The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

THE Bahamas Girl Guides Association is calling on former members to help build a new headquarters to commemorate the association’s centenary.

Anita Bernard, President of the BGGA, this week highlighted the need for continued support from members who have passed through the programme at some point, to assist the non-profit organisation as it continues its history of “influencing lives”.

Mrs Bernard described the BGGA as an organisation that is “dedicated to the development of young women”. She said: “Guiding is designed to build up the character of young girls, we try to holistically affect the lives of these girls and provide them with a moral compass to guide them throughout their lives.”

The association also unveiled plans for the organisation’s centennial celebration on Wednesday under the theme “100 years of influencing lives”.

It is estimated that in that time nearly 100,000 girls have benefited from the BGGA, which oversees all Sunflower, Brownies, Guides and Ranger chapters throughout The Bahamas.

Elma Garraway, assistant chief commissioner of the BGGA, expressed the importance of the new building to the survival of the organisation. “We started with fewer than 20 participants and we are still operating in the same small space,” she said. “The organsation has grown tremendously throughout the years.”

She added that while the association has raised $500,000 so far it is still a long way from where they need to be. “We still need another $700,000 to aid in the realisation of our new home,” she said.

The BGGA plans to build a new headquarters on a portion of its current West Bay Street site by 2015. The new facility will include meeting rooms, office spaces, training areas, accommodations for girl guides visiting from other countries and other essential working areas.

Chairman of the association’s centennial committee, Julia Burnside, also presented the BGGA’s plans for the build-up to what the group hopes is the opening of its new headquarters. The year of celebration will commence with a grand rally at Government House on October 18 and a Christmas carol event in Rawson Square on December 7.

“Anyone that has benefited or been a part of this great organisation, this is your chance to help us do what we do best, craft young girls into great women,” Mrs Bernard said, inviting support from the public. “Whatever you can do, however big or small, it can help.”