My NDP Journey

  Natasha Ngui – Contingent Commander (Reserve)   Q: What were the challenges you experienced during the training?    A: It was challenging getting used to a new environment and delivering our best performance to meet the high expectations on the parade ground.   Q: How did you overcome it and what were the lessons you learnt?   A: Learning to take feedback wasn’t always the easiest thing as well. I’ve learnt to not take the comments personally as feedback is necessary to help us do better. Such guidance is needed to improve our performance and the whole parade presentation.   Q: What was the most rewarding moment of this journey?   A: What I really enjoyed about this journey was seeing everyone’s determination to improve with each practice and the friendships we forged through NDP. It is not something everyone gets to experience and I am thankful for it.       Nur Aiysyah Binte Aswan – Girl Guide from Changkat Changi Secondary School   Q: What were the challenges you experienced during the training?    A: Our first few trainings were held during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan. One of the challenges for me during this time was that I became tired during the rehearsals and could feel some muscle aches. This was especially difficult when the training was conducted under the hot sun.   Q: How did you overcome it and what were the lessons you learnt?   A: To stay focused, I found it helpful to tell myself repeatedly that “I can do this!” and to listen to the encouragement of the contingent. I was surprised that I was actually strong enough to overcome the challenges. Plus it helped to know that I was doing is for our nation – I felt proud to contribute this way.   Q: What was the most rewarding moment of this journey?   A: What was most rewarding for me from this experience was the opportunity to know myself better. Today, I am more aware of what I am capable of doing and achieving. I also learnt that we need to take action if we want to succeed. Finally, I’m glad to have made more friends and that we are there performing together in the parade.       Felicia Ng Rui En – Girl Guide from West Spring Secondary School   Q: What were the challenges you experienced during the training?    A: My initial fear was making mistakes that would affect the contingent’s overall performance. In order to improve, I decided to watch and learn from the video recordings of our training sessions so that I would not make the same mistakes again.   Q: How did you overcome it and what were the lessons you learnt?   A: Spending my Saturdays under the scorching hot sun with my contingent, there were times I wanted to give up. But as I thought about it, I realised I was actually building up my stamina– this made me decide to persevere and push on. My strong determination to perform well and overcome obstacles taught me that everything is possible when we put our minds to it. I also learnt that it is important for us to work as a team to successful.   Q: What was the most rewarding moment of this journey?   A: The most rewarding moment of this journey was making new friends and memories. The sense of achievement and satisfaction as we marched well together during each parade was very rewarding. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of this year’s parade.

GGS Office and Shop Closure on 19 & 20 March 2019

Dear Members, Girl Guides Singapore (GGS) will be organising the GGS Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 19 March 2019. As all GGS staff are involved in this major event, please be informed that GGS HQ & Guide Shop will be closed on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, for final preparations for the event. Please also note we will also be closed on Wednesday, 20 March 2019, to give staff a day of rest post-event. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Yours-in-Guiding, GGS Secretariat

My Guiding Story – Ms Nurul Huda

Ms Nurul Huda (Right) – Guider from Spectra Secondary School Which years were you involved in Guiding and in what capacity?  I began my Guiding adventure in 2009, as a Guider in my 1st unit. I began to participate actively at HQ level, by joining Training and Guide Branch Committee in early 2010. Currently, I am a Guider in Spectra 1st Coy (which we started in 2015), and a member of Guide Branch and Camp Committee.  In 2011, I was given the opportunity to travel to Our Cabana for the Young Women World Conference. In addition, I attended the Asia Pacific Conference for Leaders of Girls, in 2014. These overseas conferences gave me new insights and deepened my believe in the values that Guiding instills in our girls.  Please share with us a few of your thoughts on how Guiding has shaped you/your character and impacted you as a Guider?  In secondary school, I was not a member of any uniform group. I would have never imagined myself to be in one as an adult. Guiding opened a new world of possibilities for me. I have became more curious, outdoorsy and creative. As a Guider, we hold a heavy responsibility in molding and empowering our girls in their formative years. The impact Guiding have on our girls, is immeasurable. I have witnessed the growth of my girls over the years, and I marvel at their resilience and maturity after they leave our nest. In the beginning, it was daunting, but I have embraced this responsibility. In addition, I had to challenge myself to be a better leader – to be more patient, a better listener, and quick on my feet. In fact, Guiding values have become part of my life. It becomes part of my moral compass. The most wonderful thing is also making friends through Guiding. My Guiding sisters are people who I am close to, and lean on for support and brain-storm ideas. How are you involved in Guiding today?  Today, I am a proud Guider of Spectra 1st Coy. This is a company which we started in 2015. Our first batch of Guides has stepped down, and currently sitting for their ‘N” levels. I could not be prouder of their achievements, and how far they have come. I am also a member of Guide Branch and Camp Committee.  What are some word of encouragement do you have for our Guiders today in impacting the lives of their girls? I was not prepared to be a Guider, as it was assigned to me. I understand how daunting and tremendous the role of a Guider may be in the beginning. However, do not give up or throw in the towel! Just like any journey, there will be bumps and challenges, but as long as we are willing to learn and give our best, it will be worth it. The ‘it’ here refers to seeing our girls grow, and in time become a valuable member of their family and community. They may not remember what you taught them in class, but they will indefinitely remember your impact in their lives.

My Guiding Story – Ms Amal Hayati

Ms Amal Hayati (Far Left) – Guider from Teck Whye Secondary School Which years were you involved in Guiding and in what capacity? As a Brownie (1998-2000) and Girl Guide (2001-2004), I was given leadership opportunities as a Sixer and Patrol Leader. Since becoming a Guider in Teck Whye Secondary School in 2011, I have focused on coming up with new and better ways of engaging our girls in meaningful activity-based programmes. Our unit organised our first annual camp in 2013, followed by our first camp in Camp Christine the following year. We are proud of how far we have come, from a unit which was lacking in experience to a now PNA (Gold) unit. I’ve also been to International Camps in the recent years. These have given me invaluable first-hand experience and facilitate International clauses more confidently. Please share with us a few of your thoughts on how Guiding has shaped you/your character and impacted you as a Guider? Guiding has been and continues to be a big part of my life. The memories and experiences that I have of Guiding from my time as a student have all been wonderful. I felt resonance with the Guide Law the first time I saw them in the Handbook – that was one of the deciding factors for me to chose Girl Guides as my CCA. I love my Guiding journey and it is exciting when I am able to share my Guiding experiences with others. What are some word of encouragements do you have for our Guiders today in impacting the lives of their girls? As Guiders, I believe that it is easier to be a positive influence when we truly believe and enjoy what we are doing. Everyone is constantly learning; even as experienced Guiders, there are still many things that we do not know. There’s always something to learn from one another. When we can make meaning of what we do, knowing that we are shaping our girls to be better versions of themselves,  we are motivated to carry on with our work.

My Guiding Story – Mdm Hasnita Surani

Mdm Hasnita Surani (Middle) – Guider from Chongzheng Primary School Which years were you involved in Guiding and in what capacity? In Primary school, I always enjoyed watching my friends in Brownies even though I wasn’t in the CCA. At Bedok South Secondary School, a friend persuaded me to join Girl Guides; I became Company Leader when I was in Secondary 3. I joined the Rangers after graduation. When I started teaching, my CCA HOD found out that I had been a Girl Guide and so asked me to run the Brownie CCA, which led me to become a Brownie Leader. GGS invited me to join the International Committee in YEAR and I’ve been having a fabulous time helping out since. Please share with us a few of your thoughts on how Guiding has shaped you/your character and impacted you as a Guider? I’ve always believed that the holistic natur  of Girl Guiding programmes enables Guiders to develop into well-rounded persons. Guiding offers a powerful platform to bring out the best in girls and women, as well as to benefit the people around us. Our motto ‘Be Prepared’ is  universal. I have applied it during different stages of my life and also when I put on different ‘hats’, as a teacher, Guider or friend, for example. It has shaped my mindset to be ready for anything that comes my way and to be a help to our fellow sisters-in-Guiding. That is what Guiding is to me – using our strengths to build each other up, working together as a team. What are some word of encouragement do you have for our Guiders today in impacting the lives of their girls? Always inject fun into what we do with our girls. Fun can turn even the most seemingly mundane activities into unforgettable experiences.