Creating Our Future

Sri Lanka hosted the International Differently Abled Girl Guide Camp under the theme‘Creating Our Future’ which was held from August 12 to 17, 2011 at Ladies’ College. This was the first time that
Sri Lanka was hosting this camp. Girl Guides from the Bharat Scouts and Guides India and the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association participated in the camp along with Guides from all four corners of
Sri Lanka. A Guider from Girl Guiding UK was also present as a volunteer at the camp.

The camp was held for the sight impaired, hearing impaired, Guides with Downs Syndrome, slow learners and mentally impaired. The camp was all the more special as the Guides came together as one family irrespective of nationality, religion or ethnicity. After months of hard work and eager
anticipation the entire Girl Guide family was excited and happy when the camp was declared open on August 12, 2011.

The camp started with a procession from the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association to the Ladies’ College hall where the opening ceremony was held. Some of the campers performed a pooja dance and sang a beautiful song at the opening ceremony.

The other activities at the camp included a sports festival, activity day, trip to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, open day and a camp fire. The Guides had a lot of fun as they learned new skills, sang songs in different languages and built strong friendships. “The Guides are very excited and have made a lot of friends,” said Chan Wing Hang the Guide Leader from Hong Kong.

The Guides were also able to showcase their numerous talents and develop their confidence. The camp was a very valuable and educational experience for the girls who were also taught to be independent and
disciplined. Many people ranging from mainstream Guides to business organizations stepped forward to help make the camp a success.

When the time came for the Guides to go back home, they were reluctant and wished they could stay at camp with their new friends for a longer period of time. Yes, the Differently Abled Girl Guides had a wonderful and unforgettable experience indeed!