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NFO NEWSSCOUTING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION COVID-19 SPECIAL ISSUE VOLUME 52, MAY 2020 Spirit of Scouting In Action Covid-19 Special Issue Featuring the collective services of Scouts across Asia-Pacific Region during the COVID-19 pandemic where Scouting spirit shines brighter to cope with unprecedented challenges. A F G H A N I S T A N Scouts in Afghanistan are closely working with the government to promote health awareness by sewing fabric face masks, doing house-to-house campaign observing social distancing, and disinfecting vehicles. Few weeks back, Scouts collected donations and purchased food and essential items for distribution to 11 families who lost their income due to the lockdown. They prepared food packages to last for a month, including rice, flour, oil, sugar, beans, tea and hygiene kit with soap, hand sanitizer, and face masks. 2 Photo cScouts Afghan 3 Chief Commissioner Philip Harrison called on all Scouts to Stay at Home and Safe during the pandemic. A U S T R A L I A “Scouting is moving online, provide ongoing social connections, support for possible mental health, useful fun stuff to do. In short, we are still open for business, just in a different way.” -- Phil Harrison, Chief Commissioner, Scouts Australia Video link: https://youtu.be/ioxU9m-bq9Q Photo c Scouts Australia c Photo Scouts 4 B A N G L A D E S H Rover Scouts in Bangladesh produced hand sanitizers as a safety measure from the virus. Leaflets in Bengali were produced and distributed to school children and in public places to create awareness. Photo c Bangladesh Scouts Photo 5 B H U T A N Scouts fight COVID-19 – from distributing food to patrolling at night Scouts in Bhutan help fight the spread of A Scout Leader from Nagor Scout group said, “we COVID-19. Some distribute food and health kits. can fulfill the King’s mission and vision, if we make Others volunteer at quarantine facilities and do our community a better place for everyone espe- house-to-house visit. The rest patrol at night. cially to our elders, through our collective small acts of kindness.” Scouts are inspired by the televised speech of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King Scout Karma Choden, a nursing student and youth of Bhutan. He said, “with the risks posed by volunteer in a quarantine facility, said “as a Scout coronavirus confounded by the economic uncer- and a nursing student, it is always a pleasure to tainties, the resilience of our people may also contribute to our nation in our small way, and this gradually diminish. Moving forward, it is impera- gives me a feeling of happiness.” tive for the King, government, and the people to join hands and work together so that our people Leaders and Scouts of Thim Throm collaborate are inspired and ready to face this adversity with with local teams to take turns patrolling at night. fearless courage.” To keep Scouting going, Bhutan Scouts launched Photo c Photo Bhutan Association Scouts Scouts and leaders distributed rice, oil, salt, an online camp with emphasis on learning and sugar and hygiene kit donated by the govern- building Scouting through networking. Online ment to different communities especially the sessions tackle WOSM programmes and feature elderly people. performances by Scouts and Rovers. 6 ...as a Scout and a nursing student, it is always a pleasure to contribute to our nation in our small way, and this gives me a feeling of happiness. -- Scout Karma Choden, nursing student and volunteer at a quarantine centre 7 B R U N E I Scouts in Brunei Darussalam took the initiative to hand over a donation of BND5,000 (USD3,500+) through the Ministry of Health for the COVID-19 Relief Fund. The donation ceremony was held at the Dewan Al-Afiah of the Ministry of Health, and was received by Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health, Haji Khalid bin Haji Azhari, presented by the President of the PPNBD, Awg Haji Matusin bin Orang Kaya Sura Haji Tuba. With the arrival of Ramadan, Scout leaders prepared a total of 41 food packs and distributed to four districts in the country. Photo c Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam Brunei Negara Pengakap Persekutuan c Photo 8 F I J I Lautoka Scouters Council distributed relief supplies to villagers as a way of helping families who are running out of food because of the lockdown. Photo c Fiji Scout Association Photo 9 H O N G K O N G Hong Kong introduces Scout Health Guard The Scout Association of Hong Kong is one and Well-being” reminding members to of the first associations to encourage its maintain a healthy lifestyle while promot- members to maintain personal hygiene at ing the well-being for people of different all times and to share protective tips with ages. Hong Kong Scouts launched its own family and friends. edition of Special JOTI and those who have completed the tasks as assigned In support of the Sustainable Devel- at home became eligible to one piece opment Goals (SDGs), TSAHK high- of specially designed badge and Health lighted the third goal “Good Health Guard Badge. 10 ...highlighted the third goal “Good Health and Well-being” reminding members to maintain a healthy lifestyle while promoting the well-being for people of different ages. 11 I N D I A India launches virtual National Youth Forum; reaches out to communities When the government of India declared a “Scouting never stops as you make a way to national lockdown to avoid the further spread get connected with each other. Scouting can of the virus, the Bharat Scouts & Guides always battle even the most challenging situa- found a way to stay connected and spread tion. My friends, we live in unusual time forcing joy and support among its members. Scouts all of us to think of how we do our lives, how are meeting online to lift each other’s spirits we do our business. Countries that have more and keep Scouting going. Scouts and Rovers Scouts, have solid structure are more capable in Karnataka organized a meeting called “On- to fight this virus, and you have done that. You lineScoutMela” and hosted webinar sessions have proven your ability to mobilise Scouts engaging young people with topics #Togeth- and be there for those who are in need and for erAtHome, #ScoutsStayHome, #ScoutsforS- your country as it battles this unusual pandem- DGs and #MessengersofPeace. ic that is really impacting all aspects of life. So on behalf of the 50 million Scouts, I want A virtual National Youth Forum was creat- to salute you all for being good Scouts, good ed for young members of BSG for them to Guides – showing that we are always prepared discuss and express their views on different even if our challenges are very complex,” the issues, as well as to enhance their skills in Secretary General said. decision-making at the institutional level of Scouting and Guiding. He added that the Scout Movement is now very resourceful and innovative. He cited as an During its launch, the Secretary General example the holding of the online Jamboree – of the World Organization of the Scout the JOTI Special Edition – where it was able to Movement, Ahmad Alhendawi, guested at connect millions of Scouts around the world, the virtual national forum and addressed allowing them to learn about the enormous the young people of BSG. talents from Scouts. Photo Guides & c Scouts Bharat The Photo 12 Even before the government called for the national lockdown, Scouts and Guides of India were actively producing and distributing face masks and hand sanitizers. Others opted to disinfect public places such as schools and railway stations, and do awareness campaigns. During the lockdown, Scouts cooked large amounts of food and distributed meals to people who temporarily lost their livelihood due to the lockdown. 13 I N D O N E S I A Scout Care disinfects schools, produces ScoutGel As the coronavirus affects millions of lives, ing activities in Indonesia, instead conduct Gerakan Pramuka (GP) Indonesia adheres to initiatives where Scouts can connect and the government’s lockdown policy and urged interact online. Scout leaders launched all Scouts to stay home. the “Home Scouting” activities encourag- ing Scouts to stay at home and get con- As early as March 2020, GP Chairman and nected through Instagram and Facebook. Chief Commissioner Comm. Gen Police An “internet workshop and seminar” was (Ret.) Budi Waseso requested all provincial also conducted on how to keep safe and Photo c Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia Pramuka Gerakan c Photo and district headquarters to stop all Scout- healthy during the pandemic. 14 In other areas, trained and properly to the frontliners. equipped Rovers and Senior Scouts, through the Pramuka Peduli or Scouts Care Team, With the help of Scout leaders who are worked with the government to disinfect also religious teachers, mass prayers were schools and public places covering West conducted online. Java to South Sulawesi province. -- Berthold Sinaulan, Member, APR Commu- nications and Partnerships Sub Committee In Banten province, Rovers produced hand Photo (c) Gerakan Pramuka National HQ sanitizers called “ScoutGel” and distributed 15 K O R E A Rovers in South Seoul Local Council donated face masks to a local community, while Rovers in Pusan Local Council conducted fumigation activities in 13 kindergarten areas. Other Scouts donated 180,000 bottles of drinking water to volunteer venters in collaboration with the Community Chest Fund of Korea. In Taegu, Scouts organised a fundraising activity on 12 March and supplied 13,500 bottles of drinking water to volunteer centres.