Government minister urges expansion of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts programmes

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith has called for a nationwide effort to establish Girl Guides and Boy Scouts programmes in every school across Barbados.

Speaking at a launch event on Saturday, Griffith stressed the importance of structured activities in helping young people reach their full potential.

“There are too many diamonds in the rough that go unnoticed because no one is paying attention to them,” he said. “We need more mentors to guide our young people to a level where they can make us all proud.”

Griffith delivered his remarks at the official launch of the CARICOM Badge, a new initiative for members of the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. The event was held at St Ann’s Fort, Barbados Defence Force headquarters.

The CARICOM Badge was introduced by Ashley Lashley of the Ashley Lashley Foundation, whose tenure as CARICOM Youth Ambassador has officially ended.

Ashley Lashley

Reflecting on the project, Lashley said, “It is a tribute to the people who believed in me and to every young person who needs someone to believe in them too.

“I envisioned a badge that would be replicated across guiding and scouting communities throughout the Caribbean, a badge that connects us all across waters and borders, that shares values, culture and service.”

Targeted at young people aged 11 to 25, the badge initiative aims to strengthen Caribbean identity, encourage advocacy, and promote active citizenship.

Participants will engage in activities exploring CARICOM’s history and objectives, participate in a geography challenge focused on member states, and host cultural carnivals featuring regional music, food, and fashion. Volunteerism is also a core element of the programme.

Initially planning to donate 100 badges to each organisation, Lashley was able to increase the number to 250 badges per group with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.

Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association, Jennifer King, praised the initiative, stating, “The CARICOM badge is more than just a new part of our uniform. It represents pride in our Caribbean identity, a deepened understanding of our shared challenges and strengths, and a renewed call to action for our young people.”

Trevor Jones, Chief Commissioner of the Barbados Boy Scouts Association, also welcomed the new badge programme.

Saturday’s event opened with a ceremonial flag parade and included virtual remarks from CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Dr Amery Browne, and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne — all of whom voiced their support for the initiative. (STT)