“It’s so awesome,” squealed Girlguide Savannah Wednesday evening after learning that the Cayman Islands and other British overseas territories will continue to maintain ties with Girlguiding UK.
“We’re gonna have a lot of fun, because we can keep earning badges and [continue doing] all our programmes so we don’t lose all our progress,” she told the Compass.
On Wednesday, leaders and members of Girlguiding Cayman Islands breathed a collective sigh of relief at the announcement that British overseas territories will remain part of the UK organisation.
The confirmation, which came through a Girlguiding UK statement on 27 March, has ended months of uncertainty for the local chapter of the organisation in the Cayman Islands since it was announced last year that the UK-based non-profit was closing its overseas operations.
Organisations in the overseas territories, Girlguiding UK said, will now be integrated into the structure of the North West England region and governed by senior volunteers and staff there.
This transition is expected to be completed by 1 Sept.
Cecelia, age 10, could not contain her excitement, “Yay, I am so happy. This means I can continue to be a part of a group where I make new friends, learn new skills and go on amazing sleepovers.”
Girlguiding Cayman Islands commissioner Charlotte Lewis said she was pleased that the girls within the local organisation will get to maintain links with the UK.
“I am delighted that we have been able to find a way forward that will allow us to continue being part of Girlguiding. There has been a team working extremely hard over the past year to find a solution and I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us,” she said.
Savannah, and many girls like her in Girlguiding, sent handwritten letters to Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, sharing their feelings of disappointment when it was announced that overseas operations of Girlguiding UK were closing.
They appealed to Sophie, who has been president of Girlguiding UK since 2003, to help keep the organisation alive for the overseas territories.
Lifelong bonds
Savannah said she was so happy to see their pleas were heard.
“I’m really glad that the letters helped,” she said, adding she knew that the local leaders of Girlguiding Islands worked “tirelessly” to make the change happen.
Mary, 12, has been involved in the movement since sge was 6, starting in Rainbows, Brownies, and now Guides.
“I feel very happy that guiding is continuing, especially because we no longer need to struggle with new resources… Being in the group feels like a family to me,” Mary said, in a written comment to the Compass Thursday.
“I also learn a lot from the activities we do like helping in various important government occasions like the Queen’s birthdays, the King’s coronation, Remembrance Day, to name a few,” she added.
Layla, age 9, said she is looking forward to the next Brownie meeting. “I was so excited to hear the news. I think we deserve a celebration after all the sad news we had heard. When I found out we got back into Girlguiding I smiled from ear to ear,” she said.
Overseas territories affected by the change, in addition to Cayman, are Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Lewis said she was grateful that Girlguiding Cayman Islands “can continue to offer important experiences and opportunities for all of our members here”.
Approximately 200 girls are part of the Girlguiding movement in the Cayman Islands in various sections from Brownies to Rangers.
Through the movement, girls are taught life skills, create friendships and are empowered to be young leaders in their community.
Girlguiding UK had initially extended its deadline for closing its overseas territories’ operations after public protest in local organisations and in the UK.
UK legislators also challenged the decision and passed a resolution that a solution be found to keep the overseas territories in the fold.
Girlguiding UK said that over the past year it had been working with senior volunteers in the nine overseas territories on a way forward for those local activities to continue.
“As a result, we have agreed that Girlguiding North West England’s board of trustees and management structure will provide support to, and oversight and assurance of, guiding organisations in British Overseas Territories, as with their other areas of responsibility,” the statement said.
It added that a dedicated resource within the Girlguiding North West England region, funded by the British overseas territories, has also been agreed.
“We are delighted that members in British Overseas Territories can continue as part of Girlguiding so girls can be themselves, feel at home, have fun and try new things – enjoying time with friends and encouraged by amazing volunteers,” it added.
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