Last month we lauched Scottish Scouting's campaign to help Scouting grow in Malawi. The aim is to raise about £6,000 for the Scout Association of Malawi, not only to help more young people there to experience Scouting but, at a more basic level, just to allow the Movement to continue. As well as the other ways in which you can help (see main article on our Malawi Campaign for details), another option is to use starter boxes.
Malawi Starter Boxes
The idea of the starter box is that sections or groups would collect or fund raise for items that Scout leaders in Malawi have suggested as being basic necessities to starting a section in Malawi.
These items, listed below, would then be boxed and a contact name and address included in the box, enabling the group in Malawi who receive the box to contact the sending group. Contents to be purchased and/or sourced:
•12 x 2 m lengths of rope, with finished ends, for knotting practice (not polyprop)
•2 or 3 footballs (about £5.00)
•Football pump (about £4.00)
•1 or 2 basic compasses for south of the equator (about £15.00) - Silva Voyager 9020 is suitable
•1 knife with fold away blade, no longer than 3” (between £5 - £10)
•2 x whistles (between £1.00 - £5.00)
•Print copy of Malawian Handbook that can be electronically supplied
We would like to suggest that groups also include some other things of their own choice. These could be a letter from the group, letters from the young people, information on the group and what they do, pictures of the group, picture of their home town or area. Other things can be included like extra games stuff, tennis balls, book on knotting, tracking, orienteering, pencils, colouring pencils (not felt pens).
Things that are not useful are old uniforms or old UK Scout handbooks (Malawi has a different programme).
We are investigating the best type of box to use and the most economics means of shipping the boxes.
If your group is interested in supporting this initiative please contact Keith Hewitt at SHQ on 01383 419 073 or email keith@scouts-scotland.org.uk.
