By Rimsha Ali Shah.
Kainat was keenly watching Bilal light a flame to bind together the final knot for the monkey bridge prototype they were working on together. With a twinkle of excitement in her eyes, she gazed on her left to see scouts crossing the eight-foot high monkey bridge and back at the prototype she had just helped construct using bamboo sticks and thread.
“I always wanted to be a girl guide and that is why I am here,” she said.
The proceeding two days introduced Kainat and 50 other Access alumni from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Mansehra to the adventurous world of 50 scouts from across Pakistan, as part of the project “Empowering Youth through Scouting” (EYTS).
The three-day event led by Access alumnus Abdullah Razzaq, was held at the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association (PBSA) headquarters from August 19 – 21, 2016 and engaged the attendees in team-building exercises, information sessions, and a cultural night. This was made possible with the help of an alumni small grant from the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN). All alumni of various U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Pakistan are eligible to apply for the grant of up to $5,000 USD to enable them to give back to their communities.
International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) alumna and Chairman of PBSA, Rahila Durrani appreciated how such events provide scouts an opportunity to exchange their world with others. “We want to empower youth through sustainable development and scouting takes us one step closer to that goal.”
Robert Raines, Counselor for Public Affairs at U.S. Embassy, Pakistan, and an eagle scout helped kick off the scouting camp and took part in the tree plantation and monkey bridge activity. “Leadership, teamwork, basic outdoor skills, first aid, and citizenship skills will make a difference in your lives and in the lives of others for years to come,” he said.
Workshops Engage Participants in Life-Skills Training
“Hussain’s talk was a reminder of staying strong and aligned to your goal, even in times of despair,” said Abdul Wadood, a scout from Balochistan. “I found his story of resilience very inspiring,” he added.
Sessions on first-aid, environmental protection, pioneering and outdoor activities including cricket, football, and paintball were the highlight of the second day of EYTS.
“I was really looking forward to the session on first-aid. Now, I know the principles of giving first-aid and plan to build on that knowledge with practical training,” said Naeema Naz.
The session on environmental protection explored the link between scouting and the environment. “The connection between scouting and the environment is a strong one. I have learned much more about preserving water and plants,” said Bilal Ahmed, a scout from Azad Jammu and Kashmir who had been scouting since 2004.
Participants Learn About Solar Energy for Outdoor Survival
Sitting under the blazing sun, a group of scouts and Access alumni focused all their attention on converging the sun rays on a single point on their canvas. With threads of smoke
emitting from their canvases, each participant had their own solar-powered text.
The outdoor session on the final day introduced participants to the use of solar energy for outdoor survival. They cooked a basic breakfast meal using solar-powered stoves and learned about solar-powered equipment for use in outdoor communication. “This was my most favorite activity out of all! There was so much to learn about solar energy,” said Sakeena Kazmi who firmly believed that more girls should be involved in scouting.
For Abdullah conducting a small grant project on this scale was a completely new experience. “There has been a lot of learning and I am hopeful that this camp has helped inspire and empower the youth present.”
To check out photos from the event, click here.
