is held annually on March 13, which is a symbolic date for two reasons. First, On 13th March 1961, in Nigeria, Scout Leaders met for the first time to discuss the organization of the Africa Scout Region. Second, at the 62nd ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the then OAU, (currently African Union) in Addis Ababa in 1995, a resolution was passed that Scouting in Africa must be recognized for its contribution to development and as such March 13 was chosen because of its historical value mentioned above.

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© 2012 World Scout Bureau – Africa Regional Office

Food for Life Project in Benin

BENIN - The Food for Life project has been strongly welcomed by unit leaders. The project is an initiative of the World Scout Bureau African Regional Office in collaboration with participating Africa NSOs. Besides Benin, other participating NSOs are Burundi, Kenya, Niger and Uganda. There are also plans to extend the project to Lesotho. The Food for Life project employs the Principles of Bio-intensive Agriculture for sustainability under limited resources. It aims to provide agricultural skills to young Scouts aged 6 to 17 years. It also emphasizes on the nutritive value of various food crops in a bid to contribute to the fight against nutritional deficiencies. For Benin, as well as for Niger, the project activities are funded by the Finnish Government through the Association of Scouts and Guides of Finland. In the two West Africa countries, the project started in May 2011.In Benin the project has 60 unit leaders and 408 young Scouts have been trained. The project uses the Scout Method and is structured in three progressive stages: Starter, Silver and Gold. At the end of each stage a Scout is awarded a proficiency badge and is allowed to progress to the next stage. Various skills such as land preparation, soil fertility maintenance, caring for various crops, crop rotation, crop pests and diseases control are given to the Scouts at different stages. The unit leaders oversee this project with the support of trainers and commissioners.

FOCUS ON NSOs

Focus on Founder’s/Thinking Day Celebrations Celebrations were carried out across Africa to Mark Founder’s Day. In this edition we bring two selected stories. BURUNDI - Sunday, February 26th 2012 saw the Association des Scouts du Burundi (ASB) and the Association des Guides du Burundi (AGB) come together to celebrate Founder’s Day which is also Thinking Day under this year’s theme: "Together we can save our planet" for the AGB and "Scouting for positive change" for the ASB. The celebration took place at the Independence Square in Bujumbura, with a grand walk. This was followed by memorial service, and finally by speeches and performances of traditional dances. Over 350 Scouts and Guides participated in this event that was an opportunity to lobby for the participation of local Scouts in the 6th Africa Scout Jamboree set for July-August 2012. This awareness has been well received by young people in Burundi and they are looking forward to this experience of a lifetime. During the occasion, awards were presented to various Scout groups following a day of great games between all groups in Bujumbura. It was truly a day of celebration and remembrance of our Founder, Baden Powell, who is still present in our hearts.

GHANA - The Scouts from the greater Accra Region of Ghana were treated to Founder’s Day through fun games at the Azuma Nelson Sports Complex on Saturday 25th February 2012 courtesy of the Ghana Scout Association. Scouts participated in various game activities aimed at improving interaction between the leadership of the GSA and the Scouts. The activity brought together over 500 Scouts and leaders from both Beaver and Rover sections. In attendance was the Luc Scout Group named after Luc Panissod, the Secretary General, World Organization of the Scout Movement, during his visit to the Ghana Scout Association last year. Mr. Gregory Manful, The Chief Commissioner Ghana Scout Association presented warrants to 12 regional and district leaders tasking them to work towards redeeming the image of Scouting in Ghana and urging everybody present to do their best for the development of the Scouting agenda. A football match between the National Executive Committee and a combined team of Scouts Greater Accra Region marked the climax of the celebrations where the National Executive team lost through a penalty shot.

Mauritius unveils a monument to mark the centenary of Scouting

MAURITIUS - The unveiling of the monument to mark the centenary of Scouting in Mauritius took place in the garden of Curepipe Town Hall on February 26, 2012. The Chief Scout Cyril Rose and the Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Devanand Ritoo unveiled this monument to mark the centenary of Scouting in Mauritius, launched in 1912 by Samuel Blunt of Burgh-Edwardes.The unveiling of the Monument Centennial was followed by a series of activities revolving around this historic event.

In his speech, Devanand Ritoo, the Minister of Youth and Sports, said he was impressed by the Scout Movement as a whole and by the commitment Scouts to serve the country. “My ministry is partnering with the MSA and assist the latter in certain activities. Scouting, through its program and its concept, contributes to the development of young people. Scouting can be a model for our youth. Discipline is essential “, he said. Nahaboo Petiot, one of the oldest Scouts, was invited to share his experience with the movement. He said he has seen great moments in Scouting and that Scout training, discipline and rigor, helped him in his daily life.

Scouts bridging the technological divide IVORY COAST - 35 Scouts were among 52 young people from 14 youth movements that attended a computer-training workshop that took place in Bingerville, Ivory Coast from 18th to 20th February 2012. The three-day event with the theme “the importance of Information Technology and Communication in job hunting”, sought to highlight the importance of IT in youth employment.

An initiative of the African representation of Microsoft in partnership with the Ivorian Federation of Scouting that targets youth organizations, networks and institutes with the aim of promoting ICT literacy among the youth as they search for employment.

Awarding the certificates to the participants, Mr. Sylla Moumouni, the chief of staff to the Ministry of Youth Development and Civic Service lauded the partnership between Microsoft and the Scouts of Ivory Coast and encouraged the participants to make great use of their newly acquired skills.

Also present were: Mr. Marcel Blaguet Ledjou, Member of the World Scout Committee, Mr. Guissan Samba, the Education Director, Representative Director of Microsoft, Central and West Africa, Mrs. Seynabou N’doye-Sene,

The Chief Programme Coordinator and Mr. Zoungrana Innocent, the President of the Ivorian Federation of Scouting who said that the workshop was an eye opener for young Scouts and other youth organizations in search of job opportunities.

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Kudumail March 2012

© 2012 World Scout Bureau – Africa Regional Office

ARO welcomes a new staff member

NAIROBI - Mary Wambui Waweru has joined the World Scout Bureau-ARO as the new Partnership Support Officer and takes over from Jacques Sandrizi who has taken over the Development Support Unit. Mary holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in applied Mathematics and Chemistry from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from The Kenya Institute of Management, and is completing her Masters in Business Administration at the University of Nairobi.

She is joining ARO from the International Young Christian Students (IYCS) where she has just completed her term as the Pan African Coordinator. IYCS is an International Students Movement that aims at developing and empowering young people to face the present day challenges through training and capacity building. Her work as the Pan African coordinator of the movement focused on promoting networking and partnerships with other NGOs locally and Internationally, fundraising, as well as project development and implementation in particular in the areas of Education, Peace building and Conflict Resolution, Leadership and Good Governance, HIV/AIDS, Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Ecology. It is also in this capacity that she had the opportunity to partner with WOSM-Africa and participated in joint activities organized in Kenya and Cape Verde. She did also represent IYCS in the Network of International Youth Organizations in Africa (NIYOA), which is currently chaired by WOSM-Africa.

Free Courtesy visa to Angola, Hurry and Apply!

External participants to this year’s events in Angola will get free “courtesy” visas on condition that they meet the application deadline. External participants to the 6th Africa Scout Youth Forum and the 15th Africa Scout Conference are eligible for free entry visa if they submit the scanned copies of the identity pages of their passports by 20th April 2012.

Kindly send the scanned documents along with your duly filled registration form to kikasmax@gmail.com

FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICE

Cost of travel from your NSO, to Luanda, Angola! Kindly note these fares are tentative and are subject to change. Your NSO is encouraged to plan for these expenses.

Benin - USD 2515 Botswana - USD 685 Burkina Faso - USD 2240 Burundi - USD 1885 Cameroon USD 6890 (without overnight in Jo’burg) USD 1490.00 (overnight Jo’burg at traveler’s cost, visa required) Cape Verde - USD 4000 Chad - USD 2196 Comoros - USD 2750 DRC - USD 3676 Cote d'Ivoire - USD 1535 Ethiopia - USD 1540 Gabon - USD 1575 Gambia - USD 2860 Ghana - USD 1100 Guinea - USD 2310 Kenya - USD 935.00 Lesotho - USD 800 Liberia - USD 3095 Madagascar - USD 1665 Malawi - USD 1740 Mauritius - USD 1380 Mozambique - USD 900 Namibia - USD 665 Niger - USD 1980 Nigeria - USD 1275 Rwanda - USD 1275 Senegal - USD 2165 Seychelles - USD 1675 Sierra Leone USD 3560 South Africa- USD 675 Swaziland - USD 860 Tanzania - USD 1280 Togo - USD 1240 Uganda - USD 865 Zambia - USD 930 Zimbabwe USD 1140

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Kudumail March 2012

© 2012 World Scout Bureau – Africa Regional Office

Memorable quote “Scouting is one of the noblest forms of association. Scouts are role models for other young people. With regard to Angola, we can say that Scouting is in a good state. It is acclaimed for its dynamism, its strength, its commitment, and I believe that the same will happen in other countries of our continent.” Dr. Gonçalves Manuel Muandumba, Minister for Youth and Sports, Angola (Speaking in Luanda, during Africa Scout Day 2012 celebrations)

EVENT DATES COUNTRY

6th Africa Youth Forum 1-4th June 2012 Angola

15th Africa Regional Conference

6-9th June 2012 Angola

6th Africa Regional Jamboree 28th July - 5th August 2012

Burundi

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World Scout Bureau Africa Regional Office P.O. Box 63070 00200, City Square Nairobi, KENYA

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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UPCOMING EVENTS

Africa and Inter America Scout Regions represent WOSM at UNHABITAT

NAIROBI - From March 15th to 18th UNHABITAT organized a global youth meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. Dubbed “Youth 21: Building for change”, it sought to Promote acceleration of youth leadership and participation in democratic governance processes broadly and urban governance specifically, among other objectives.

The chief guest was Thabo Mbheki, the former South African president. As a stakeholder, WOSM was represented by Nelson Ochieng Opany a Scout from Kenya, and Ms. Kesylin Lizama from Belize (Central America). “It was my first experience within a UN system.

Also, it was a learning experience and a networking opportunity for collective action. As young people, we really need to rise up and increase our participation. The ball is in our court,” said Nelson. During the event, a team of ten Rovers from KTTC (Kenya Technical Teachers College) assisted in the organization of the event.

This was noted during the closing ceremony. Their service and participation was acknowledged as an example of youth volunteerism. The product of the conference was the Nairobi Declaration addressed to the UN Secretary General UNSG on views of the Youth on the appointment of the Youth Advisor to the UNSG. Some 300 young people from across the globe were invited to this global meeting. The United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon re-affirmed his plans to appoint a special advisor on youth affairs.

© UN-HABITAT/Victoria Chebet