Asia Pacific Link News - September 2013

11th Asia Pacific Regional Conference Reveals the Asia Pacific Membership
Development Strategy with Six Strategic Priorities
In the recently concluded 11th
Asia Pacific
Regional Conference, the Region revealed the
six strategic priorities in the Asia Pacific
Membership Development Strategy which will
bring the Region towards achieving 4 million
members by year 2020. During the conference, a
session was
dedicated to give
an opportunity to
Member
Organizations to
provide input
into the strategy
and give the
mandate to the
Asia Pacific Regional (APR) Committee to
finalize the proposed strategy.
The six strategic priorities are:
1. Strengthen the skills of adult members.
2. Deliver attractive and quality
programmes.
3. Retain and grow membership and
market share.
4. Build strong structures and organization
systems.
5. Expand and diversify funding in Member
Organizations and the Asia Pacific
Region.
6. Enhance image and
awareness of Girl
Guiding/Girl Scouting.
The 11th
Asia Pacific Regional
Conference was held in Tokyo,
Japan from 29 June to 6 July
2013. The conference with the
theme “Believe, Belong, Be
more” was hosted by the Girl
Scouts of Japan and attended
by 120 participants including
guests from partner
organizations.
The Conference also marked
an important occasion as the
Region welcomed back the
Republic of the Union of
Myanmar into the family of Girl
Guiding/Girl Scouting.
Representatives from Myanmar
Girl Guides were presented with the Certificate
of Country Working Towards Membership of
WAGGGS at the opening ceremony of the
conference.
Another remarkable event during the conference
was the launching of the WAGGGS Asia Pacific
Region 40th Anniversary History Book "40 years
of common purpose in the Asia Pacific Region,
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts" written by Jan MacIntyre.
Besides the business parts of the conference
such as the Asia Pacific Report and bidding of
the next conference venue, the conference
offered sessions on updates from WAGGGS,
discussion on the Membership development
strategy of WAGGGS and the Region,
Governance review, focus groups and capacity
building sessions like educational programme,
marketing and fund development.
The conference also elected a new set of
members of the APR Committee 2013-2016.
They are (Left to Right): Minori Yuda (Japan);
Lucy Tan-Atichat (Thailand); Marybelle Mariñas
(Philippines); Low Lih Jeng-Chair (Singapore);
Pinky I-Ling Lin (Taiwan) and Melanie Bennett-
Vice Chair (New Zealand).

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September 2013
Japan Falls in Love with New Zealand!
Twelve Years of Sisterhood Bonding
between Tauranga GirlGuiding and Hitachi
Girl Scouts
A group of Girl Guides from GirlGuiding New
Zealand, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty visited Girl
Scouts of Hitachi City in Japan from 20 April to
3 May 2013. Seven high school students and
three leaders enjoyed exploring Japan with
three troops of Girl Scouts from Hitachi City.
Tauranga Girl Guides and the Girl Scouts of
Hitachi initially established an exchange
programme in 2001, as part of the sister city
relationship between the cities. An invitation
was sent from the Mayor of Hitachi who has
been working closely with Hitachi Girl Scouts for
many years. Every two years, the exchange
takes place and either Hitachi Girl Scouts go to
New Zealand or Bay of Plenty Ranger Guides
come to Japan. This visit was their fourth and a
total of 65 members (37 from New Zealand and
28 from Japan) have strengthened their
sisterhood relationship through this exchange
opportunity.
During the two weeks, they learned about
each other’s culture and established friendship
by living with Girl Scout families and
experienced many cultural activities together,
including a special visit to the Mayor. Non-Girl
Scouts elementary school students from
Hitachi City were also invited to one of the
programmes called “English camp” hosted by
Hitachi Girl Scouts and Hitachi Board of
Education, aiming to provide the experience of
a Girl Scouts’ International camp. Under the
three house rules of “smile, make new friends
and never give up,” all the Japanese were
challenged to speak only English to the
Tauranga Girl Guides for two days of the
camp. It was quite a challenge for both
countries in terms of communication, although,
making new acquaintances brought them a
fresh perspective to their lives. The “stepping
out of comfort zone“ experience made them
understand our differences and appreciate
similarities. The participants were happier and
fulfilled at the end.
Since 2001, this exchange programme has
been well received and valued in both counties.
A significant impact was the increase in the
number of Girl Guides in Tauranga. Profound
changes seen in participating Tauranga Girl
Guides and Hitachi Girl Scouts indicate that the
exchange certainly is an opportunity for learning
and growth.
"Rights. Camera. Action!: Media Summer
Camp” for Girl Scouts of the Philippines
Planet SAVERS
72 Junior, Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts, 30
troop
leaders, and
staff of the
National
Headquarters
and Councils
participated
in “Rights.
Camera.
Action!:
Media Summer Camp” of the Girl Scouts of the
Philippines in partnership with the Department
of Education and the National Council for
Children’s Television at the Helena Z Benitez
National Program and Training Center,
Tagaytay City from 20 to 22 May 2013.
The workshop’s aim was to cultivate the
creative minds of the participants and harness
their skills in photography, videography (pre-
production, production and post-production) and
script writing and the use of these skills as tools
to spread awareness on the different issues
concerning them and the community.
The programme also promotes good viewing
habits by encouraging parents’ participation in
choosing the television programmes for their
children to watch. Ten video clips mostly under
60 seconds were conceptualized, written,
produced, directed and partly edited and scored
by the Girl Scouts and their leaders. All were
plotted on environmental issues and climate
change such as water conservation,
deforestation, energy consumption, and proper
waste disposal.

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September 2013
International Service Camp in Mongolia 2013
National Young Leader’s Committees of Girl
Scouts of Korea carried out the International
Service Camp in Mongolia 2013 at Mary Ward
Center, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 4 to 12
August which was partly sponsored by Friends of
Asia Pacific WAGGGS. This camp was
implemented as a joint programme with 13
Korean Girl Scouts, 7 Canadian Girl Guides and
90 Mongolian Girl Scouts and children with an
aim at activating Mongolian Girl Scouting.
Korean
young
leaders
organized
troop
meetings for
the
Mongolian
youth and
children to enjoy the Girl Scout programme such
as craft, science, physical activities and music
and earn some badges. They also painted the
wall of the troop meeting place and built the ger,
the Mongolian traditional nomadic house, for one
underprivileged family with the financial support
from GSK, Korean Young leaders’ fundraising
and participating Canadian Girl Guides. This
family was delighted to get a new house and
appreciated Girl Scouts.
In addition, participants learned dance and
songs from each country and shared each
country’s food such as Khuushur, Bulgogi and
hot cake. During the Camp, Korean young
leaders developed their leadership by planning
and implementing the programmes by
themselves as well as global citizenship by
exchange programme.
At the International Service Camp, participants
felt some difficulty due to language barriers, but
the spirit of Girl Scouts made the project
successful by
uniting them into
one. Mongolia Girl
Scouts will keep
learning the spirit of
Girl Scouts and
growing as years go
by. Korea National
Young leaders’ Committee will keep trying to
exchange with Mongolian Girl Scouts and to
develop networking with other MOs other than
Canada to make this camp more international.
Special Summer Camp for children in Areas
Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake
On 9 to 11 August 2013, Girl Scouts of Japan
(GSJ) held the "Zest for Living" camp 2013 as a
part of the Great East Japan Earthquake
support project at the National Hanayama
Youth Outdoor Learning Center in Miyagi. The
camp is organized for children living in Iwate,
Miyagi, and Fukushima -- areas affected by the
earthquake. This is the third year since GSJ
started the "Zest for Living" camp. Children
have been looking forward to this camp and the
number of applicants has been increasing every
year.
This year, there were 171 applicants for 100
spaces and it had to be decided by lot. 149
children had a chance to join the camp and 84
staff supported them. Staff comprised Ranger
Girl Scouts (high school age) who became
patrol leaders and had activities with
participants and adult staff who organized and
managed the whole programme.
The "Zest for Living" camp is funded by Girl
Scout Great East Japan Earthquake Fund and
will be held again in the next two years.
GGAM Commissioners’ Annual Conference
and AGM 2012/2013
204 delegates attended the Girl Guides
Association Malaysia (GGAM) Commissioners’
Annual Conference and thoroughly enjoyed the
interesting and stimulating interactive activities
geared towards living healthier, happier and
safer lives. Hosted by GGAM Federal Territory
Kuala Lumpur Branch, it was held at the JW
Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur from 24 to 27 May
2013.
On the first evening, an aerobic
exercise competition was held by the poolside
to encourage engagement in physical activities
to stay healthy. The next morning, there was a
talk by CyberSecurity Malaysia to create an
awareness on online safety especially for
children and women, who are more vulnerable
in today’s fast paced digital environment. This
was followed by a session on `Nutrition &

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September 2013
Exercise for a Beautiful & Healthy U’. Next was
a series of laughter exercises by laughter yoga
guru Ms Karen Sze Tho which saw the
delegates laughing hysterically.
In her session `Team Building for Healthy Living’,
Prof. Dr. Lee Kar Ling stressed the importance of
improving and maintaining one’s mental
wellbeing. “If you have good mental health, you
are able to value and accept yourself, build and
maintain positive relationships with other people
and manage times of change and uncertainty
positively”, she said.
Also present were GGAM Chief Commissioner
Datin Seri Hajah Zalillah Bte Mohd Taib and
President of GGAM Federal Territory Kuala
Lumpur Branch, Dato’ Yeoh Soo Keng.
The following day, GGAM Royal Patron, Her
Majesty The Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku
Haminah graced and officiated the opening of
the Annual General Meeting. Her Majesty also
presented a certificate of appreciation to 13-
year-old Sarah Batrisyia Mohammed A'reeff, for
winning the World Association of Girl Guides and
Girl Scouts and Greenpeace International's 'Flag
for the future' competition, in conjunction with the
'Save the Arctic' campaign. She also presented
the Asia Pacific Awards to 28 leaders and the
Queen’s Guide award to 31 Ranger Guides.
Queen's Guide Ruby Chow Heng Yee, 17 said
her five years of hard work has finally paid off.
“Being a Queen's Guide has turned me into a
better person, in terms of leadership, time
management, discipline and much more than I
expected to be. Throughout my journey, I have
met loads of great people. We're not just
friends, but a family. As the first Queen's Guide
of SMK Seri Saujana, I hope to inspire my
juniors to become Queen’s Guides too”, she
said proudly.
Earlier in the morning, 76 leaders also received
the GGAM appreciation
awards for their
services to the
association and
community by the
Prime Minister’s wife
who is also the
President of GGAM,
Datin Paduka Seri
Rosmah Mansor.
Former Chief
Commissioner of GGAM Johor Branch, Juriah
binti Mohamed, 62, who received the Asia
Pacific Leadership Award for Service to Girl
Guiding/Girl Scouting from the Queen and the
Long Service award (20 years) from Datin
Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor said, “I am really
happy and grateful to GGAM for the awards.
It’s nice to be appreciated. I have been in Girl
Guiding since Form One. Though retired, I am
presently serving as the Branch Commissioner
for Programs and Training. I guess my passion
has rubbed off to my two daughters who
worked their way to become Queen’s Guide”.
Girl Guides Association Cambodia
Partnership with BBC Media Action
Cambodia
The Asia Pacific Regional Committee’s visit to
BBC Media
Action
Cambodia
during the
Asia Pacific
Regional
Committee
meeting in
March 2013
has initiated
a partnership between Girl Guides Association
of Cambodia (GGAC) and BBC Media Action.
Prior to this, the project has now been shown
on two different episodes of Loy9 on
Cambodian national TV. They are also
available in YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LPhq8RUr
OI&feature=share from 22:09 to 25:49 mins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06JyZrC-
TR4&feature=share from 20:46 to 25:40mins
The segment with GGAC shows GGAC girls
being trained in filming and editing and later
involved in filming a community service project.
On 25 to 27 March 2013 five talented young
women from GGAC and four dental students
from the University of Health and Science took
a three day course in filming and editing with
hit youth initiative Loy9. Produced by BBC
Media Action with funding from the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
and SIDA, “Loy9” uses entertaining shows, live

5
September 2013
events and trainings to help young people in
Cambodia get involved in the world beyond their
homes and schools.
For three full days, basic skills on concept
development, script writing, story lining, and
camera use on filming and video editing were
taught by the Loy9 Event Team to the young
people. Hosted at the Girls Guides Association
of Cambodia main office, the training was fun
and educational. “Before, I knew nothing about
video shooting or video editing. This is the very
first for me to be able learn and to develop a
brand new skill. I’ll benefit a lot from this training
to help myself and other.” said 17 year-old, Youn
Sreylux, Ranger member.
Three trainings on the basics of video filming and
editing have so far been conducted for selected
groups of youth participants in different parts of
the country. Each group was selected based on
their successful written stories – on what and
how, they themselves or their group, volunteered
in contributing in their community development.
After each training is completed, the trainees
produce a three minute documentary to explore
ideas and understanding on issues to help
benefit their community, which will be shown on
national television in one of Loy9 TV episodes.
“It is such an amazing activity and opportunity for
the Girl Guides and dental students to produce
their very own video documentary, hoping that
the audience would benefit and understand the
importance of personal hygiene and youth
involvement in helping people in their
community,” said Yen Chenda, Loy9 Events
Producer.
The Girl Guides and dental students are
producing a documentary of their own
volunteering project to raise awareness and
inform parents and children on personal hygiene,
including the health benefits of hand washing.
The group will be receiving professional
technical advice from the Loy9 Team and soon
will be seen by many people from all over the
country.
Malaysia Takes Part in International AIDS
Memorial Day 2013
In conjunction with
International AIDS
Memorial Day 2013,
Cadet Girl Guides from
Girl Guides Association
Malaysia took the
proactive step to
sensitize their fellow
student teachers on the disease. They organized
an AIDS Education and Awareness Program
with the cooperation of the Co-Curricular Unit,
Institute of Teacher Education Penang Campus
and Community AIDS Service Penang, a non-
governmental organization on 2 May 2013.
Company Leader Norashikin Bt Zainull Abidin,
21, said that the increasing infection among
women is worrying. “We want women to have
the right information about HIV and AIDS. We
opened this programme to male student
teachers too as the discussion included gender
roles, rights and responsibilities”, she said
Calaine Ng and Tiang Chung Tee, also 21,
believed that the programme managed to raise
awareness and created more openness about
the disease. “We must try to combat stigma and
discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Our communities should be more supportive of
these people”, they said as they gave out red
ribbon pins.
At the end of the programme, they lit candles to
remember those who have lost their lives to
AIDS and to support those living with HIV/AIDS
and affected by its impact.
Girl Scouts of the Philippines Bags Betty Go
Belmonte Award
The Girl Scouts
of the
Philippines was
conferred with
the Most
Outstanding
Non-
Governmental
Organization Humanitarian Award during the 3rd
Betty Go Belmonte Awarding Ceremony
recently. The award was given by the University
of the Philippines Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae
Association. The Betty Go Belmonte Awards are
bestowed on outstanding individuals and
organizations in recognition of how they
significantly promote the values and virtues of
the Award’s namesake. Betty Go Belmonte was
the Charter President of the University of the
Philippines Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae
Association which was incorporated in 1985.
Betty Go Belmonte was a journalist, publisher
and businesswoman of one of the country’s
leading dailies, The Philippine Star. She was a
renowned socio-civic leader, values and
women empowerment advocate, and a
philanthropist in various fields. Recipients of this

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September 2013
award should exemplify some of Betty Go
Belmonte’s merits and commitments such as
advocacy of peace and social cohesion; dynamic
and motivating leadership; sincere generosity
and genuine caring concern; quiet and
disciplined work ethics anchored in humility,
compassion and commitment; non-violent social
reform; highly principled and values-oriented
personhood with strong spirituality and moral
ascendancy and renowned integrity and
credibility.
The award recognized the untiring efforts
exerted by GSP in fulfilling its commitment to its
mission of helping Filipino girls and young
women realize the ideals of womanhood and
prepare themselves for their responsibilities in
the home, the nation, and the world community.
GSP provides training and offers programmes
addressing the contemporary issues affecting
girls and young women. These programmes
constantly evolve in order to respond positively
to the challenges of Spirituality and Well being,
Environment, Preparedness, Family Life,
Economic Self Sufficiency, Our Heritage and
Citizenship, Arts and World Community. The
award was received by Dr. Salud A. Bagalso,
National President with Dr. Cristina Lim-Yuson,
1st National Vice President and Myra Contessa
Diokno-Sarmenta, Assistant National Executive
Director.
Girl Scouts Join “RecyClass” Project for
Additional Public School Chairs
Mondelēz International, the makers of the
powdered juice Tang, has tapped the Girl Scouts
of the Philippines (GSP) to be its partner in their
“Project RecyClass”
where used foil packs
will be collected and
converted into flood-
proof plastic school
chairs. Girl Scouts will
be collecting used foil
packs in schools and
communities to help Tang achieve their goal to
collect 30,000 kilograms of empty Tang foil
packs from communities nationwide. This will
produce 10,000 chairs for selected public
schools in Metro Manila.
GSP will be working for the second time with the
Tang Galing Club as a partner for their advocacy
programmes. “Galing” is a Filipino word that
means excellence. The first project in 2011 was
the Tanggaling Kids Awards Programme for
young achievers, aged 7 to 12 years old, who
possess positive traits like initiative, compassion,
and integrity.
Kids' Visit the Government Day 2013
Girl Scouts of Japan participated in the Kids'
Visit the Government Day 2013. It is an
opportunity for children to visit, learn and
understand about the government through
activities. For this event, ministries and agencies
cooperate and support children to learn about
their work during the Summer holiday.
In 2013, the visit day was on 7 and 8 August and
24 ministries and agencies gave opportunities for
children to visit. "Kids' Passport for
Kasumigaseki, Japan" was issued as a guide
book that includes programme information and a
map. 15,000 participants, including the
guardians/parents, took part in the two-day
activity.
The Girl Scouts of Japan cooperated with the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology and provided a programme to
teach rope work (clove hitch) and to make a
small craft using twigs. This was a great
opportunity to raise awareness of Girl Scouting
to the public. GSJ handed out a leaflet and
information sheets to the participants.
OB-PS Japan Meeting
On 29 June 2013, OB-PS Japan welcomed
some OB-PS Board members and Nadine El
Achy, the Chair of WAGGGS' World Board, who
visited Japan for the 11th Asia Pacific Regional
Conference and held a meeting at Girl Scout
House in Tokyo. About 30 participants gathered
and discussed about membership development
as well as deepened exchanges. Also, a young
leader who attended to a project in Rwanda
receiving a grant from OB-PS visited the
meeting and reported her activity and
experience. Participants were interested in her
activity report and it raised much attention to the
OB-PS.

7
September 2013
Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) Association of
Thailand Grows its Members
Between 2011 and 2012, Girl Guides (Girl
Scouts) Association of Thailand (GGAT)
attracted around 10,000 new members –
increasing membership to 57,461 by the end of
2012. Girl Guiding activities in Thailand mainly
take place in schools, so relationships with
teachers have been essential in growing
membership and promoting Girl Guiding/Girl
Scouting.
GGAT borrowed marketing strategies from the
corporate world, in particular ‘members-get-
members’ or ‘recommend a friend’ schemes
whereby the Association encouraged existing
members to persuade their friends, relatives
and schoolmates to join Girl Guiding. GGAT’s
Treasurer attended the International Workshop
on Resource Mobilization Asia (a workshop
focusing on building fundraising capacity) and
following this was inspired to build partnerships
with other organizations such as Thai Women’s
Watch.
The Association has also made use of existing
resources and contacts – for example the Chair
of Fundraising for one of the Association’s
training centre is a prominent business woman,
so has recruited a significant number of
members and supporters through her networks.
The Association runs a hostel, and delivers
training to non-Girl Guides staying at the hostel,
encouraging them to become members. Finally,
GGAT began training male teachers, in order to
enable them to deliver the Girl Guiding
curriculum in schools.
“It is important not only for GGAT, but every
Member Organization to grow membership:
firstly to work towards WAGGGS’ Vision 2020:
‘All girls and young women are valued and take
action to change the world,’ says Dr. Lucy Tan-
atichat, International Commissioner, “Secondly,
having more members will bring in even more
through the members-get-members
programme. Having more members, more
ideas are being generated thus benefiting the
organization.”
The WAGGGS Asia Pacific Region supported
GGAT in their activities, Dr Lucy says
WAGGGS’ recommendations helped grow and
retain membership. The WAGGGS Asia Pacific
Region made suggestions for retention of
membership at senior level, such as by
engaging with young women in universities.
WAGGGS also suggested that the Association
provides more flexible training courses for
leaders. Previously courses took place over five
consecutive days, and many leaders could not
attend due to their jobs, so the Association now
runs training at weekends.
Sri Lanka Runs 3L Project
The 3L Project of
the Sri Lanka Girl
Guides Association
(SLGGA) was
successfully
concluded on 5
June 2013, with a
bridal show,
exhibition and a
competition of needlework and handicraft. At
the bridal show each of the 17 participants
displayed their skills by dressing a bride, using
matching accessories, hair styling, make-up
and creation of a floral bouquet. The exhibition
and competition of needlework and handicrafts
included painted pottery, embroidered saris,
table-ware, household linen, glass painting, soft
toys and baby clothes.
An awards ceremony is planned for July 2013
to distribute certificates in the following areas to
those 30 persons who participated in the 3 L
Project: Computer skills; Sewing and
Embroidery; Handiwork and Craft skills;
Spoken English; Culinary Arts; Bridal Dressing;
Beauty Culture.
In keeping with the goals envisioned by the 3L
Project to equip participants with life skills and
management skills - the following programmes
linked to the essentials of Girl Guiding/Girl
Scouting, were conducted: A basic training in
the fundamentals of Girl Guiding; Health;
Personal Safety; Thrift; Communication Skills;
Community Service.
As part of the Community service a Health
Camp was organized on 6 April 2013 for the
families and greater community of Mattakkuliya
where the 3L Project is located. Approximately
250 persons attended the camp, run by the
participants 80 persons were gifted spectacles
free of charge. They also offered flood relief by

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September 2013
donating dry rations and household equipment
was distributed to 300 residents of Mattakkuliya
who were affected by the floods.
The knowledge and skills taught to the
participants had a positive impact on their lives.
This was evident in their confidence in
interacting with society at large and improved
levels of grooming and social conduct. Six of the
participants are now employed in various
spheres. Ten are launching out as entrepreneurs
- in bridal dressing and beauty culture.
“I was just 14 when I had my first baby. After that
3 more babies followed. There was no time for
anything except cooking, cleaning and raising
my children in our tiny house.My daughter is now
16 and I found that I need to keep pace with her.
She goes to school and knows and learns many
things. I was feeling rather helpless and lost
when I enrolled in the 3L Project established by
the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA).
I learnt so much. I have re-gained my
confidence, because now I know how to operate
a computer like my daughter does. I can advise
her on make-up, good-grooming and safe sex.
My oldest son said that he thinks I am a clever
and good mother.I am very happy that I had the
opportunity to join the 3L Project. It has made my
life so much better”. R. Devishwari (one of the
participants in the 3 L Project).
Guides WA.NT Change! Girl Guides from
Western Australia and Northern Territory
Visit their Together Greening Twinning
Partners in the USA
For the past 12 months, a group of 17 Girl
Guides in Australia, spread over the two states
of Western Australia (WA) and the Northern
Territory (NT), have been working with a six-
member team from Girl Scouts Eastern South
Carolina (GSESC) on an environmentally-
focused twinning project. It is a girl-led
environmental action project, one of 17
worldwide that has been funded by the Alcoa
Foundation.
The girls, aged between 12 and 17, have been
working together to raise awareness of littering
and to educate their respective communities on
the importance of recycling. Local activities
included information stands at community
festivals, educational Youtube videos, freeze
action flash mobs, and a puppet show for young
Girl Scouts in the USA.
With further assistance from the Alcoa
Foundation in the form of a travel grant, six Girl
Guides and two leaders from WA and NT
travelled to the USA and Mexico from 5 July to
21 July 2013. Although the two countries have
used technology to get to know each other and
work together, it was a fantastic opportunity for
the two groups to meet in person and to carry
out additional environmental activities together.
After some sightseeing and learning about the
history of Charleston, South Carolina, the group
of 13 travelled to the GSESC campsite ‘Sandy
Ridge’. The group participated in camp
activities, and ran an evening programme for the
campers. The evening programme included a
quiz based on the environment and the
importance of recycling, and a relay race. The
campers were also given reusable shopping
bags that included a pledge to help the
environment.
From Sandy Ridge the group had an early start
to drive to Atlanta, Georgia, for their flight to
Mexico and a stay at the World Centre Our
Cabaña. A special environmentally-focused
programme was organized by the Our Cabaña
team, and included a visit to a local government-
run greenhouse and plant nursery. The group
members filled nearly 300 pots with soil and then
planted seedlings in the pots. Once ready, the
plants will be distributed to local communities for
revegetation projects and to support local
handicrafts.
Another special activity was travelling to
‘Meztitla’, a local Scout camp just outside of
Tezoptlan to participate in a reforestation project
within the camp grounds. Each person planted
up to five trees, with between 250 and 300 pine
and citrus trees in total being planted. Each
person adopted one of their trees, giving it a
name and receiving an official birth certificate.
Many of the Australians who planted trees took
on Australian names, such as ‘Skippy’,
‘Vegemite’ and ‘Blinky Bill’.
Throughout the project, and further established
through the travel opportunity, the Girl Guides
and Girl Scouts learned about team work,
leadership, communication, environmental
advocacy and above all else, how special it is to
belong to a worldwide movement.

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September 2013
Bangladesh Girl Guides Association Stands
Beside Victims of “Rana Plaza Collapse”.
On 24 April
2013, an eight-
storey
commercial
building, ‘Rana
Plaza”, collapsed
in Savar, a sub-
district in the
Greater Dhaka
Area, the capital
of Bangladesh. The search for the dead ended
on 13 May with the death toll at 1,127.
Approximately 2,500 injured people were
rescued from the building, most of them were
garment workers.
The tragedy is considered to be the deadliest
garment factory accident in history, as well as
the deadliest accidental structural failure in
modern human history. One of the garment
manufacturers' websites indicates that more than
half of the victims were women, along with a
number of their children who were in nursery
facilities within the building.
The Bangladesh Girl Guides Association came
forward to help the victims. They visited the spot
and helped volunteers by supplying them with
water. The National Commissioner, Deputy
National Commissioner, Treasurer, Project
Commissioner, Regional Commissioner, Dhaka
and Capital Region and other members also with
Girl Guides and Rangers visited the National
Orthopedic Hospital and distributed an amount of
115,000 BDT among some female victims of the
Rana Plaza accident.
On 25 May 2013, members of the National
Ranger Council along with the Ranger
Commissioner visited the National Orthopedic
Hospital. Many of the victims had lost limbs and
needed surgery and treatment. Some Rangers
arranged to render service for the victims at the
hospital. The team also visited CRP where 46
victims were admitted for treatment. Many of
them said that they needed rehabilitation
programmes to have a better future ahead. The
team distributed fruits among the victims,
consoled them and talked to them about their
present condition and future plans. Later the
team visited the disaster spot and prayed for the
victims. After the visit the team decided to raise
funds to help rehabilitate few female victims with
sewing machines and the like, especially for
those under 18.
Bangladesh Girl Guides Association
Celebrates Safe Motherhood Day
On 28 May 2013, Monowara Orthopaedic and
General Hospital, Golapbag Biswaroad, Dhaka
arranged a free medical camp for the pregnant
mothers on Safe Motherhood Day. They
provided free checkups, blood grouping, HBs Ag
test, free distribution of medicines and health
card to be used during the pregnancy period.
They also arranged a seminar for the mothers
and their family members regarding both mental
and physical care needed during pregnancy and
lactating period.
The Bangladesh Girl
Guides Association
was also a part of
this event. Dr.
Fauzia Moslem, co-
chair, Bangladesh
Women Federation
was the chief guest.
Syeda Rehana Imam, National Commissioner,
Bangladesh Girl Guides Association was the
special guest of this programme. Regional
commissioner, Capital and Dhaka, Project
Commissioner, trainers and office members
along with Rangers were present at the event.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Monowara
Sultana, founder, Monowara Orthopaedic and
General Hospital. In her speech she specially
thanked BGGA for prompt and effective support
to make the event successful.
International Volunteer (IV) Japan and the
Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) Association of
Thailand (GGAT) Present Funds to
Corrections Department
On 15 May
2013 Mrs.
Sachiko
Tominaga from
IV-Japan
(International
Volunteer
Japan)
provided funds
to children of women inmates through the
Deputy Director-General of the Corrections
Department, Ministry of Justice. IV-Japan,
headed by Mrs.Tominaga. Based in the Laos
People’s Democratic Republic, this is a group of
volunteers in Japan, who raise funds to help
under-privileged girls and young women in
Thailand and Laos PDR. Mrs. Tominaga has
also been a keen supporter of The Girl Guides
(Girl Scouts) Association of Thailand (GGAT)

10
September 2013
and regular donor to the hill-tribes girls in
Thailand through GGAT. Joining also on the
occasion was Dr. Lucy Tan-atichat, International
Commissioner. A young donor noted “The funds
received go towards my education and cost of
living. I miss my mother very much. When I think
of her, I like to draw pictures and then give to her
when grandma brings me to visit her.”
Friends of Asia Pacific
WAGGGS
5
th
Regional Gathering of the Friends Of Asia
Pacific
Friends of Asia
Pacific (FAPW)
from 11 different
countries met in
Tokyo, Japan from
29 June to 6 July
2013 for the 5
th
Regional
Gathering. Unfortunately, FAPW Patron, Her
Royal Highness Princess Azizah was unable to
attend and was very much missed.
Girl Scouts of Japan (GSJ) were wonderful
hosts, anticipating the Friends’ every need,
always smiling, hardworking and ever helpful.
The Worker Bees certainly lived up to their
name. The youth members of GSJ, looking
great in their very smart uniforms, charmed
everyone. They presented participants with little
gifts and greeting cards they had made, sang
beautifully and gave spectacular drumming
performances.
The Business Meeting brought members up to
date with developments since the last General
Assembly and with plans for the future,
especially the next General Assembly, which is
to be held in Thailand from 16 to 20 January
2014.
The FAPW Regional Gathering was held
concurrently with the 11th
Asia Pacific Regional
Conference and Friends were invited to join the
Conference delegates for their Opening
Ceremony, the Keynote Address by Yuriko
Koike, a member of the House of
Representatives, the Asia Pacific Report and
the WAGGGS Global Presentation. During the
Asia Pacific Report session, the Founder of
FAPW, Dr Juseon Byun was presented with the
Asia Pacific Region Appreciation Award for her
outstanding service and contribution to the
development of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in
the Asia Pacific Region.
During the Gathering, Friends enjoyed
opportunities to experience many aspects of
Japanese culture through activities which
included flower arranging, tea ceremony,
dressing in kimono, Rakugo in which the lone
storyteller becomes many characters, Tama
Sudare which is comic street performance,
traditional music and dances, drumming
performances, wax vegetable making and a visit
to Asakusa.
Many participants wore traditional national dress
for the Membership Ceremony and Dinner at
which 70 new members and 32 upgrading
members received pins or plaques from Dr
Juseon Byun. There were a further 25 new
members and one upgrading member who were
unable to be present at the ceremony. National
dress was also worn on Bazaar Night, at which
items donated by members were sold to raise
funds for the Asia Pacific Region.
Medal of the Order of Australia Awarded to
Dallas and Marian Langdon
Marian and Dallas
Langdon received
the OAM (Medal of
the Order of
Australia) in
Queen Elizabeth's
Birthday Honours
list. Many
congratulations to
Dallas and Marian on this honour.

Asia Pacific Link News - September 2013

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Asia Pacific Link News - September 2013