Robinette Emonson from Girl Guides Australia spoke to us about the re-establishment of Girl Guiding in Myanmar (Burma).Burma was a former British colony which gained independence in 1948. Girl Guides were well established in the country before 1962 when the military junta took control. It was only after 2010 when a democratically elected regime came to power that the government of Myanmar allowed former Girl Guides to make contact with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
In 2014, Myanmar was re-admitted in to WAGGS. Rotary District 9810, through a Rotary Foundation Grant funded four trainers and volunteers to travel to the country from Australia to train the trainers. The Grant covered the travel and expenses for the Australians as well as well as the cost of materials and interpreters.
Myanmar was admitted to full membership of WAGGGS in September 2017 and now has 39,500 Girl Guides.