Little Friends
Little Friends of 5th Colombo had an exciting and eventful 2023!
The year began with Little Friends signing up for The World Thinking Day Activities - “Our World, Our Peaceful Future”
Little Friends discussed an environmental issue that they were most concerned about, and what they most wanted to change. They took action to make a positive change by cleaning up the Dehiwala beach (along with the Girl Guides and Rangers), guided by The Pearl Protectors a volunteer platform which promotes protecting marine environments and coastlines.
“Fight Hunger with a Coin in a Jar”commenced to heighten awareness about food scarcity and hunger.
Term 1 ended with New Year Celebrations where kids dressed in their ‘Redda and Hatta’ and took part in traditional Avurudu games.
20 of our Little Friends were among the 1500 Little Friends from all over the country who participated in “Revels 2023“ held on 17th June at the Viharamahadevi Park.
The objective of this event was to build and develop leadership skills. They took part in many challenges designed to improve essential skills to become better leaders.
Funds collected for the “Fight Hunger with A Coin in a Jar.”, were used to provide dinner for 80 Little Friends and Leaders and Parents accompanying them for Revels 2023.
The much-awaited Pack Holiday was held at Meth Arana, Athurugiriya on the 4th, 5th and 6th of August. 29 enrolled Little Friends participated. All activities were organised around the Theme “Forever Friends”.
2 Leadership workshops for Leaders and Potential Leaders were held by Pack B
Girl Guides
At the beginning of the year, three guides named Imeshi, Hiranya and tanushri were selected to attend the 18th international Jamboree organised by the Bharath scouts and Guides in India which was conducted from the 4th of January to the 10th of January 2023.
This year's National Jamboree was conducted under the theme, "Progress with Peace" where approximately 35,000 Scouts, Guides and Adult Leaders of the organisation from different corners of the world, gathered together to participate in the international Jamboree held once in 4 years.
On the 24th of February two guides, Joanna and Minna were selected to represent WAGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) at the global Adolescent Girls Leadership Town Hall in line with the United Nations 67th commission on the status of women.
The event was held virtually and touched on various topics involving gender and the digital age. The event was held with the attendance of high-level dignitaries from member states, United Nations Agencies, private sectors and youth and adolescents.
On the 28th of February, the Guides celebrated World Thinking Day with the Rangers and Little Friends. To celebrate this day, they had a series of games under this year's thinking day topic "Our Planet, Our Peaceful Future" in the school back garden. After the eventful games thinking day ended with a campfire where all 3 groups sang in unity.
On the 1st of March, the Girl Guides had a food sale under the theme of cuisines around the world in order to raise funds for future activities.
On the 4th of June the Guides participated in a walk to raise awareness on Cancer (Walk for Gold) organized by the Suwa Arana, commencing at Independence Square and walking approximately 2.5km each participant walked in the mind of raising awareness on Cancer.
On the 2nd of July, two Guides Hiranya and Kshamara took part in the Bishops College invitational campfire. On the 5th of July, the Girl Guides once again kept true to their fundamental practices and assisted the sports teachers at the annual school swimming meet.
The Patrol Leaders of Guides had a leadership program from the 9th to the 10th of September, at Kithusevana, to appoint new Patrol Leaders. The program was focused on fostering leadership and skills, through games and activities. Two former 5th Colombo Guides Sahani and Romasha attended the program as well, to share their own experiences as Patrol Leaders.
Rangers
The Rangers started the year with the Annual Sports Meet by participating in the Guard of Honour, to welcome the chief guest and helping out with flags and various other activities.
In celebrating World Thinking Day 2023, along with the Little Friends and Guides of 5th Colombo, the 5th Colombo Rangers conducted a beach clean-up on the 3rd of March.
The beach clean-up was organized in collaboration with the well-known youth-led marine conservation, The Pearl Protectors. The area chosen for this purpose was the Dehiwala beach. The participants of this event successfully collected and removed 64 kilograms of garbage from the seashore!
On the 13th of May, some of the 5th Colombo Rangers attended a lecture on climate change delivered by Dr Ravi Fernando at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour. The participants gained valuable information on this topic and ways in which they could contribute positively to reduce its progression.
On the 7th of June, the 5th Colombo Rangers took part in an event organized by the Indian military forces named “India Expo Seminar” that was held at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo. They gained much information on the Indian Armed Forces. They were also afforded the opportunity to see the weapons used, and 3-D models of ships that were displayed and learn how they are used in combat.
Some 5th Colombo Rangers participated in the Campfire organized by the 7th Colombo Guide Company of Bishop's College, Colombo 3, on the 2nd of July.
Some of the Rangers also participated in the leadership programme organized by the 5th Colombo Guides on the 10th of September 2023. Those who attended the programme were able to improve their leadership skills.
A few of the Rangers helped at the “I Do It My Way” concert organized by the Differently Abled Branch of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association, on the 8th of October 2023, where participants gathered to showcase their talents from around the island.
The Rangers also participated in a few competitions organized by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA).
