By Sonia K
The Royal Patron of the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam yesterday called on the association to chart out programmes of quality and better activities to push the association to greater heights.
Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pg Anak Hjh Saleha delivered a titah as the Girl Guides Day 2007 was celebrated yesterday in conjunction with Her Majesty's birthday.
Her Majesty, who attended the ceremony at Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, was accompanied by Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bulqiah.
Since 1984, the celebration of Guides Day has been organised as one of the annual events for the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam.
Her Majesty, in her titah, highlighted on an assessment carried out by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts on behalf of the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam this year.
"The assessment has given a positive report that will help Girl Guides Association members to improve on the association's weaknesses and further strengthen its administration," Her Majesty said.
The Royal Patron said that actions taken to further improve the level of management and administration of the association need to be continuously carried out and quality programmes and activities should be prepared, especially for members in the association made up of youth and kids.
"I also understand that the management of the association's committee has prepared the Action Plan 2008-2009 and will soon publish the Handbook Tunas Puteri (Girl Guides Handbook)," said Her Majesty.
Her Majesty hoped that members of the association would continue to contribute to succeed in the work and efforts of the association, which has played an important role in youth development in the country.
The ceremony started with the reading of surah al-Fatihah and doa selamat followed by an oath taking headed by Norliham binti Haji Tuah and the singing of the World Girl Guide Song and Asia Pacific Region Song.
A welcoming speech was then made by Hajah Siti Hafsah binti Haji Abdul Halim, the Head Commissioner of the Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association. She stated that among the Girl Guides Association Adult members, this year seven members will receive the Golden Long Service Badge, for having served for 20 years. Four members who have served for 15 years and another six who have served for 10 years will receive the silver and bronze badges respectively.
Her Majesty later presented the badges to the 17 recipients.
Throughout the celebration, various performances were showcased, one of which was a 'Guides Action Song' performed by young guides from Rimba II Primary School, Kampong Mata-Mata Primary School and Tungku Primary School.
Girl guide teams from Maktab Sains, Sayyidina Hassan Secondary School and Sayyidina Hussien Secondary School then performed a march.
Towards the end of the celebration, Her Majesty consented to cut a birthday cake while the guides sang a birthday song.
Every member of the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam had looked forward to the celebration, as activities incorporated were different than that of previous years.
This year, the main attraction was the Action Guide Song Competition and all activities were in line with the national programme for both the brownies and girl guides.
- Borneo Bulletin
(12th Nov 2007)
