Scouts of Eastern Africa Gather in Kenya for Zonal Activities

From 7th to 11th December, Scout from the East Africa countries converged in Kenya for the annual zonal Scout activities. NSO leaders, Junior, Senior and Rover Scouts came together for various events. The adults converged at the Embu Scout Centre for the Zonal Scout Education Forum and 19th Zonal Scout Conference, while the Junior, Senior and Rover Scouts were at Rowallan Camp in Nairobi for the Zonal Inter Patrol Scout Competitions and 10th Zonal Scout Youth Forum, respectively.

The events drew participants from Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Among the participants were 5 patrols of Scouts with special needs such as hearing impairment, speech impairment as well as the mentally challenged. This went on to show the efforts being made by the movement to reach out to and integrate these groups of young people in Scouting activities.

These annual events are held with the aim of enhancing the brotherhood of Scouting across these countries, promoting interaction and shared learning among the Scouts as well as promoting integration among people of the East Africa Community. These messages were very evident from the speeches made by different leaders at the closing ceremony held on11th December at Rowallan Camp. All who spoke urged the Scouts to embrace brotherhood and take the opportunity to make friendships and learn from each other in order to grow Scouting in the zone and beyond.

The WSB Africa was represented by the Youth Programme Manager and the Adult Resource and Training Manger. The office also made some donations of Scout items to the five patrols of Scouts with special needs and the overall winners.

The 2016 edition of the zonal events will be hosted by the South Sudan Scouts Association in Juba.