October 2006 - The Boys' Brigade

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Jamaica Project The local people were hugely appreciative, and members of the community made us food and even stopped passing cars to ask for donations towards the project. At the official blessing ceremony of the school, with local media present and the mayor and local MP, we also made a donation of resources to the school, including books, stationery and games. IN LATEJULY, 24 members and staff from the 17th Nottingham and 7th Northampton Companies travelled half way around the world to the West Indies, specifically Jamaica, to undertake a community project to help the local people of Ocho Rios. The story does not begin there though; the preparation for this project had begun about twelve months ago. A great deal of money was required to undertake the project, and both groups of lads immediately started fundraising. In total, £22,000 was required for the trip. This was not a National project and therefore we had to plan everything from scratch. The total of 24 going paid a deposit to get the ball rolling, and car boot sales, a garden party and several other fundraising events went a long way towards paying for accommodation, flights and also the materials needed once in Jamaica. Fast forward 9 months and the groups met up in Gatwick airport to depart, and we were soon in Montego Bay.(Well, ten hours later) On our first full day, the group went to the Pineapple Basic School to look at the progress made there in the last three years since the previous trip. A church had become the school’s sponsor, and they were now doing quite well. We were told our help was needed elsewhere, in a region known as “Exchange”. The existing school in “Exchange” was basically corrugated steel in construction, with the main classroom being open to the elements. The local education advisor informed us the school needed to be rebuilt, and we decided to use our money to build them a decent school. We hired a couple of local builders and worked shifts to do the manual work. The first couple of days were taken up clearing the new build area, but in no time our work included transportation of building materials, laying foundations, with a few members even trying their hand at bricklaying! The school was constructed of brick foundations, wooden walls and a corrugated steel roof. The classroom was the size that in the UK would house a class of about 30 pupils, however, that was going to be split into two rooms each for 40. Another part of the job was the levelling of the playground, as well as painting the new school and its toilets. In the two weeks we were in Jamaica, we managed to construct the twoclassroom school, which will in September be the school for about 80 local children of preschool age. This will make a huge difference to the local people. Before the children would have to travel miles using an expensive bus service, the unfortunate ones going to the old basic school in Exchange. This new school means those children will be able to get a decent start in life; what better gift can you give We were all affected by the whole experience, and have learnt a lot about how people in other countries live, and it has made us appreciative of what we have in this country. We would highly recommend a trip like this. Our two companies have shown how we can make a difference to disadvantaged children from around the other side of the world, and maybe your company could do something similar. Adam King, Malcolm Semenytsh (17th Nottingham) & Andrew Wade (7th Northampton) Outside the new school page 128 • VOLUME 114 No. 4 • October 2006
Visit to Cameroon “Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who help the poor honour Him” Proverbs 14:32 (NTL) Earlier this year we were presented with the opportunity to travel to West Africa on behalf of The Boys’ Brigade UK along with the Brigade Secretary to visit BB companies in Cameroon. Cameroon is a very picturesque country with a population of around 16 million; however life is not trouble-free for those who live there. Cameroon has an average life expectancy of 46; a mortality rate for under 5’s of 14.9%; and is a country where 40% of the population live below the national poverty line. Amidst all these difficulties, The Boys’ Brigade movement remains strong with around 6000 members in just over 300 companies. Our trip was full of new experiences and adventures, with adrenaline running high before we even left the UK – our VISAs were only received 3 days before departure, Stephen was ill from taking the Malaria tablets, and we all felt like pin cushions from the number of precautionary injections required, including Yellow Fever. We all found the experience to be greatly humbling. To witness people who have nothing compared to our luxuries, yet appreciate everything as a great blessing from God – what a challenge to us! Our eyes were also opened to the commitment and dedication of both staff and boys in the BB. Staff would travel for three or four days to attend training courses or council meetings, a journey taking them shoulder height through crocodile invested rivers – and we complain about travelling for a few hours to attend Brigade Council! The BB in Cameroon is a forwardthinking organisation and aims to be self sufficient by the year 2016. To date they have started a farm in the Northern Region for boys to work on and generate income; one company has a firewood project where they bundle firewood and sell to local residents; and another company keeps chickens. But they have experienced barriers as they do not have the initial capital to employ a full time farm labourer or to buy seeds. They need help. Stephen Cowden (4th Newtownabbey, N Ireland); Rob Botting (1st Woodley, Reading) VOLUME 114 No. 4 • October 2006 • page 129
Page 1 and 2: The official quarterly journal of T
Page 3 and 4: Contents Special Features Brigade C
Page 5 and 6: Brigade Council Report 2006 Brigade
Page 7 and 8: Brigade announcements Brigade annou
Page 9 and 10: International Junior Section Team G
Page 11 and 12: We were able to arrange six face to
Page 13 and 14: Here and there Here and there Irish
Page 15 and 16: Commendations Commendations PRESIDE
Page 17 and 18: Anchors’ Christmas Activities Pro
Page 21 and 22: Juniors’ Christmas Activities Pro
Page 23 and 24: Chaplain’s corner Chaplain’s co
Page 25 and 26: from that week was the conversation
Page 27 and 28: 1st Knocknamuckley Company Spotligh
Page 29 and 30: English Athletics Championships The
Page 31: THIS AUTUMN, why not invite your bo
Page 35 and 36: Small ads Small ads Small ads Small
Page 37 and 38: Price List: Weekends from £33 Long

October 2006 - The Boys' Brigade

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