Nanaimo Arbutus District
Leaders are always welcome in our district, which covers South Nanaimo, Chase River, and Cedar.
When girls are empowered, they are unstoppable!
To find out more information, please email Jamie at jlawlor8@telus.net
Nanaimo Arbutus District collects donations for Haven Society
On February 12, 126 Girl Guides in the Nanaimo Arbutus District celebrated their 12th annual Snowflake Ball. The girls ages 5 – 17 along with their leaders arrived at the Moose Hall dolled up in their finest dresses, tiaras, and bling to dance the afternoon away. The Rangers (15-17-year-old Girl Guides) took the lead in hosting the event. They were responsible for the music selection, the decorations, the snacks, and leading the craft station.
This event is not only an opportunity for all the girls and leaders to interact and come together as a district, it is also a chance for the girls to collect donations for a local community organization. Donations were collected to benefit the kids who access Haven Society’s programs and services in times of need. This year’s event collected an estimated $500 worth of diapers, baby food, toys, and clothing to help the kids at Haven Society. Angela West-Roots, Haven Society Board member, commented, “Donations like baby formula, food, and diapers, etc., are very much-needed items and we are always grateful when the community remembers the little ones in need.”
Photo by Kapri MacDonald
Rachel Maria is now a 1st year Ranger. She is just one example of our Girl Guides accepting opportunites and becoming empowered. We are very proud to support her in journey.
In November, I was fortunate enough to be sponsored by Girl Guides to take part at the Global Issues Symposium For Youth in Port Moody that is put on by the Canadian Red Cross.
I really didn't know what to expect before I went. How many kids were there? What kind of activities are we going to do? Will I make friends? Will my ride show up?! Luckily, all of the above were answered (thanks for the ride Tara!). When I first arrived there, there were about six other kids, all from different parts of BC. I was so nervous, I didn't know anyone there! There were twelve Resource Leaders there who put together the program for the weekend and they were incredibly helpful at making us comfortable and getting to know everyone else.
Throughout the weekend I did different workshops pretaining to different topics such HIV/AIDS, food security, landmines and clusterbombs, international humanitarian law and refugees (incredible guest speakers!). In between all of these workshops, there were games and time to ask questions as well as reflect on what we had just learned. All in all, it was a life-changing experience for me.
It reinforced my beliefs that there are amazing youth out there who are ready to make a change in the world and it helped me find a clearer path to what I'd like to do with my life. In Nelson Mandela's inauguration speech, he quoted Marianna Williamson, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." That entire weekend inspired me like nothing else.
In February, the Canadian Red Cross is holding a follow-up event called Humanity Strikes Back which I am hoping to attend! Many thanks to Girl Guides for giving me this opportunity!
Rachel Maria