Assisi Service Unit’s Thinking Day event in March was sponsored by a fifth grade troop from St. John’s. Approximately 50 girls in grades K-8 attended. Girls made ditty bags and blankets for the earthquake victims in Haiti and heard from speaker Margie Hake, who had done a “missionary trip” in South Dakota on a Native American Reservation. She showed slides and talked about the many sides of poverty.
On February 19, Fairmont Troop 30213 helped celebrate World Thinking Day with 145 Girl Scouts in their service unit. For their Bronze Award, as Girl Scout Juniors, they hosted a Thinking Day celebration and taught their peers about their sister Girl Guides in Swaziland, Africa, by performing a skit showing the differences between rural and urban life in the country.
.
They taught the girls about the customs of the Girl Guides in Swaziland. Then the Girl Scouts traveled through various stations so they could learn about the SiSwati language, foods, and crafts.
.
To give back to the country they had learned so much about, they asked the girls who attended to help them raise a mile of pennies. In the end, they raised just about 1/3 of a mile of pennies and were able to donate $250 for the Girl Guides of Swaziland.
.
Shown in photo: Emma, Jewel, Jaiden, Alacha, Emma, Courtney, and Alexis.
From Girl Scouts of the USA:
.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Haitians, friends, and families, as they begin the process of managing the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake of January 12. We have received numerous calls from Girl Scouts around the country asking how to help.
.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the National Board suspended the policy that prohibits Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations. We are working with the Executive Committee of the board to suspend this policy once again. We will keep you informed of any action. In the meantime, all Girl Scouts councils should work though their local community groups to assist in relief efforts.
.
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) has issued a list of organizations that are accepting donations for relief efforts. I have included the list below. WAGGGS is also reminding all Girl Scouts that the theme of World Thinking Day this year is “ending extreme poverty and hunger.” The tragic events in Haiti can clearly serve as a way to educate our girls about the issues of extreme poverty and hunger throughout the world.
.
It is at times like these that Girl Scouts throughout the world come together in sisterhood and to take action to help those in need. We have seen our Movement rally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters over the years, and I know that all of us in Girl Scouting will do everything we can to help Haiti and its people in the weeks and months ahead.
.
Below is list of ways to help:
.
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its International Response Fund..
Pan American Development Foundation
The foundation is encouraging people to donate through its website at www.PanAmericanRelief.org..
UNICEF
UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF..
Oxfam
You can donate to online at Oxfam America at www.oxfamamerica.org..
Save The Children
Save the Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Donate to Save the Children..
Mercy Corps
Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to:
Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund
Dept NR
PO Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders has set up clinics to treat people in Haiti. Donate to Doctors Without Borders..
The UN World Food Programme
The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donations can be made through www.wfp.org/donate/haiti..
CARE
CARE is deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince to assist in recovery efforts. It’s focusing its efforts on rescuing children who may still be trapped in schools that collapsed. Donate to CARE..
The International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee is deploying an emergency response team to Haiti. Donate to the IRC Haiti Crisis Fund..
World Vision
World Vision has more 370 staff members in the Haiti. Donate to World Vision..
United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
This fund is used for emergencies like the earthquake in Haiti. Donate online.
On February 21, Westonka/Orono Girl Scouts held a World Thinking Day event. The girls had fun as each troop represented a country. The girls dressed in the clothing of the country they chose and brought along food items to share, as well as stories of games, lifestyle, and living conditions in their country.
There was a speaker from Doctors Without Borders, who spoke with the girls about their work to treat and prevent illness in underpriviledged, foreign countries.
