Clubwise - February 9, 2002

Every week, we bring you the latest on the UAE's clubs, associations and groups. We choose one each time and profile it, highlighting its purpose and activities. We also bring you bits of news from other such groups. So that you know what is happening when, where and why. This week: The British Guides Association

The British Guides Association in Dubai is run by volunteers from the British community. It began 30 years ago when a few mothers got together to help their children.

Today, there are three separate districts of the Guide Association - the Sharjah district, the Dubai district and the Jumeira-Jebel Ali district - for groups of Girl Guides belonging to different age groups.

The British Guides is a worldwide organisation with its headquarters in England. The Guides has its beginning in 1910. The British Scouts, which was established first, became very popular. Then the British Guides for girls came into existence.

Handbooks are printed and used for reference by the guides, who all wear the same uniform. Children of all nationalities are accepted into the group.

The Jumeirah-Jebel Ali unit meets at the Jumeirah English Speaking School in the afternoon. Each unit has different timings and they meet once a week for two hours in the school.

The Rainbow unit, for the smallest girls, is made up of a maximum of 15 girls. The age group for this unit is five to seven years. The Brownie unit is for children between seven and 10 years and can have upto 24 girls.

The Guide unit, with a maximum of 36 girls in each unit, is from 10 to 14 years, followed by the Senior section for girls between the age group of 14 to 26 years.

"We work in small groups to give the girls a sense of identity and belonging. It enables them to learn about team work, helps them share experiences, take responsibility, develop good personal relationship and leadership qualities," says Mary Dunn, district commissioner of the Dubai unit. "It takes six to eight weeks before they take their promise. It is an oath which each girl abides by and is guided to follow."

"I will do my best and love God and be kind and helpful" is the promise for the Rainbow group. It is made simple for this group of smaller children. A Brownie guide thinks of others before herself and tries to help someone everyday.

"To lend a hand" is the motto of the Brownie guide. "There is so much competition among students in schools now. There is also stress for children.

Coming to the Rainbows and Brownies, they are encouraged to think about others before themselves. We also see that they have lots of fun," says Jane Henderson, district commissioner for the Jumeirah-Jebel Ali region.

"For the Guides group, we do something different now-a-days. More emphasis is given to allow them to make their own decisions. There is more active participation from the girls in running their own group," she added.

The Guides' promise is the same as the Brownies, but they keep the Guide Law. She should be honest, reliable and trustworthy. She should be helpful and be true to herself and use her abilities wisely.

A Guide is a good friend, polite and considerate. A Guide learns to face challenges and take care of the world around her.

The senior section reaffirms the Guides promise and further responsibility to be of service to the community.