Photos: Brownies Hold Outreach Initiative
First Devonshire and First West Pembroke Brownies partnered to teach young girls crocheting and knitting, with support from the community.
A spokesperson said, “As part of their community outreach programme for 2023, the First Devonshire Brownies and First West Pembroke Brownies have organized an intergenerational venture with grandmas, moms, community partners, and store owners designed to provide instruction for little girls in two fading arts – crocheting and knitting.
“The Brownie leaders, Snowy Owl Aliyah Philpott and Brown Owl Cathy Bassett, purchased wool and crochet hooks from the Knit Shop in St. George’s and received donations of yarn from parents and Butterfly Crochet and Crafts, owned by Shaneeka Hollis.
“Mrs Hollis was invited to instruct the 17 brownies in the art of crochet. She provided the Brownies with individual and group instruction and donated lots of beautifully colored yarn for the brownies.
“Instruction booklets were provided for both Brownies and moms and nans. Individual Brownies were sponsored for private lessons by Rotarian Dr Taka Mubaka of KEMH as part of his mom and infant care efforts, which every Rotarian supports locally and globally.
“Several moms and nans brushed up on their crafting skills and assisted their girls in crocheting and knitting hats for premature infants at the neonatal unit at the King Edward hospital. NICU Nurse Martha represented her team and accepted the generous donation of hats after sharing with the Brownies information about her role in the maternity ward.
“The Brownies have embarked on a health and wellness programme this year, which encompasses health and wellness from birth to senior years.
“To this end, they have commenced a unit on care of infants and pledged to provide warm hats for premature babies for the next few months. They have embarked upon a course with former midwife Janice Swan, grandma of Ayame Swan, Sports Director of her Brownie group.
“Mrs Swan showed a video and taught the girls the fundamentals of infant care and each Brownie held and compared two pound, three pound, and four pound hand weights to get an idea how light premature babies could be. She shared the amazing benefits of technology in enabling preemies to strive and grow.
“The Brownies will take first aid and learn the basics of babysitting of siblings as part of their health and wellness programme.
“Each component will enlighten the Brownies and will go towards the earning of badges.
“Brownies will also receive craft and Brownie skills badges as part of the crochet and knitting programme. Thirty preemie hats were donated to keep the heads of babies warm and snug.
“Other service projects the Brownies have commenced include a donation of non-perishable foods to the Devonshire Parish Council for residents in need, a monetary donation to the Methodist Church Wednesday Feeding Programme, Pouches of Love Project, which involves a donation of toiletries to women residing in the Salvation Army shelter, two KBB coastal cleanups of Glass Beach and Black Bay Beach, assistance with the Salvation Army Kettle of Hope, and the production of a healthy foods recipe calendar to help lessen the incidence of high blood pressure and diabetes. The recipes are all meatless.
“Dr Ayesha Peets Talbot, mother of two Brownies of First Devonshire Brownies and a former Devonshire Brownie herself, is the consultant of the Brownie health and fitness effort which is designed to encompass all family members.
“All units of Girlguiding in Bermuda are engaged in community service. These units include Rainbows 4 to 7, Brownies 7 to 10, Girl Guides 10 to 14, and Rangers 14-18. The Girlguiding movement is recovering from Covid and is currently recruiting new leaders. Interested residents are encouraged to sign up by registering on Girlguiding.bm.
“Teachers, paraeducators, retirees, Bermuda College students interested in youth work, members of the police force, friends of Guiding, and corporate and guest workers are welcomed to sign up to help as leaders and helpers.
“Help us strengthen Guiding in Bermuda and build character in our girls as we continue to soar in 2024.
“The Girl Guide Commissioner in Bermuda is Rosalyn Wally Simmons.”
