NAIROBI 22 February 2018- First Lady Margaret Kenyatta today joined members of the Kenya Girl Guides Association (KGGA) to celebrate the World Thinking Day observed in 150 countries across the world.
During the celebrations at the All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi, the First Lady saluted the KGGA as a bed-rock for women leaders and change-makers- women who have emerged top in various leadership roles across the country.
She said the KGGA had over the years inspired and motivated hundreds of women to dare, imagine and create a world of their dreams.
“We see young girls who have taken deliberate and bold actions to transform their lives. We see girls and women display an extraordinary culture of service to their immediate societies”, said the First Lady
Besides the leaders, said the First Lady, the KGGA had inspired notable role models and stars over the years.
She is the patron of the over 300,000 -member KGGA that brings together Rainbows ( aged 3-6), Brownies (6-9 years), Girl Guides (10-14 years), Rangers ( 14-18 years), Young Leaders ( 18-30 years), adult leaders ( 30-35) and Trefoil Guild aged over 35 years.
The Association now targets one million new members this year through an awareness and training campaign included in its new and robust strategic Plan (2018-2027) that the First Lady also launched during today’s celebrations.
The First Lady applauded the KGGA for standing and holding firm to the virtues of dignity, integrity, service, leadership and patriotism over the many decades of its existence
She said the principles of character building learnt through the Girl Guides Movement were valuable gems to be treasures by KGGA members for the rest of their lives
“The values and principles that founded the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts many decades ago, are the glue that holds together this powerful constituency of girls and women – as sisters, friends, confidants and comrades”, said the First Lady.
The World Thinking Day, celebrated by over 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Movement across the world is described as a day of international friendship.
The KGGA is a member organization of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). KGGA is one of the oldest Youth Associations which has been active in Kenya since 1920.
The KGGA was founded by Lady Olave Powell who was buried in Nyeri alongside her husband, Lord Baden Powel, the founder of the Scouting Movement worldwide.
As part of that friendship, the Kenyan celebrations were attended by youth from Nepal, Tanzania, Burundi and Madagascar in an arrangement known as the Youth Exchange South-to-South (YESS) program.
Besides the youthful members, the First Lady was hosted to the celebrations by KGGA National Chairlady Prof. Faith Nguru, Chief Commissioner Mrs Jennifer Karina and the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mrs Honorine Kiplagat among other senior members of the association.
Newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, Professor Margaret Kobia also attended the celebrations.
The First Lady acknowledged the key role played by partners, supporters and volunteers who have worked tirelessly, passionately and dedication to ensure the KGGA continues to reach and empower millions of girls and adolescents.
The First Lady said she will continue to support the movement as its patron to ensure its target to enlist one million new members is reached.
-PSCU