In a bid to enable their young members spend their time at home gainfully during this period of physical distancing to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Sharjah Girl Guides (SGG) has organised a series of workshops and competitions to engage Brownies, Guides and Senior Guides in a variety of activities to stimulate creativity, increase their civic awareness and teach them life skills.

On April 8, SGG hosted a ‘Hag Al Laila’ contest on Instagram, in collaboration with Sharjah institute for heritage, for Brownies (7 – 11 years), Guides (12 – 15 years) and Senior Guides (16 – 18 years). Fifteen questions based on heritage and culture were displayed on SGG’s Instagram account, which participating members had to answer. The competition winners won cash prizes.

Titled ‘Transformation Day’, the second event was a workshop held on April 11 for all SGG members. Young chef Athba – a 21-year-old engineer with a passion for cooking – taught them easy methods of preparing healthy and light snacks for the whole family. Through the workshop that was held on SGG’s Instagram account (shjgirlguides), participants grasped the essentials of diet plan creation with healthy alternatives and set smart goals in nutrition and health.

Finally, a seven-day D-I-Y craft competition, ‘Re-create’, was organised on SGG’s Instagram account. The contest began on April 6 and concluded on April 12 and was open to all SGG members to encourage the girls to research and reuse used materials in a practical project.  The activity created an awareness in them about the importance of recycling and sustainability, showing them ways to make a positive difference in their communities. Green badges were awarded to all those who completed the competition successfully.

These activities are a part of SGG’s April workshops programme to ensure that its members stay active and engaged in the safety and comfort of their homes, and learn important lessons across many fields, including arts and crafts, as well as life skills.