Team Malawi's First Team Photo!

From left to right; Alannah, Alicia, Rhinnon, Laura and Emma (me!)

Team Malawi does First Briefing

So this time last week, this year's batch of GOLD participants were tucking themselves into their own beds after a weekend of fun, games and squeaky bunk beds!

The weekend began with a trip down to Tolmers Scout Camp in Hertfordshire, which didn't go too well for 4/5's of Team Malawi who showed up late! Dinner was served and then First Briefing really kicked off with a rowdy game involving many many layers of clothes and partially undressing in a room full of not-so-much-strangers-anymore! We got some team time after that to get to know each other and settle in to our rooms.

Day 1 was absolutely jam packed full of information and workshops mixed in with some games! We had the chance to think about and discuss topics like PR and fundraising, culture shock and heath and well being. Team Malawi has decided that to combat stress/homesickness/culture shock we will all create personal 'happy playlists'. If anyone has the blues we'll pop on the playlist and have a mini dance party! We also had the chance to choose the all important kit! Hoody and T-shirt colours were debated long into the afternoon, thankfully we'd all vetoed the same colours! No yellow for Team Malawi!

After dinner entertainment was Rio 2016 themed and we'd all packed sports wear for the occasion! My personal favourite was Team Malawi's very own Laura who'd managed to dress as an entire heptathlon! A spectacular opening ceremony was staged by the leaders and GOLD staff, dressed as famous Brazilian things like jungle creatures, 'Christ the Redeemer' and flip flops! What followed was the most bizarre Olympic Games anyone has ever seen and by the time we'd passed a polo from matchsticks held in our mouths, passed a key on some string through every item of clothing we had on and crossed a room on sheets of newspaper we were a pretty tight knit team. Our closeness wasn't enough to win though and Team Malawi came in a pretty dismal 8th place! Oh well it's the taking part that counts right?! Also Team Cambodia deserved the win for the human pyramid alone!

Day 2 was more relaxed with more group workshops and team time. Our roles were decided and we each had time to sit with Rhiannon and discuss any issues or concerns we had regarding the project.

Team Malawi has had some hiccups along our journey so far and we arrived maybe more anxious than others but the time to bond was invaluable and though we arrived as 5 individuals we left as one team. We're excited for this journey and the adventures that await and to welcome our 6th team member whoever she may be (for now we've affectionately named her Janet).

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Much Love,

Team Malawi.

What is GOLD anyway??

GOLD stands for Guiding Overseas Linked with Development which has been working in partnership with other guiding associations around the world for almost 25 years. Teams of 6 young women are selected from all over the UK each year to provide sustainable community or guiding based development projects which can include anything from leadership skills training to delivering advocacy programmes to young women. To date, GOLD has worked with more than 30 countries, sending over 600 members of Girlguiding on the adventure of their lives.

All Goldies - past and present - have 3 things in common. We are all;

• Aged 18-30
• Members of Girlguiding
• Enthusiastic and passionate about what Girlguiding does

We have also taken part in a Go for Gold weekend, the selection weekend for all GOLD projects. I don't want to give away too much about the weekend but I'd encourage anyone to apply. It was a fantastic experience in itself and one you'll definitely never forget! To get your name on this list or for more information head over to http://new.girlguiding.org.uk/latest-updates/opportunities-with-girlguiding/gold-2016-1.

Much Love

Team Malawi :)