FOREWORD BY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world by being part of the YESS Girls Movement program to make health contribution for AGR . This year we are hosting 8 participants from Malawi , Ghana ,Zambia , Zimbabwe , Uganda , Senegal , Madagascar and Kenya , 8 energetic young women who are anxious to learn about guiding within AGR to interact with our members at all levels and share practices from their respective countries .
Our association highly values the YESS programme as it highlights the rich international stretch of guiding which is captivating new members. Lastly , thanks to WAGGGS and NOREC we appreciate for offering this journey of a life time to young women participating in the program and at the same time for the host countries to benefit from the programme for their members and association as a whole.
Pascaline UMULISA
Executive Secretary
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY MEMBERSHIP GROWTH COORDINATOR
February was a very busy month in terms of activities. YESS participants had to do their own work following the program’s action plan and also attend different activities organized by Association des Guides du Rwanda. This month Team Rwanda has been able to recruit 497 girls into guiding. This has been done in different schools of our target district. The team were introduced to the young leaders and the staff with whom they are going to do field activities all the 6 months long. Participants have been so dynamic in the preparation of World Thinking Day; they run different activities. Preparations for the campaign have also started and we hope to have a successful one. Team got an opportunity to be introduced to the staff of AGR and attends the staff weekly meeting to update the whole AGR team about YESS activities
Thank you!
Leatitia MUJAWAMARIYA
GREEN TECH COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN
Rain Water harversting
Sensitization on sustainable use of rainwater goes beyond words panther to action, gutter installation on roofs, buckets for storage and consistency on the same action for both subsistence and economic gains besides ecosystem conservation at large. We visited six families in three different districts. Before the project, these families travelled long distances to get water for cooking, for the animals… Moreover, Rwanda being a
very rainy country, these families were facing many difficulties: flooded houses… Thanks to the installation of gutters, they can collect rainwater for home use (after filtration) and thus reduce flooding.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
Recruitement
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is the
largest global association supporting the female-oriented and female only guiding and scouting organisation in 150 countries. WAGGGS reaches out to girls and young women all around the world through membership recruitment. This is a mechanism used to introduce new members to the association. (YESS) Youth Exchange South to South is another program run by WAGGGS in partnership with (NOREC) Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation, the YESS program has 6 core initiatives one of them being
*welcome to my world * this is when the yess participants visit different areas, reaching out to the reached, unreached, underreached and hard-to-reach areas to recruit girls and young women into girl guide. So far as the YESS girls Rwanda we were able to reach out to schools called G. S MAREBA and City Infants School both in GASABO district, Kigali province where we recruited 330 and 70 girls respectively.
In RWAMAGANA district east of Rwanda we were able to recruit 97 girls at COLLEGE MARIE RENIE. All together we recruited 497 girls out of the total 2000 girls we are to recruit. The girls we met were very receptive and participated in all the activities. They were young but very ambitious and their warm welcome cannot go unnoticed as they were very happy to receive us and the message we carry.
GOOD TURN COMMUNITY PROJECT
Tree-Planting and Clean up
TREE PLANTING
greening the globe,a tree at a time,AGR and YESS team joined Kamonyi district community to plant eucalyptus and Calliandra tree species to mark opening ceremony of 2020 guiding and scouting week in the country.
UMUGANDA
my dirt,my responsibility’ it was the last Saturday of the month.The sun rose on a group of eight girls and two caretakers cleaning up their compound, pruning trees, cleaning water tunnels and sweeping the pathways.
RED PRIDE
Menstrual Hygiene Management
The red pride menstrual hygiene management education is one of the programs run by WAGGGS through the YESS girls movement, it is one of the core initiatives in the YESS program. This is where the YESS girls identify schools and any other places in which girls and young women are properly educated about menstrual hygiene and inspired to take action so that periods don’t limit the life of chances for others.
As team Rwanda, so far we have educated 97 girls from COLLEGE MARIE RENIE which is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda in RWAMAGANA district. Before the session the girls were asked about some of the perceptions they had about Menstruation. Some of the girls said they can’t cook, play or do field work. And also they did not feel like Menstruation is something they can be proud of. But after the session the girls were able to open up and understood that Menstruation is normal and a woman’s pride and That there is nothing to be ashamed of.
YESS GIRL CAN
Road Safety
“GERAYO AMAHORO” : “Arrive Safely” is a campaign led by the Girl Guides of Rwandav in collaboration with the Rwanda Scouts Association and the
police. For 3 days, drivers, motorcyclists and passengers were made
aware of the precautions to be taken on the road.
FRIENDS OF GUIDING
Friendship
Comfort Gondo:
‘Books to change the world, a step at a time.’Passionate about change specifically in Africa, this sweet lady shared some of the books and badges meant for the continent with the guiding team.
Nyakan June :
‘Listen a lot to acquire knowledge a school can’t teach you,learn to give time to learn. Besides, empower and inspire young people to leave a positive legacy to the lobe.You don’t have to have all answers now, follow your heart and learn along the way!!’
Faith Wich:
Networking, partnership and collaboration is the future to the globe, positive actions ‘talk’ much than a silent big job title.’Keep you objectives realistic and exploit them while sharing your vision of change to the world.’
WORLD THINKING DAY
Diversity Equity Inclusion
22nd February is a very joyful and festive day for all Scouts and Guides around the world. We celebrate the birth of our founder: Baden Powell.
In Rwanda, this year we celebrated this day with our brother scouts. The day started with a traditional animation session followed by a procession to the kicukiro district stadium. We had the privilege of meeting the trainers and executives of the Association of Girl Guides of Rwanda, but also a Chair person of WAGGGS Africa Region “Larissa Esmiralda Byll CATARIA”
SURF SMART
Online Safety
Staying safe while achieving your fullest potential online is every users dream. This greatly depends on need, knowledge and a click on the option button. Besides, consider three basic points: First, connecting positively to the globe through consideration of the positive and negative indicators and effects of internet usage with a fear that once one’s information is let out to the digital footprint the person has no control over it, it is often prudent to misjudgement and minsinterpretation.
Second, protect yourself from online risks by using the perfect password of at least eight (8) characters consisting of symbols, numbers and letters, keep the password to yourself and change if often, log-out your social network accounts especially after an online browse. Firewalls and anti-viruses keep one at bay from malware frequenting online devices. Pop-ups on the screen with juicy lottery deals may seem like a jackpot!
No, just cancel it!!!
Ultimately, respect your noble rights and hard-earned reputation while using the internet by being cautious of how much you share an image relays a thousand words, use of BCC to protect group emails is key to protecting relevant information from being shared. Moreover, avoid simple spelling mistakes, plagiarism, check site’s privacy settings and block or report cyber bullying incidences. Besides, save on both time and money while utilizing the internet.
YESS PARTICIPANTS SOCIAL LIFE
Knowing that we come from different countries,and that our cultures vary. So we consider that it is a great opportunity to live together and explore the numerous cultures.
We enjoy one another’s meals and act as ‘Oliver Twist’ we want more!!!
We are a Big Team. For us, good interpersonal relationship is the basis despite our diversity.
LIGHT ON ALUMNAE
Name:
Umutoniwore Shemsa
YESS participated year and country?
2018-Uganda
- What inspired you to apply for the programme?
I wanted to learn more about guiding in other countries so that I can share in my home country. - How did you feel about being in a foreign country away from home for 6 months?
To be honest, it was
not easy. However, it was a nice experience.Sometimes you wish you could
do certain things but you just had to cope. - Did you ever feel homesick and if so, how did you manage it?
Of course I did especially when it was my birthday.There was no birthday celebration organized
for me meanwhile it would have been a mega celebration if I were in my home country. - Did the exchange have an impact on your life?And if so tell us about it.
Absolutely.I am now an expert in making reusable pads because I learnt it during the exchange
concerning reproductive health management.
I can now speak and write English which is one of the Official languages of WAGGGS thanks to
the exchange.
Through the exchange, I have been able to speak out and lead out wherever I find myself. - What are you currently occupied with?
I am now the District Commissioner for Kicukiro District and also a volunteer.
YESS BUS CORNER
Name:
Ndamukunda Zamda
- Designation:
a Marketing Assistant/ YESS Alumnae - Experience in Guiding:
Guiding has made a positive Impact in my life, it shaped me into the person I am today, through guiding i have
been able to explore my leadership skills through the YESS Program making me a member of Youth committee
in my Association, it has boosted my self confidence, along with setting my goals and preparing myself for
anything especially how to overcome challenges . As a result of guiding I have a firm belief that anything can be
achieved with great effort and perseverance. - My Vision and motivation:
A Vision can change over time but me personally I believe in the words that “a girl with dreams become a woman
with vision” being a girl guide inspired me to have this vision to help every girl to realise her fullest potentials
and that no girl should ever struggle to realise her basic rights.
In line with my passion I am so motivated to be a Volunteer it really inspired me to create a positive influence in
my life and that of my society. - My future insight in Guiding :
It is gaining more practical skills and experiences having the opportunity to share my knowledge. - Advice
Being a girl guide gave me an identity and made me realize that the contribution to my community is very
important my advice to my fellow Girl guides is share your Guiding
knowledge to others as we know information
on time to us girls is very important.
