Speaking to journalists at the Girls Guide headquarters, Kioko said she has been able to visit the Soma and Brikama skills centres. “I have found that they are doing a lot for girls and young women in The Gambia. They are very active. The Gambia Girl Guides is one member of the Africa region and I have come to visit to see how they are doing, and how the guiding programmes in The Gambia are going. I am here, also, to find out if they are facing any challenges and see their successes,” she said.
Her association is the largest voluntary movement in the world of young women and girls with about ten million members in 145 countries around the world. “Our mission is to enable girls and young women reach their fullest potentials, and for their voices to be heard and valued in their communities… as well as speak out against issues affecting them,” said Ms Kioko.
On her plans for The Gambia, she said: “Currently what the Africa region is doing is to help those countries which require specific support, The Gambia for example. Having visited now, I realise that they need support in their fund development strategy. They are very good in their membership strategy which they can help other countries around them with. They are doing quite well in the schools. As I round up my trip, I look towards areas that we can support them.”
The chief guides commissioner for The Gambia, Yamundow Jagne-Jobe, said: “As part of the objectives of her visit, she will be able to identify and understand our constraints and challenges to help us establish appropriate solutions in our strive to enable girls and young women develop their fullest potentials as responsible citizens of the world.”
She told journalists that guiding has been decentralised in The Gambia, noting that the visit of her boss will further strengthen the
strong partnership that exists between the World Association and the Gambia Girls Guide Association.
Author: Sainey Marenah
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