adminSenior Reporter
AFTER an eventful 2015,scouts movement in Mutare has set objectives for 2016 that include a concerted membership drive, with its chairman Mr Ernest Mungwari passionately imploring parents to urge their kids to join the movement.
Scouts are trained using non-academic, outdoor activities to help bring out the person inside each child.
The training is done occasionally during the various scouting stages namely, “cubing, scouting and rovering.”
Beyond these stages, the scout becomes the trainer, hence the old age “Once scouts will always a scout”
In his New Years’ message, the prominent Mutare businessman Mr Mungwari encouraged parents to urge their children to join the scouts association.
“My message is targeted to all boys and girls who are of school going age. I know the love and faith you have for your children and how much you want them to become responsible and successful adults.
“I have seen a lot of parents in today’s Zimbabwe regret this love after their children fail to make it in life and end up on the streets drinking beer, doing drugs, touting among all sorts of unwanted and embarrassing behaviour.
“This hurts me and I know it hurts you even more as parents who have put a lot of effort to groom your children.
“I write this message to you as chairperson of Manicaland Scouts Association, to invite you to encourage your children to join the scouts association.
The primary objective of scouting is to bring up a responsible person, who promises to serve God, his or her country, parents, the community and a very useful person to the community, based on the scout promise.
“I want to equally encourage the girls to join the Girl Guide movement if they so wish. The Girl Guide movement is our sister organisation and has similar objectives,” reads part of Mr Mungwari’s message.
The Mutare-based transport mogul said: “No child can be described as ignorant, every child has a unique talent, scouting therefore serves to help each child discover his or her talent and pursue it without fear.
“I also need to state clearly that scouting is not about raising funds from parents, and no child should fail to join due to financial problems. Each child may, however, be required to pay a nominal affiliation fee to demonstrate their commitment.
“I therefore want to promise you that in 2016 we are planning to work closely with the Ministry of Education, parents, teachers, churches and youth organisations to come up with programmes that are relevant to the development of a responsible child that is in touch with modern technological demands.
“I also need to share that we are now training a scout of the 21st century. We have set up a team of enthusiastic scout leaders most of whom are teachers, who are ready to help each child reach his or her full potential. A programme has been set up by our provincial commissioner, where a list of activities are lined up and well scheme training programme based on scouting syllabus.
“As chairman, I also need to assure all parents that your children are in safe hands with the scout, a lot of effort has been put to rid the organisation of dubious characters and charlatans who had other agendas when attending scout activities.
“We are currently developing the campsite in Bvumba to enable us to provide the best training and learning facilities for our scouts. A 1000- sitter hall is under construction and nearing completion at Chinziwa Scout Camp. My executive team is committed to make sure that the camp site meets world standards.
“Last year we managed to send one representative from the scout movement to Japan for the annual world jamboree and with your support more children will have a chance to be exposed to the world through taking part in scouting activities. So our motto in 2016 is, “2016 Mwana wese kumascouts” (every child should join the Scout Movement:
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