31 new scouts invested |20 September 2021

The Seychelles Scouts Association on Saturday welcomed 31 new members following their investiture where they joined the troop by making the Scout Promise, and affirming their commitment to the Scout Law.

They also received their scarf and badges.

The new members were invested during a ceremony held at the Anse Boileau primary school, in the presence of chief commissioner Betty-May Sopha, principal secretary for Education Dr Odile Decomarmond, head teacher of the Anse Boileau primary school Sultane Jacqueline, scouts leaders and parents.

Out of the 31 new scouts, ten are Cubs (8-10 years old), 17 are Scouts (11-14 years old) and four are Ventures (15-17 years old).

The investiture is the beginning of a special time in a young person's life.

Scout-aged children are entering the stage of life when they desire to break away from their parents, find out about the world, and try to shape their own identity in it.

It is scouting's desire that a major part of the identity that these young people form is that of being a scout.

Welcoming the new members, Mrs Sopha said the ceremony had been put on hold for the past two years due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but based on the association’s motto which is ‘Be Prepared, creating a better world’ they decided to make the bold move with the support of all the partners, including the Ministry of Education and the parents.

She described the event as important since it is the stepping stone for the journey of the newcomers as Scouts, enabling them to progress further in the movement, including at regional and international levels.

Mrs Sopha also reminded the new scouts that making the Scout Promise is not simply about saying the words, but rather about making a deep commitment to living your life in a certain way and also to be ambassadors and role models for other children.

To date, the scout movement is active in nine local schools, and according to Mrs Sopha, there is a growing request from more schools and other institutions, but a lack of trained leaders is the main setback, preventing the movement from extending.

She extended an invitation for more parents and other responsible adults to step forward and serve the organisation which she said contributes greatly in shaping the country’s children into responsible adults.

Scouting in Seychelles started in 1927 as an overseas branch of The Scout Association (UK) and aimed mainly for British boys.

Later it was opened to all boys and in 1977 scouting was banned by the regime in place following the Coup.

After seizing power by force, the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF) decided to get rid of the scout movement and create an organisation of the communist type that took youth under its umbrella known as the Young Pioneers.

The scout movement was readmitted in 1994 and became a member of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in 2002.

Since 1998, the SSA is twinned to the Greater London South West County of the Scout Association (UK).

The Scout movement, also known as scouting or the scouts, is a voluntary non-political educational movement for young people. Although it requires an oath of allegiance to a nation's leaders and, in some countries, to a God, it otherwise allows membership without distinction of gender, race or origin in accordance with the principles of its founder, Lord Baden-Powell.

The purpose of the scout movement is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. During the first half of the twentieth century, the movement grew to encompass three major age groups for boys: Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Rover Scout.

In 1910, the Girl Guides was created, encompassing three major age groups for girls: Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout and Ranger Guide. It is one of several worldwide youth organisations.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the investiture ceremony.

Roland Duval

Photos by Louis Toussaint