The Covid-19 pandemic might have slowed down life for many, but not for Rangers of the Bahamas Girl Guides Association.

“Guiding is based on girls meeting face-to-face, socializing and having fun while developing new skills for success in a global environment,” said Louise Barry, Assistant Chief Commissioner and Ranger Leader.

“When the lockdown was announced in March, that posed a real challenge for groups accustomed to meeting in person.”

While some groups suspended activities, three looked at the new reality and conquered, transitioning to technology.

The Girl Guide Rangers, all between the ages of 14 and 18, at Holy Trinity Church and St. George’s Church, in New Providence and L. N. Coakley High School in Exuma, decided to rethink their meeting strategy. With the will to continue guiding, they made the way to meet by transitioning from face-to-face meetings to virtual meetings and activities.

Ranger Guides pledge to perform community service, and virtually participated in several activities and projects under the theme ‘Healthy Living and Safety,’ to increase their knowledge about the Covid-19 virus and their advocacy for the prescribed safety protocols. One of those activities included thanking health care workers.

Rangers in the three units presented tokens and cards of appreciation to healthcare workers who worked tirelessly during the pandemic to keep their communities safe.

The leaders, Marlene Johnson, Louise Barry and Jabina Curry collaborated for the event. The Nassau units presented 100 token gift bags to healthcare workers of Fleming Street and Coconut Grove Clinics at the Fleming Street Clinic, while the president, public relations officer and leader of the LNC, Exuma Ranger unit presented 43 token gift bags to healthcare workers at the Exuma Health Care Facility.

The Rangers expressed their gratitude and encouragement to the healthcare workers by way of personalized greeting cards.

Recipients of the bags at the Fleming Street Clinic included doctors, dentist, nurses, auxiliary staff, phlebotomist, phlebotomy technicians, pharmacist and pharmacy tech, janitorial/ housekeeping engineers, medical records clerks, security officers and administrative staff. Recipients at the George Town Health Care Facility included administrators, doctors, nurses, clinical nurses, clerical, janitorial and security officers.

Bahamas Girl Guides 36th Ranger Unit, St. George’s Church L – R: Shalom Lundy, Malaika Ford, NeChez Gilbert, Andria Conliffe, Jonicka Bisainthe 

Bahamas Girl Guides 32nd Ranger Unit, Holy Trinity Church L – R: Deonte Hepburn, Lakeicia Lewis, Hailey Miller and D’Andrea Wright missing is Lataz’yah Rolle 

L – R: Ms Louise Barry – 36th Ranger Leader, Dr. F. Francis – Dentist, Mrs. S. Porter – Pharmacist, Ms D. Higgs – Administrator in Training, Mrs. P. Clarke-Rolle – Clinic Administrator, Mrs. Hepburn-Forbes, Mrs. L. Collie – Nursing Officer in charge of Fleming Street Clinic, Mrs. Marlene Johnson – 32nd Ranger Leader Absent: Dr. D. Thurston – Medical Team Leader, Dr. D. Almira - Dentist Clinic front line workers moved slightly closer for photo and separated immediately to go back to work.

Front line workers at the Exuma Health Care facility receive gift bags from Ranger Guides from L. N. Coakley High School. Pictured l-r, Barbara Bethel, Health Care Administrator, Nigel Rolle, Crystal Light Security, Dynasty Ferguson, Ranger Treasurer/PR, Jabina Curry, Assistant District Commissioner and Ranger leader, Anastacia Clarke, Ranger president, Theodore Romer, Trinity Cleaning, Latoya McPhee, Registered Nurse, Selena Curtis, trained clinical nurse and Laura Neely, clerk.