Maldives

Promise:

Girl Guide Promise / Service Guide Promise

I promise on my honour that I will do my best:
To do my duty, to Allah and country,
To help other people at all times, and
To obey the (Service) Guide Law.

Little Maid Promise

I promise to do my best:
To do my duty to Allah, and country,
To help other people every day,
especially those at home.

Star Promise

I promise to share and be a friend.

Law:

Girl Guide Law

1 A Guide’s honour is to be trusted.

2 A Guide is loyal.

3 A Guide’s duty is to be useful and to help others.

4 A Guide is a friend to all and a sister to every other Guide.

5 A Guide is courteous.

6 A Guide is a friend to animals and respects all living things.

7 A Guide obeys orders.

8 A Guide sings and smiles under all difficulties.

9 A Guide is thrifty.

10 A Guide is pure in thought word and deed.

Service Guide Law

1 Loyal and trustworthy
2 Helpful
3 Polite and considerate
4 Friendship
5 Kindness to living things
6 Obedience
7 Courage and cheerfulness
8 Care of possessions
9 Diligence
10 Self discipline and control

Little Maid Law

A Little Maid gives in to older folk.
A Little Maid does not give in to herself.

Motto:

Girl Guide Motto - Be Prepared

Little Maid Motto - Lend a Hand

Age groups:

Service Guide 17-25

Guide 12-16+

Little Maid (Brownie) 7-12

Stars 5-6

Development of the movement:

The Guide Movement was introduced to the Maldives in 1962. It was initiated by the Principal of Aminiya School, who was the first Sri Lanka Chief Commissioner in the Sri Lankan Girl Guide Association. The first Guide company was started in Aminiya School, and Guide leaders were from the Maldives, India, Sri Lanka and the UK. The UK programme was followed and the language used was English. Early in 1967, six Guides participated in the Golden Jubilee Camp in Colombo organized by the Sri Lankan Girl Guide Association, but at the time there was no formal structure to the organization.

Guiding was revived when the Under Secretary, Education, and Commissioner of the Association, took over and organized the Movement in 1984. A full-time Commissioner for Training was appointed. The Association was registered, and the Executive Committee formed. In 1984, Guiding was introduced into private schools and there were camps and leadership training on the islands.

The Junior Branch of the Brownies (now Little Maids) was started in 1986. The first Senior Guide Company, the Rangers (now Service Guides) started at the Youth Centre in 1987. In the same year, Leadership training began for the Teacher trainees at the Institute for Teacher Trainees (now Faculty of Education). This programme still continues. The Star programme for five and six year olds started in May 2000.

The National Headquarters of The Maldives Girl Guide Association is housed at the Ministry of Education.

Programme:

Guiding currently takes place in 58 schools with many more interested in joining the Movement.

Packs/companies are organized in schools, and there are two Open Service Guide Companies attached to the Association. The Association aims to promote Guiding to a larger audience; however, there are difficulties with the time constraints on Guide Leaders and trainers who are all young and work in the government or private sector. Also, transportation between the islands, by sea or air, is very expensive.

The branch programme were reviewed at the end of 2000 and 2001 and new handbooks are available. The main goals are:

1 To provide a programme with a range of activities and interesting hobbies which are enjoyable and educational.

2 To develop individual character based on the values expressed in the Promise and Law.

3 To develop relationships and learn to participate in community activities.

Relationship to society:

Service Guides, whose special responsibility is to render service by taking the Promise into a wider world, and Guide companies are involved in Service Projects of all kinds, such as First Aid during national events, visiting local hospitals, cleaning, tree plantation, and even helping out at GO/NGO events by doing odd jobs.

World Thinking Day, World Environment Day and International Women’s Day are marked every year.

Communication and Co-operation

The image of Girl Guiding is very positive in The Maldives. The general public and parents appreciates the general elements of Guiding such as world friendship, respect for self and others. They are aware that Guiding brings together girls and women of different faiths, nationalities and cultures. Above all, they see it as a Movement for the development of character, responsible citizenship and fun.

The National Government through the Ministry of Education helps the Association to carry out its programme. Government officials encourage the Association by accepting invitations to be the Chief Guest at Guide functions and the current Guide President received her award from The President of the Maldives at a special ceremony held at the Office of the President.

Members of the Guide Movement are active nationally and internationally. Leaders have participated in programmes held in Sangam and in other countries. An annual activity calendar is compiled every year, and members follow this programme. The Association publishes a monthly leaflet giving all Guiders up-to-date news and new ideas from around the world.

Training:

The Training Programme was revised in 2000, and the scheme is accredited by WAGGGS. There is a Training Team and trainings are held annually. Training team members have been trained locally and abroad.

Outdoor and Environmental Activities

Every year, pack holidays and camps are held. Children visit nearby islands to carry out proficiency badge requirement tests. An Environment Action Plan has been introduced for all branches, and those who complete the required number of clauses get the ‘I care’ badge. The Association also takes part in clean-up activities initiated by Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations.

Projects

• Maldives Girl Guides In Need of Building and Funding Support
• 225 Training of Leaders and Trainers
• 204 Littlemaid Branch Handbook
• Happy Times
• 181 Revision of Handbooks