Scouting empowers youth to be resilient – PM Phillips

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips acknowledged the scouts’ significant role in youth development and the promotion of national identity and unity in Guyana.
He made these remarks on Saturday at the Scout Association of Guyana’s (SAG) Annual National Camp Opening Ceremony to celebrate the organisation’s 114th anniversary, which is being held under the theme “Renewing the Vision, Igniting the Fire” at SAG’s headquarters on Woolford Avenue.
Phillips described the country’s scouting history as one of growth, resilience and empowerment.
He commended the young scouts for upholding principles, serving communities and demonstrating leadership and global citizenship while lauding SAG’s resilience despite changes in societal attitude, financial constraints, and other obstacles over the years.
The Prime Minister said that his office would financially support the body before the end of the year while appealing for additional support.

“This is something that we have to continue to support throughout Guyana, especially at a time like this. Yes, we have resources and we are growing at a fast rate, but it is one thing to be wealthy and another thing and, perhaps, more important, to be patriotic.
He said that at this moment in the country’s history, there is a need to “adopt a whole-of-country approach to dealing with this threat from Venezuela… you have a history of community service, and now you have a role to ensure that everybody in your community understands the significance of Essequibo being part of Guyana. It always was and always will be.”
Scouting was introduced to British Guiana in 1909, making Guyana the first Caribbean country to start scouting and fifth in the world. The first Scout Troop was formed at Queen’s College under the leadership of George Manly, a Sergeant Major in the British Regiment stationed there.
New troops formed and were attached mainly to church schools including St Mary’s, St Theresa’s, St Stanislaus, St Francis, St Thomas More, HQ Troop 39, St Pius, and Central High in Georgetown.
Troop 39 was notable as the first Troop to make the overland journey to Kaieteur Falls. This Troop produced some of Guyana’s scout leaders – including two Chief Commissioners, DB St Aubyn and Lawrence Thompson, and four Assistant Chief Commissioners for Cubs.
Scouting spread from the county of Demerara to the county of Berbice, where a renowned Troop, Lady Dawson’s Own, was formed. Scouting emerged in the county of Essequibo in the 1940s with Troops mostly attached to church schools.