Community Action To Improve The Environment

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2013, Jennifer Corriero and Ping Ya-Lee, TakingITGlobal,   "The Youth Guide to Biodiversity" 1st Edition (Chapter 13) Youth and United Nations Global Alliance. Reproduced with permission.

Chapter 13. Kate Buchanan, WAGGGS. Verbatim.

Member Organisations of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) carry out many projects around the world.

Here are two examples of projects tackling environmental issues.

Both projects won an Olave Award for outstanding community service work at the WAGGGS World Conference in 2008.

Girl Guides of Malaysia: “Recycling for Unity” project

The project aim was to create awareness in the community on the importance of preserving the natural environment. This included instilling a sense of social responsibility to protect the environment, to reduce pollution, and to work towards creating a pollution‑free environment at the local level. 

The Girl Guides conducted a survey to assess the community’s knowledge and experience in waste management and recycling. Based on the survey results, the Girl Guides visited several households and distributed information about the issues. The Girl Guides collaborated with local government, businesses and community groups to implement the project, which included distribution of recycling equipment. The project was monitored through home visits by the Girl Guides.

This was the first such project carried out in Malaysia and required significant collaboration between the private and public sectors. One unexpected benefit is that the community now has a residents’ association that developed as a result of the collaboration of various groups involved in the project.

Girl Scouts of the Philippines: regional impact project on the environment Girl Scouts from Mindanao, an island in southern Philippines, initiated a service project on solid waste management, recycling, food production, supplementary feeding and vermiculture (the process of breeding worms to compost waste).

Forty Girl Scouts transformed waste land that had become a dumpsite into an organic vegetable, ornamental and herbal community garden. The girls took part in all aspects of the project. They worked closely with local government officials, local leaders and health workers, the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture and Girl Scout volunteers and staff.

The local community built a shed with funding from the Mayor’s office. The shed served as a meeting place for the girls as well as a display area for various craft products made from recycled materials. 

The health workers supervised the growing and harvesting of organic vegetables and herbs. Inspired by the girls’ community action, more families in the community have constructed their own backyard compost pits and are now growing their own organic vegetables. The Girl Scouts were happy to share their time and skills. In carrying out the project, the girls broadened their attitude to community service and deepened their understanding of environmental issues.