The Scout Association of Malawi
Encyclopedia
Established in 1931, the Scout Association of Malaŵi (SAM) was disallowed between 1964 and 1996. Scouting
in Malaŵi
shares history with Zimbabwe
and Zambia
, with which it was linked for decades. The 4,000 member Scout Association of Malaŵi was reorganized in 1996 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
in September 2005.
in Ermelunden, Denmark
.
The great popularity of the Boy Scout movement was due to its outdoor program such as hiking, camping, cooking and pioneering, which was unusual in the protectorate. Additionally, the training and progressive badge system was targeted towards helping others, leading to responsible citizenship.
Because of the prevailing circumstances earlier in the 20th century, a separate movement was established for black Africans called "Pathfinders". By the 1950s the time was considered to merge both movements into one Scout Association. Since independence, as a Commonwealth
member, Scouting in Malaŵi continued under The Scout Association
, though it had the option to register directly with the World Scout Bureau. Scouting was banned during the reign of President Hastings Kamuzu Banda since the 1970s, despite the country's longstanding relationship with British Scouting, replaced by a youth movement called Malaŵi Youth Pioneers
. Scouting was re-introduced in 2001, after Malaŵi moved from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy in 1994.
and the North Yorkshire Scout County recently established contact with Malaŵi, and the expedition Sunrise Malaŵi 2007 builds upon these new relationships.
On July 6, 2003 Scouts from Northern Ireland
visited Malaŵi, where they donated Scout items to the First Ekwendi Scout group in Mzuzu
, Malaŵi. Northern Ireland Cub Scout
Leader Margaret Qua made the presentation, which was received by the Chairman of the Malaŵi Scout Association, Ahabu Kafansiyanji.
Making the presentation, Margaret said, "We are pleased to be associated with Scouting in Malaŵi, and promise to assist whenever we can in a brotherhood manner as we respect the Scout Law
." She said that she was impressed with how Scouting in Malaŵi is growing and encouraged the leadership to work hard and reach out to more young people in Malaŵi.
Kafansiyanji said the donation would go a long way to assist the local association, especially in view of the challenges facing young people in the areas of education, health, environment and youth involvement in decision making.
The African Regional
Office gave the necessary support to ensure that Malaŵi qualified for recognition by the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
Since reforming, the Scout Association of Malaŵi has managed to rescue over 30 street children
, and has sent them to various college
s around the country. The number of children who have benefited from the Scout Association of Malaŵi is around 1,000 across the country.
The United Kingdom Africa Scout Fellowship launched an initiative to take British Scouts
to Malaŵi in July 2007. The expedition to Malaŵi was designed to run in parallel with the World Jamboree, and took its title from the proposed Sunrise Ceremony. The objective of this expedition was to spend five weeks in Malaŵi, working alongside the Scout Association of Malaŵi, which culminated in the inauguration of their national campsite. The region also has strong links with Scandinavia
, and it was hoped that Swedish and Norwegian Scouts would join the UK expedition party, however this was not possible.
Malaŵi hosted events on July 4, 2007 to mark celebrations of the Scouting 2007 Centenary
, as 21 Scouts from the United Kingdom arrived to assist the Scout Association of Malaŵi.
Speaking on arrival at Kamuzu International Airport, the chairman of the UK-Africa Scout Fellowship, George Devine said part of the work they would do would be to kick-start rehabilitation of the Scout Association of Malaŵi centre at Songani in Zomba, where the centenary celebrations were held. He said that as part of the celebrations, the centre, which was still owned by the British Scout Association
, would be formally handed over to the Scout Association of Malaŵi, as it has been rehabilitated to world Scout standards.
Another group of about 22 UK Scouts also came to Malaŵi in July 2007 for the centenary celebrations, and they also met President
Bingu wa Mutharika
, who is the patron
of the Scout Association of Malaŵi.
Scout Association of Malaŵi Executive Director
Steve Kanene said that when the rehabilitation work is finished, the centre will be able to accommodate 150 people, from its current capacity of 10. "There is also going to be a maize
mill and grocery store
for the community
surrounding the centre and we want to extend water pipe
s to the community because there is usually a problem of water in the area every year," Kanene said.
The Scout Association of Malaŵi raised about two million Malawian kwacha
to prepare for the celebrations, and the upgrading work at Songani will cost 35 million kwacha, which will be footed by the UK Scout Association.
Malaŵi sent a contingent to the 21st World Scout Jamboree
in Essex
.
mill described by Steve Kanene in 2007, and the rest will be going to further development projects on site. A team of 37 young people, aged 14-19, and 13 adult leaders have been gathered from across Scotland to aid in this work.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
in Malaŵi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
shares history with Zimbabwe
The Boy Scouts Association of Zimbabwe
The Boy Scouts Association of Zimbabwe is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Scouting in Zimbabwe shares history with Malaŵi and Zambia, with which it was linked for decades.-Birthplace of Scouting:...
and Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
, with which it was linked for decades. The 4,000 member Scout Association of Malaŵi was reorganized in 1996 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
in September 2005.
History of Scouting in Malaŵi
Scouting in the former Rhodesia and Nyasaland started in 1909 during the British colonial era, when the first Boy Scout troop was registered. Scouting grew quickly and in 1924 Rhodesia and Nyasaland sent a large contingent to the second World Scout JamboreeWorld Scout Jamboree
The World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17....
in Ermelunden, Denmark
Ermelunden, Denmark
Ermelunden is a small forest in Gentofte, Denmark. It is adjacent to the larger Jægersborg Dyrehave.In 1924 it was the site of the 2nd World Scout Jamboree, which brought together 4,549 Scouts and Guides from all over the world....
.
The great popularity of the Boy Scout movement was due to its outdoor program such as hiking, camping, cooking and pioneering, which was unusual in the protectorate. Additionally, the training and progressive badge system was targeted towards helping others, leading to responsible citizenship.
Because of the prevailing circumstances earlier in the 20th century, a separate movement was established for black Africans called "Pathfinders". By the 1950s the time was considered to merge both movements into one Scout Association. Since independence, as a Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
member, Scouting in Malaŵi continued under The Scout Association
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
, though it had the option to register directly with the World Scout Bureau. Scouting was banned during the reign of President Hastings Kamuzu Banda since the 1970s, despite the country's longstanding relationship with British Scouting, replaced by a youth movement called Malaŵi Youth Pioneers
Pioneer movement
A pioneer movement is an organization for children operated by a communist party. Typically children enter into the organization in elementary school and continue until adolescence. The adolescents then typically joined the Young Communist League...
. Scouting was re-introduced in 2001, after Malaŵi moved from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy in 1994.
Malaŵi's fresh start
The Malaŵi Scout Association was officially relaunched in 2001, and its members are now building upon their newfound freedom of expression. Representatives from the Scout Association of Northern IrelandScout Association of Northern Ireland
Scouting in Northern Ireland is represented by three Scouting associations. The Scout Association of Northern Ireland is part of the Scout Association of the United Kingdom, which is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognized Scouting association in the United Kingdom...
and the North Yorkshire Scout County recently established contact with Malaŵi, and the expedition Sunrise Malaŵi 2007 builds upon these new relationships.
On July 6, 2003 Scouts from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
visited Malaŵi, where they donated Scout items to the First Ekwendi Scout group in Mzuzu
Mzuzu
Mzuzu is the capital of Malawi's Northern Region and is the third largest city, by population, in Malawi. The City has 128,432 residents plus 20,000 commuters with about 1.7 million people living around the outskirts of the city...
, Malaŵi. Northern Ireland Cub Scout
Cub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
Leader Margaret Qua made the presentation, which was received by the Chairman of the Malaŵi Scout Association, Ahabu Kafansiyanji.
Making the presentation, Margaret said, "We are pleased to be associated with Scouting in Malaŵi, and promise to assist whenever we can in a brotherhood manner as we respect the Scout Law
Scout Law
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law...
." She said that she was impressed with how Scouting in Malaŵi is growing and encouraged the leadership to work hard and reach out to more young people in Malaŵi.
Kafansiyanji said the donation would go a long way to assist the local association, especially in view of the challenges facing young people in the areas of education, health, environment and youth involvement in decision making.
The African Regional
WOSM-Africa Region
The Africa Scout Region is the divisional office of the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with satellite offices in Cape Town, South Africa, and Dakar, Senegal...
Office gave the necessary support to ensure that Malaŵi qualified for recognition by the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
Since reforming, the Scout Association of Malaŵi has managed to rescue over 30 street children
Street children
A street child is a child who lives on the streets of a city, deprived of family care and protection. Most children on the streets are between the ages of about 5 and 17 years old.Street children live in junk boxes, parks or on the street itself...
, and has sent them to various college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
s around the country. The number of children who have benefited from the Scout Association of Malaŵi is around 1,000 across the country.
Sunrise Malaŵi 2007
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
to Malaŵi in July 2007. The expedition to Malaŵi was designed to run in parallel with the World Jamboree, and took its title from the proposed Sunrise Ceremony. The objective of this expedition was to spend five weeks in Malaŵi, working alongside the Scout Association of Malaŵi, which culminated in the inauguration of their national campsite. The region also has strong links with Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, and it was hoped that Swedish and Norwegian Scouts would join the UK expedition party, however this was not possible.
Malaŵi hosted events on July 4, 2007 to mark celebrations of the Scouting 2007 Centenary
Scouting 2007 Centenary
The Scouting 2007 Centenary comprised celebrations around the world in which Scouts celebrated 100 years of the world Scout movement. The original celebrations were focused on the United Kingdom, such as the camp on Brownsea Island, the birthplace of Scouting, and the 21st World Scout Jamboree in...
, as 21 Scouts from the United Kingdom arrived to assist the Scout Association of Malaŵi.
Speaking on arrival at Kamuzu International Airport, the chairman of the UK-Africa Scout Fellowship, George Devine said part of the work they would do would be to kick-start rehabilitation of the Scout Association of Malaŵi centre at Songani in Zomba, where the centenary celebrations were held. He said that as part of the celebrations, the centre, which was still owned by the British Scout Association
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
, would be formally handed over to the Scout Association of Malaŵi, as it has been rehabilitated to world Scout standards.
Another group of about 22 UK Scouts also came to Malaŵi in July 2007 for the centenary celebrations, and they also met President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Bingu wa Mutharika
Bingu wa Mutharika
Bingu wa Mutharika is a Malawi economist who is President of Malawi. He took office on 24 May 2004 after winning a disputed presidential election...
, who is the patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
of the Scout Association of Malaŵi.
Scout Association of Malaŵi Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
Steve Kanene said that when the rehabilitation work is finished, the centre will be able to accommodate 150 people, from its current capacity of 10. "There is also going to be a maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
mill and grocery store
Grocery store
A grocery store is a store that retails food. A grocer, the owner of a grocery store, stocks different kinds of foods from assorted places and cultures, and sells these "groceries" to customers. Large grocery stores that stock products other than food, such as clothing or household items, are...
for the community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
surrounding the centre and we want to extend water pipe
Water pipe
Water pipes are pipes or tubes, frequently made of polyvinyl chloride , ductile iron, steel, cast iron, polypropylene, polyethylene, or copper, that carry pressurized and treated fresh water to buildings , as well as inside the building.-History:For many centuries, lead was the favoured material...
s to the community because there is usually a problem of water in the area every year," Kanene said.
The Scout Association of Malaŵi raised about two million Malawian kwacha
Malawian kwacha
The kwacha is the currency of Malawi as of 1971, replacing the Malawian pound. It is divided into 100 tambala. The kwacha replaced other types of currency, namely British, South African and Rhodesian, that had previously circulated through the Malawian economy...
to prepare for the celebrations, and the upgrading work at Songani will cost 35 million kwacha, which will be footed by the UK Scout Association.
Malaŵi sent a contingent to the 21st World Scout Jamboree
21st World Scout Jamboree
The 21st World Scout Jamboree was held in July and August 2007, and formed a part of the Scouting 2007 Centenary celebrations of the world Scout Movement. The event was hosted by the United Kingdom, as 2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of Scouting on Brownsea Island.The event was...
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
.
New Horizons Scotland - Malaŵi 2011
After the initiative by Scouts in Scotland to raise money for SAM, another expedition has been arranged to return to Makwawa to do some work using the funds raised. Some of the money has already been used to build the maizeMaize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
mill described by Steve Kanene in 2007, and the rest will be going to further development projects on site. A team of 37 young people, aged 14-19, and 13 adult leaders have been gathered from across Scotland to aid in this work.