Bahamas Girl Guides Association Rangers go ‘”virtual”, thank healthcare providers

Bahamas Girl Guides Association Rangers go ‘”virtual”, thank healthcare providers
The Bahamas Girl Guides 36th Ranger Unit, St George’s Church. From left are Shalom Lundy, Malaika Ford, NeChez Gilbert, Andria Conliffe and Jonicka Bisainthe. (PHOTOS: BAHAMAS GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION RANGERS)

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The COVID-19 pandemic might have slowed down life for many, but not for Rangers of the Bahamas Girl Guides Association.

“Guiding is based on girls meeting face-to-face, socializing and having fun while developing new skills for success in a global environment,” said Louise Barry, assistant chief commissioner and ranger leader.

“When the lockdown was announced in March, that posed a real challenge for groups accustomed to meeting in person.”

Healthcare workers at Fleming Street Clinic are presented with token gift bags by the Girl Guide Rangers at Holy Trinity Church and St George’s Church on New Providence. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAHAMAS GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION RANGERS)

While some groups suspended activities, three looked at the new reality and conquered, transitioning to technology. The Girl Guide Rangers, all between the ages of 14 and 18, at Holy Trinity Church and St George’s Church on New Providence and L N Coakley High School on Exuma, decided to rethink their meeting strategy. With the will to continue guiding, they made a way to meet by transitioning from face-to-face meetings to virtual meetings and activities.

Ranger Guides pledge to perform community service, and virtually participated in several activities and projects under the theme “Healthy Living and Safety” to increase their knowledge about the COVID-19 virus and to continue advocacy for the prescribed safety protocols. One of those activities included thanking healthcare workers.

Rangers in the three units presented tokens and cards of appreciation to healthcare workers who worked tirelessly during the pandemic to keep their communities safe.

Healthcare workers at Exuma Healthcare Facility are presented with token gift bags by the Girl Guide Rangers at L N Coakley High School. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAHAMAS GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION RANGERS)

The leaders, Marlene Johnson, Barry and Jabina Curry, collaborated for the event. The Nassau units presented 100 token gift bags to healthcare workers of Fleming Street and Coconut Grove Clinics at the Fleming Street Clinic, while the president, public relations officer and leader of the LNC, Exuma, Ranger unit presented 43 token gift bags to healthcare workers at the Exuma healthcare facility. The Rangers expressed their gratitude and encouragement to the healthcare workers by way of personalized greeting cards.

Recipients of the bags at the Fleming Street Clinic included doctors, dentists, nurses, auxiliary staff, phlebotomists, phlebotomy technicians, pharmacists and pharmacy tech, janitorial/ housekeeping engineers, medical records clerks, security officers and administrative staff. Recipients at the George Town Healthcare Facility included administrators, doctors, nurses, clinical nurses, clerical, janitorial staff and security officers.