New Regional Director for the Africa Regional Office Mrs. Rubina

Marivonne Haroon, 44, from Seychelles, has been appointed as the new Regional Director of the World Scout Bureau, Africa Regional Office. Mrs. Haroon holds a BA in International Relations and has worked in the Horn of Africa for the past 14 years. She comes to the World Scout Bureau from the UNDP Kenya Country Office, where she has been the Senior Assistant Resident Representative and Head of the Strategic Outreach Unit since 2004. Prior to joining the UNDP in Kenya, Mrs. Haroon spent 12 years working in Somalia with both the UN and the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO). She has spent the past 14 years working directly within the international community undertaking strategic planning, management and oversight of programming. In the past 8 years, she has held various senior positions within the United Nations and has 6 years experience as a technical advisor for the European Union. Mrs. Haroon will take office on 1st September 2006. We join the rest of the international Scouting fraternity in wishing her, the very best, as she takes up this new and challenging position. To read more on this appointment, go to: http://www.scout.org/press/wnews/060714.shtml.en

Final Reminder of the Africa Regional Jamboree in Mozambique

The League of Scouts of Mozambique extends the final invitation to Scouts and their leaders in Africa and beyond to this important event. Further, Lemo is asking all those participants who have not notified the organising committee about their arrival in Maputo to do so before Friday 21st July, for facilitate final plans. Dates: 21st July to 31st July 2006 Venues: Maputo, Antonio Repinga Park, Matola, Catembe, Xefina, Konglote and Pequenos. Theme: Community is Scouts’ mission; Fight against Poverty for Justice and Peace, Equality and Respect for the Environment. Arrivals: All participants are expected to arrive on 24th July 2006, at Antonio Repinga Park for registration and subsequent transfer to Matola Camp, which is the main camping location. All contingents should communicate their times and means of arrival be it by air, by bus, by train or by private means. Contingent leaders should ensure that all their participants are in possession of relevant and valid travel documents like passport and visa where required. Registration: All Scouts, leaders and IST will pay their registration fee on arrival, as follows, per participant: Scouts and Leaders: US$ 100 International Service Team: US$ 80 Currency: The local currency is Mozambique Metical (MZM) 1 British pound = 47,117.08 MZM 1 US $ = 26,048.97 MZM 1 EURO = 32,906.73 MZM 1 SA Rand= 3,836.30 MZM Further information on the event can be obtained through: www.scouting.org.za/africa/jamboree or contact the organising committee on or  

DANIDA Project Field Development

Officers’ Meeting in Nairobi Country coordinators of the DANIDA project in Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Swaziland and Malawi together with representatives of the Danish Project Committee and concerned executives met recently in Nairobi to discuss at depth on the project implementation. The meeting discussed in detail, on ways and means to fulfil the project objectives within the broader framework of the individual National Scout Associations and management of the project finances.

WAGGGS and WOSM in Africa to Discuss ways of Cooperation

The World Association of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS) and the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) have over time had several informal meetings about possible areas of cooperation. Both Movements have similar origins, with each - in its own right - having a large membership of youth. Thus the need to have cooperation, officially and formally, is only natural, and has been a long time coming. In June 2006, the African offices of both WAGGS and WOSM had a meeting to explore ways in which the two organizations can formally maximise co-operation for a greater impact in the region. In attendance were the Chairpersons of the African Committees of both Movements, the Africa Regional Directors and other executives of WOSM and WAGGGS. Several areas of strengthening cooperation were discussed such as HIV/AIDS awareness education, reaching out to children in difficult circumstances and peace education. Several action steps were agreed on to take the cooperation forward.

Support for Sakykrom Scout Camp Kandersteg

International Scout Centre confirmed that they would support the construction of bathroom facilities at the Sakykrom National campsite of the Ghana Scout Association. The funds will be collected through barbeques to be organized at the Kandersteg Scout Centre throughout the summer. The Ghana Scout Association has embarked on renovations of their national campsite, and one of the most needed facilities is piped water, bathrooms and toilets.

Small Projects

The Africa regional office requested National Scout Associations to submit proposals for small projects to be considered for funding. So far four countries will be benefiting from this funding. These are Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Namibia. The Uganda Scouts will be running a project to train 40 Peer Educators in Abstinence and Being faithful among the Youth (ABY) in HIV prevention. This will run in 5 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Gulu District. They will also conduct a refresher workshop for 30 Scout trainers in Gulu with emphasis on Scout leaders in the IDP camps. Tanzanian Scouts are aiming at strengthening and sustaining the existing knowledge of Peace Education awareness among Scouts in Refugee Camps and raising the image and profile of Scouting to refugee members. The project from Namibia will educate the youth on the risks of climate change and the various actions and behaviours they can adopt to reduce the problems there. The project from the Kenya Scouts Association will be running an environmental conservation project that will include tree planting and environmental conservation campaigns, and will particularly specialise in growing herbal seedlings.

Final call for U-Fund Project Proposals

The Scout Universal Fund (U-Fund) has been dedicated to supporting Scout projects in the Africa Region since January 2003. The three project areas identified as priority areas to be funded are: HIV/AIDS, Peace Education and Reaching out to Children in Difficult Circumstances. The Africa Regional Office is making a final call for project proposals from member Scout Associations for the allotment of grants from the U-fund. The deadline for receiving proposals is 30th July 2006. The proposals will be subject to an approval process by a Review Team at the Regional Office. The projects should demonstrate Community involvement and the use of the Scout Method.

Liberia Scout Association gets land Mr. John Wright

A former Scout from Liberia presently living in the USA, donated 33 hectares of land to the Liberia Scout Association. The land is 80 km from Monrovia and is in a village called White Plains. For his donation, he asked that the place be named after his late father.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The Africa Scout Committee Meeting As per the Constitution, the Africa Scout Committee will hold their annual meeting for 2006 in Nairobi in the first weekend of September 2006. Wood badge Training Courses in South Africa Cub: 12/13th August and 9/10th September Scout 12/13th August and 9/10th September and 7/8th October GS/Com. 12/13th August and 9/10th September Closing Date for all three- 15th July 2006 Cost for the Cub training R220, Scout R275 and GS/Commissioner R200 Venue: Gilray in Grassy Park. 

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