Shaping Tomorrow’s Youth Today
Dr. Goolam Peerbux, 62, President of Baden Powell Scouts Association, says: “Even today parents and children themselves are highly interested to integrate the scouts’ movement which is a school of life where the children’s future is shaped for the best.
We teach children, teenagers and young adults how to live in peace and harmony in our multiracial society. We teach them respect, love for one another, and that service to man is service to God. In short, we give the scouts character training to enable them to become good citizens.”
Baden Powell Scouts Association, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012, has around 2,000 members in its 50 branches around the island, including one in Rodrigues, and recruits the young aged between 8 and 20.
The scout movement was introduced by Edward de Burgh in Mauritius in 1912. Since then the vision and ideals of Baden Powell Scouts Association has stood the test of time. Today the organization can boast of being one of the best and “most popular schools in the world with the same syllabus” being used across the globe.
Given the educational needs of the Mauritian society, Baden Powell Scouts Association has also started giving courses in “madrassah” and “baitka” (evening oriental languages, specially Urdu/Arabic and Hindi schools) so as to complement the child’s learning by developing their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential while performing community and religious services at the same time.
There are even certain religious organizations like the Muslim Youth Federation, Brahma Kumaris, and the Human Service Trust which collaborate with the scout movement to help provide the necessary infrastructure for the courses.
Currently there are around 200 highly qualified leaders who have been trained to teach values, ethics, principles, good governance and leadership skills so that the scouts may lead a decent lifestyle which is also eco-friendly both as a respect and protection for the social and natural environment. First aid courses are also provided to every scout so that a safety net is available in almost all houses.
Scouts are usually recognized by their uniforms. Besides participating in outdoor activities, Boy scouts and Girl guides also play an active part in society. Baden Powell Scouts Association works in close collaboration with the Government and different NGOs such as the Crime Prevention Unit, the Anti-Drug Smuggling Unit, La Brigade des Mineurs, the Government Fire Services, EDYCS Epilepsy Group, the National Coast Guard, the National Aids Secretariat, and the Mauritius Family Planning and Welfare Association for accident prevention campaigns, awareness campaigns, seminars and other sensitization workshops against scourges such as cigarettes, drugs and Aids.
Boy scouts and girl guides are called upon to be the guardians of society. They are a role model to their friends and are always present to encourage and motivate others to abide by the principles of a scout even if they are not one.
Students who participate in social work and activities are more autonomous since they have acquired a culture of discipline and are ready to do their own work while helping others at the same time. They are also armed at an early stage against the ills of the society. Thus being a scout is not an option but a must for children in every home, says Peerbux.
Irfaan Oozeerally, a young scout of 11, says: “Being a scout is another spirit. I am always willing to help my parents and siblings and also others in school and in the society above all.
My friends are amazed at the different skills I have learnt so far, and I can say that I am proud to be a scout. I believe in fostering relationships, and thriving on the principle of selflessness like caring for others and sharing with them whatever I have.
I have also developed the sense of adventure and I am always curious to discover nature in all its angles. I have learned a lot by participating in charity collection for the poor, in lunches organized for the elderly and also in blood collections though I have not personally given blood due to my young age.”
The young boy who will soon join secondary school said it was his parents who first noticed a significant change in him since he enrolled in Baden Powell Scouts Association two years ago. According to his parents, Irfaan does much more than a kid of 11 can do and act in a more responsible way towards his twin younger sisters who are toddlers.
Irfaan himself says: “I myself feel more mature than my peers. Moreover, I have also learned that being a scout shields one from falling into the trap of delinquency. Hence, I am very happy to form part of such a prestigious school and I know that I will uphold all the values that I have learnt for life and in turn inculcate it in my sisters who I would like to see as guides when they reach the required age.”
Source: Defimedia
Popularity: 1% [?]
Category: Inspiration