The Kenya Scouts Association

Infobox WorldScouting
name =Kenya Scouts Association


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country =Kenya
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f-date =1910
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members =261,786
chiefscouttitle =Patron
chiefscout =Mwai Kibaki
chiefscouttitle2 =Chief Scout
chiefscout2 =Ole Kaparo
chiefscouttitle3 =Chief Commissioner
chiefscout3 =Kalonzo Musyoka
website = [http://www.kenyascouts.org/ kenyascouts.org]
affiliation =World Organization of the Scout Movement
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The Kenya Scouts Association is the national Scouting association of Kenya. Scouting was founded in British East Africa in 1910, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1964. It has 261,786 members (as of 2008).cite web |title=Triennial Report 2005-2008 |url=http://scout.org/en/content/download/11615/94838/file/Triennial_Report_EN.pdf |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |accessdate=2008-07-13]

History

Robert Baden-Powell, and his wife Olave, visited Kenya in 1935 on the way to South Africa, and spent time in Nyeri, near Mount Kenya, where his former personal secretary

Lady Baden-Powell moved back to England after his death, but is buried beside Lord Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell's Paxtu cottage, now a small museum, stands on the grounds of the Outspan Hotel. For years it served as a WAGGGS World Center.

In 1982, J.J.M. Nyagah was awarded the "Bronze Wolf", the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting.

Program

Scouting in Kenya focuses on urban and rural community development needs. Community service is required for the early rank advancement and includes hospital visits, blood donations, helping the aged, planting trees, adult literacy campaigns, road and bridge construction, first aid training, building schools and homes for the aged, as well as many other projects. The conservation of nature is a major program emphasis. The senior conservation badge is a required badge in order to earn the highest rank, Lion Scout.

The Scout Motto is "Uwe Tayari", which means "Be Prepared" in Swahili.

Age divisions

* Sungura (Cubs) - 6-11 years
* Chipukizi (Scouts) - 12-15 years
* Mwamba (Senior Scouts) - 16-18 years
* Rovers - over 18 years

Extension Scouts

The KSA runs the Extension Scout Program, or "Street Scouts" as it is often called. In 2007, about 4000 children were enrolled and the number was growing. The program organises Scout groups for street children. The program also reaches out to children that go to orphanages during the day, but live on the streets at night. Children learn life skills as well as receiving basic health care. They can get practical job training and support to re-enter the education system. In some cases, children have been re-united with their families. The program has been so successful that it has spread to other countries, including Uganda and Tanzania.

Scouts Canada has been helping the KSA run the Street Scouts for several years. [cite press release| title =Scouts Canada Helps Break Cycle of Poverty for Kids in Kenya | date =2007-07-31 | url =http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2007/31/c2592.html | accessdate =2007-07-31] Ten Street Scouts attended the 11th Canadian Scout Jamboree in 2007.

Emblem

The membership badge of the Kenya Scouts Association features Mount Kenya, in the national colors of the flag of Kenya.

ee also

*Kenya Girl Guides Association
*Elizabeth Nyaruai

References

External links

* [http://www.kenyascouts.org/ Official website]
* [http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/heritage/sikhhert%20EAfrica/sikhsEAfricapart5.htm section on Scouting in Kenya]