Guides de la République Démocratique du Congo
Encyclopedia
Les Guides de la République Démocratique du Congo (The Guides of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, GRDC; formerly Association des Guides du Congo) is the national Guiding
organization of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
. It was founded in 1991 and became an associate member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
(WAGGGS) in July 2008. The association serves 7,784 girls (as of 2008).
in 1928 when first groups where started by Roman Catholic
and Protestant
missionaries. However, the first official unit was not founded until 1937 in Elisabethville
. In 1950, the country was visited by Olave Baden-Powell
, who met Scouts
and Guides in Leopoldville
. After the country's independence in 1960, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts assisted the Guiding association in its membership application. During the 21st World Conference of WAGGGS in June 1972, the Association des Guides du Zaire (Guides Association of Zaire) was accepted as an associated member. Only five months later, all youth organizations were banned by the government.
Guiding was restarted in 1991 under the name Association des Guides du Congo and rebuild with support from the Africa Region of WAGGGS
. In 2008, Guiding was present in nine of the eleven provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The association was readmitted as an associate member of WAGGGS during WAGGGS' 33rd world conference in July 2008.
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
organization of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
. It was founded in 1991 and became an associate member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...
(WAGGGS) in July 2008. The association serves 7,784 girls (as of 2008).
History
Guiding came to the then Belgian CongoBelgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
in 1928 when first groups where started by Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
missionaries. However, the first official unit was not founded until 1937 in Elisabethville
Lubumbashi
Lubumbashi is the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, second only to the nation's capital Kinshasa, and the hub of the southeastern part of the country. The copper-mining city serves as the capital of the relatively prosperous Katanga Province, lying near the Zambian border...
. In 1950, the country was visited by Olave Baden-Powell
Olave Baden-Powell
Olave St Clair Baden-Powell, Baroness Baden-Powell, GBE was born Olave St Clair Soames in Chesterfield, England...
, who met Scouts
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
and Guides in Leopoldville
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
. After the country's independence in 1960, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts assisted the Guiding association in its membership application. During the 21st World Conference of WAGGGS in June 1972, the Association des Guides du Zaire (Guides Association of Zaire) was accepted as an associated member. Only five months later, all youth organizations were banned by the government.
Guiding was restarted in 1991 under the name Association des Guides du Congo and rebuild with support from the Africa Region of WAGGGS
WAGGGS-Africa Region
The WAGGGS-Africa Region is the divisional office of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which services Guiding in Sub-Saharan Africa and neighboring islands that are recognized members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Guides .This region is the counterpart of the...
. In 2008, Guiding was present in nine of the eleven provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The association was readmitted as an associate member of WAGGGS during WAGGGS' 33rd world conference in July 2008.
Program
The association is divided in three sections according to age:- Les Bengalis (Brownies) - ages 5 to 11
- Les Guides (Guides) - ages 12 to 17
- Les Ainees (RangersRanger (Girl Guide)A Ranger or Ranger Guide is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 14 and 25. Exact age limits are slightly different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Rover Scouts-Early history:...
) - ages 17 and older.