Sharjah Girl Guides Turn a New Leaf in Self-development

The latest self-development programme on the Sharjah Girl Guides (SGG) agenda this summer is called ‘The Stronger Me’, and aims to impart effective health education, good nutritional choices and regular exercise among Brownies (7 to 11 years) over the next three months.

Launched recently in collaboration with Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC) and the UAE’s Department of Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the programme’s curriculum seeks to stimulate a development process among its young participants in a way where they become organically attuned to adopting lifestyle practices that will ensure optimal physical and mental health.

For the next three months, 15 Brownies will be educated about the importance of a healthy lifestyle in a series of workshops and programmes, and learn about vital things like the difference between maintaining a healthy body weight supplemented by exercise and a healthy diet vis-à-vis losing weight in unhealthy ways. They will pick up essential tips to decrease fat levels in their bodies, increase muscle weight, and cook healthy meals.

“Child obesity is a growing problem and the only way to ensure that it does not become a nationwide health issue is through early intervention, which has always shown to produce measurable health benefits. Through ‘The Stronger Me’ programme, SGG seeks to do exactly this by equipping our future generations sufficiently to make informed lifestyle choices and lead healthy and fulfilling lives,” said Sheikha Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director at SGG.

“We believe that by educating the youth on health and fitness we are not only securing their foreseeable future, but are sowing seeds that will reap long-term benefits. When these girls grow up to become educators, doctors, caregivers, and responsible citizens, they will enrich society by passing on these valuable lessons to their successors and peers in community,” she added.

For the first month of the programme, participating brownies have the opportunity to be part of the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s ‘Little Chef’ competition, where they will compete against one another to cook delicious and healthy meals.

And along with Sharjah Ladies Club, SGG will be providing open sessions and awareness programmes led by nutrition experts, mind and body exercises, and more. Girls will also be taken on supermarket trips and taught how to shop to support a healthy lifestyle, and will enjoy cooking lessons where they will be making easy meals packed with nutrition.

Participants successfully completing the programme will receive the SGG 'Health' badge to add to their guiding achievements.

The Guiding movement was established in Sharjah in 1973 after which it spread to all seven emirates, giving rise to the Girl Guides Association of the United Arab Emirates in 1979. Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, SGG aims to inspire and nurture future generations to become progressive global citizens by providing a platform for girls to develop to their fullest potential.