Meet the Team - Laura

Last but definitely not least, it's the lovely Laura!

Name:

Laura Strutt

Age:

27

Where are you from:

Woking, Surrey

 

Role in Team Malawi:

Treasurer

What section do you work with:

Brownies and Guides - occasionally Rainbows and Rangers

Why did you apply for GOLD:

I wanted to give back to an organisation that has helped me so much over the years. Both my parents are handicapped, so I grew up as a young carer and school was awkward - to say the least!  But in Guiding, it didn’t seem to matter. I had (and still have) support if I needed it, but otherwise I was treated the just same as everyone else and that has allowed me to grow as a person and define myself.

 

I found out about GOLD from another leader; her daughter had been on a project some time ago and she believed that it would be the sort of thing I’d be interested in and benefit from doing. It took me a couple of years to seriously consider applying, and it was only once I’d started my commonwealth award, and started looking into international Guiding, that I finally took the leap.  

 

What are you looking forward to most about GOLD:

There’s so much! The adventure aspect is particularly exciting – visiting a new country and experiencing a new culture. But if I had to pick one thing, it would be the opportunity to make a real, meaningful difference by helping to get girl’s voices heard. 

Is there anything you're nervous about:

I’m a little nervous about the whole thing, as it’s all so new to me! However it’s probably the responsibility and expectation that I’m most anxious about – I don’t want to fail or let anyone down, especially not the rest of the team.

Describe the go for GOLD weekend in one word:

“Welcome!”

Meet the Team - Rhiannon

We couldn't forget our illustrious leader! Rhiannon was on project in Zambia in 2014 and returns to GOLD as leader of Team Malawi!

Name:

Rhiannon Thomas

Age:

27

Where are you from:

Usk, South Wales

Role in Team Malawi:

Leader

What section do you work with:

Guides and Senior Section

Why did you apply for GOLD:

I applied for gold for the opportunity to make a difference while challenging myself

What are you looking forward to most about GOLD:

I am looking forward to travelling to a new country and helping guiding and the people there

Is there anything you're nervous about:

Flying, it's a long way

Describe the go for GOLD weekend in one word:

Intense

Meet the Team - Alannah

Next up - Alannah, Team Malawi's first aider extraordinaire!

Name:

Alannah Smith

Age:

27

Where are you from:

Plymouth

Role in Team Malawi:

First Aider

What section do you work with:

Brownies and The Senior Section

Why did you apply for GOLD:

I really wanted to do a new challenge with guiding. I've been on so many amazing adventures already and I didn't want that to stop because of my age or other commitments. GOLD seemed perfect for me, a chance to go out and do some good as well as testing myself!

What are you looking forward to most about GOLD:
Being able to go away with an amazing bunch of girls, working together to create something which will impact positively upon others.

Is there anything you're nervous about:
I'm worried about the flying! I really do hate it. The rest seems alright in comparison, a feeling of get the first hurdle done and the rest will follow.

Describe the Go for GOLD weekend in one word:

Intense!

Meet the Team - Emma

There's no escape, not even for me! Team Malawi's Northern contingent!

Name:

Emma Cain

Age:

29

Where are you from:

Originally from a little town in Northumberland called Bedlington, now living and guiding in Leeds and working in York.

Role in Team Malawi:

Written Documenter

What section do you work with:

Brownies

Why did you apply to GOLD:

GOLD appealed to me because it encompasses both of my true loves; Guiding and travel! I'm also really passionate about the opportunities Girlguiding can give young women, especially in parts of the world where their voices are not heard as loudly as ours and this is my chance to help achieve something meaningful.

What are you looking forward to most about GOLD:

Just really throwing myself into the training and meeting people from cultures a world away from mine!

Is there anything you're nervous about:

I'm a naturally anxious person so just about everything! This will be a great learning curve for me and force me out of my comfort zone. If I had to narrow it down to one thing? Not being able to rely on words to communicate and potentially not being able to make myself understood. Oh, and flying. Me and Alannah are not allowed to sit together on the plane!!!

Describe the Go for GOLD weekend in one word:

Hilarious!

Meet the Team - Alicia

Next up...Alicia! Team Malawi's official Queen of Pep!

Name:

Alicia Perry

Age:

22

Where are you from:

Bristol

Role in Team Malawi:

Audio Visual Documenter

What section do you work with:

Guides & Rangers

Why did you apply to Gold:

Have new challenges and experiences, meet new people, see new places, and see what GOLD was all about.

What are you looking forward to most about GOLD:

Giving girls a voice and making a difference where it counts.

Is there anything you're nervous about:

THE BUGS!!

Describe the Go for GOLD weekend in one word:

Exhilarating

Meet the Team - Clare

So Team Malawi thought it was about time we did some introductions!

First up, our shiny new team member and baby of the team - Clare!

Name:

Clare McKay

Age:

22

Where are you from:

I'm originally from Cheshire but I now live in London

Role in Team Malawi:

Resources Coordinator

What section do you work with:

Mainly guides, but I'm also still involved with the walking team back home in Cheshire

Why did you apply for Gold:

When I originally applied before my first GOLD experience, I just wanted to do something a bit different and broaden my guiding horizons (So to speak) - with the added bonus of being able to meet some lovely people along the way! Guiding has given me so many amazing opportunities and skills over the years and GOLD is a fantastic way of being able to facilitate the development of Guiding abroad and hopefully give other girls the opportunity to grow and develop.

What are you looking forward to most about GOLD:

The chance to work alongside so many different people to (hopefully!) make a positive impact - and the chance to experience a totally new culture!

Is there anything you're nervous about:

I joined Team Malawi quite late when another team member pulled out. I've done a GOLD project before so I know what to expect but I was nervous about meeting the rest of the team at 2nd briefing, luckily it turns out they're all really nice! The only other thing I'm nervous about is sunburn!

Describe the Go for Gold weekend in one word:

Blurry!

Clare on her first project in Guyana 2014