FOR over 80 young girls from across the region, the past week has culminated into an unforgettable experience for the youths.

Held at the Badi’ah Hotel in the capital, nine girls under the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS) received awards for their outstanding participation in activities that were painstakingly organised by the country’s Girl Guide’s Association following four days of activities that began on September 2.

As their achievements were recog-nised in three different competitions, the girls were presented with their respective awards by Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, who was accompanied by President of the Brunei’s Girl Guides Association, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah as well as Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna.

Ambitioned as being a gathering to promote camaraderie and enhancing leadership skills, the competitions were among the Journey of Friendship and Peace initiatives as part of the association’s contribution to the International Day of Peace that is observed around the world every September 21.

In her welcoming remarks, the Association’s Chief Commissioner, Hajah Siti Hafsah binti Haji Abdul Halim, explained that the involvement of these young girls was part and parcel of supporting His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s vision to encourage the involvement of youth associations in international events and providing the girls with another platform for acquiring knowledge.

“We should encourage the work towards achieving greater participation amongst our young people through increasing awareness on the effectiveness of girl guiding and girl scouting as a form of non-formal education in strengthening their social, personal and physical development,” expressed the Chief Commissioner.

It was further explained that the association also reached out to “almost all WAGGGS” members in the Asia-Pacific region and the Arab region where many have applied but due to financial constraints, “They are unable to send participants.”

The competitions included an Al-Quran recital that was won by Brunei’s Siti Nurul Aqilah Haji Zaidin followed by runner-up and first runner-up Malaysia and the Philippines respectively; a bowling tournament that was won by Malaysia’s Nur Farizan binti Mohd Khaidir followed by Brunei and the Philippines and a ‘Pasang’ tournament that was won by Brunei’s Aida Nadhirah binti Zaki followed by Malaysia in second place and another Bruneian in third. - Borneo Bulletin (7 September 2013)