Dominican Republic

Promise:

Promesa de la Guía

Yo prometo por mi honor hacer cuanto de mí dependa para:
Cumplir con mi deber hacia Dios y mi Patria,
Ser útil al prójimo en todo momento,
Obedecer la Ley Guía.

Guide Promise

I promise, on my honour, to do my best:
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people at all times,
To obey the Guide Law.

Promesa de la Golondrina

Prometo hacer todo lo que pueda para cumplir con mi deber hacia Dios y mi Patria y ayudar todos los días a los demás, especialmente a los de mi casa.

Swallow Promise

I promise to do my best:
To do my duty to God and my country, and
To help others every day, especially those at home.

Law:

Ley de la Guía/Guía Intermedia

1 La Guía es persona en cuyo honor se puede confiar.

2 La Guía es leal.

3 El deber de la Guía es ser útil y ayudar a otros.

4 La Guía es amiga de todos y hermana de toda Guía.

5 La Guía es cortés.

6 La Guía es amiga de los animales.

7 La Guía obedece órdenes.

8 La Guía sonríe y canta en todas las dificultades.

9 La Guía es económica.

10 La Guía es pura de pensamiento, palabra y obra.

Guide/Intermediate Guide Law

1 A Guide is a person whose honour is to be trusted.

2 A Guide is loyal.

3 A Guide’s duty is to be useful and to help others.

4 A Guide is a friend to all and a sister to every other Guide.

5 A Guide is courteous.

6 A Guide is a friend to animals.

7 A Guide obeys orders.

8 A Guide smiles and sings under all difficulties.

9 A Guide is thrifty.

10 A Guide is pure in thought, word and deed.

 

Ley de la Golondrina

La Golondrina accede a los deseos de sus mayores.
La Golondrina nunca cede a sí misma.

Swallow Law

A Swallow gives in to the wishes of her elders.
A Swallow never gives in to herself.

Motto:

Lema de la Guía/Guía Intermedia - Siempre Lista

Guide Motto - Always Ready

Lema de la Golondrina - Dar Ayuda

Swallow Motto - Lend a Hand

Age groups:

Guía Mayor Senior Guide 15-18

Guía Intermediate

Intermedia Guide 10-14

Golondrina Swallow 6-9

Development of the movement:

The first company was opened in the Dominican Republic in San Pedro de Macoris in 1961 with the help of representatives from the WAGGGS Western Hemisphere Committee and by April that year Guiding had spread to Santo Domingo. By 1964 the Association had three branches, with the formation of a group of Senior Guides to complement the existing Brownies and Guides.

The Association’s National Headquarters were opened in Santiago in 1976, and by 1980 Guiding had spread to the whole country, and companies and packs were found in all provinces. In 1988 the National Committee launched an expansion programme with the intention of increasing its membership and improving the quality of Guiding.

Programme:

The Association aims to offer members a programme that provides opportunities for personal growth and development of character through education and fun. A social worker was employed in 1990 to survey the needs of the girls and develop a recruitment plan, and revised programmes are currently being tested by leaders. Girls attend discussion groups on such subjects as drug addiction, the Promise and Law, and the young girl and her attitude to the community.

Relationship to society:

Service and community development play an important part in the life of the Association. Guides visit hospitals, work in orphanages, and take part in literacy and vaccination campaigns. As part of Building World Citizenship, the Association worked on a food and nutrition project to provide information, livestock, tools and skills to members of the rural population who frequently suffer from malnutrition owing to lack of information, and weather conditions. The project hopes to make them self-sufficient and to market their product. It is hoped to establish goat and rabbit rearing, a poultry farm and ten allotments in schools and homes.

Communication and Co-operation

Members of the Association attend gatherings and seminars abroad whenever possible, and input from such events has strengthened Guiding in the Dominican Republic. The Association tries to participate in all Western Hemisphere events and encourages its members to visit Our Cabaña, the WAGGGS World Centre in Mexico.

The Association has an excellent relationship with the general public, the church, the media and the Government. Activities are often featured on television in Santiago and Santo Domingo, helping to make the Association widely known. A monthly bulletin containing news and training material is also produced by the Association, as well as publicity leaflets on various topics.

Training:

The Dominican Republic has a training team, a training adviser and a national trainer. A training scheme has been prepared which covers training for Leaders and girls. A three-year development plan has also been devised. Efforts are being made to employ a full-time trainer to take on responsibility for the production of training material and visits to the provinces.

Outdoor and Environmental Activities

Camping is enjoyed by all, and the countryside provides many natural campsites, although schools are also used for camping. The Association organizes an annual ‘Afternoon of wine and cheese’ in order to raise funds. Guides also take part in re-afforestation campaigns.

As part of Building World Citizenship, a Clean-Up campaign was held all over the country and focused on recycling of newspapers, paper and aluminium. There was also a tree planting campaign and participants were also involved in cleaning parks and rivers.