#WSJ2015 for All
Participating in a World Scout Jamboree is the lifelong dream of every Scout. However, it is a dream many cannot afford. That’s where Operation Kirara comes in. The solidarity programme has enabled some 452 Scouts and leaders from 85 less economically developed countries to enjoy the experience of a lifetime in Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan, site of the 23rd World Scout Jamboree.
The programme, which was made possible through the generosity of the Japanese government and the Scout Association of Japan, provided these Scouts with financial assistance, covering the cost of transportation, accommodation, activities and meals.
The goal of the sponsorship is to promote international understanding and friendship and to enrich the Scouting experience of participants through the sharing of information and experience with other Scouts.
We recently had a chat with three Operation Kirara recipients to find out how they were doing at the Jamboree.
Daliso Thomas Banda, Zambia
Dallas, a 16-year-old Scout, is a part of a six-member patrol at the Jamboree. He is very happy to be here as he knows that not many people get this opportunity. For him, being in the Jamboree with Scouts from other countries is what the Spirit of Unity is all about. By working together and helping each other, Scouts are strengthening the spirit of unity.
Even though Daliso is from a warm and tropical country, he admits that he is not used to this humid weather. Eating with chopsticks remains a challenge for him, as it is for most people.
What he loves about Japan are the great structures, such as the bridges that link the islands. He wants to be a civil engineer one day, so that he can design structures that improve his community’s quality of life and help them to grow and prosper. His favourite Jamboree activity is the water activity and the most touching was certainly the excursion to Hiroshima.
During the Jamboree, he visited a couple of troops from different countries. He was invited by a Brazilian troop to try some real South-American chocolate. He also visited a Mexican and Egyptian troop. By exchanging stories and experiences, Daliso discovered that they all share one thing in common – they want to create a positive impact to influence others when they return to their countries.
When Daliso returns to Zambia, he will share his Jamboree experience with his fellow Scouts and encourage them to attend future Jamborees. He believes that when people from different cultures learn more about each other, it is easier to establish peace, since it generates understanding and compassion.
Additionally, he wants to start a tree-planting project because apart from greening the surroundings, trees are important resources for the economy and are able to reduce landslides.
Clementina Lopez, El Salvador and Fatima Aliyeva, Azerbaijan
Clementina, a 17-year-old Rover Scout, and Fatima, a 15-year-old Scout, had to go through strict selection processes in their countries, where they had to write motivation letters.
In addition, Clementina had to sit for an examination on Scouting and Japanese culture, and provide a letter of recommendation from her Scout leader and a report of her academic performance. Fatima was required to participate actively in Scouting activities for more than six months.
Clementina learned about the opportunity to go to the Jamboree when her mom told her about Operation Kirara, which she had seen on a website. Although, she knew about the Jamboree, she had never thought of going because of her economic situation. So, when she discovered that she was selected, she was very excited. Fatima, knew about the Jamboree even before being a Scout, so she was pleasantly surprised when she found out that she was selected.
They are enjoying their time at Jamboree and are grateful for the experience. Both of them love Japan: the customs, meals, and a lot of other things, Fatima even dreams of working in Japan one day.
When asked how they are promoting peace, Clementina opined that everyone has the right to live in harmony and “as Scouts Messenger of Peace, we should take action and create peace within our family, Scout group and school”. Fatima agrees with her. She feels that the world would be more peaceful if there were more Scouts. For that reason, she hopes that the Scout Movement will grow bigger in the future.
Both of them feel that the Jamboree has changed them for the better. Fatima has learned to be more prepared and Clementina wants to contribute more to her Scout association and be a better Scout.
By Irene Peris from Spain and Jesse Fedriks from the Netherlands, both members of the International Service Team at the #wsj2015 Media Centre.
