The Thai word "Sawaddee" means "greetings". A word which will be on the lips of every Thai man, woman and child when the National Scout Organisation of Thailand (NSOT) hosts the 20th World Scout Jamboree from December 28, 2002 to January 8, 2003. The Royal Thai Government has given its full support to this World Youth Event and has already extended a warm welcome and "Sawaddee" to Scouts worldwide.
Approximately 30,000 young Scouts - boys and girls, ages 14 to 17 years, and leaders and service staff members (over 18 years) from the World Organisation of the Scout Movement's member countries, are expected to participate. The Jamboree provides an opportunity for them to spend 12 days camping together and attend interesting activities designed for them in self-development and social responsibility within the framework of the educational Scout method.
It is hoped that the Jamboree will foster the progress and unity of the World Scout Movement to the next millennium and also strongly link it to the Asian cultures which open up to modernity, both in terms of activities and methods used, in a cheerful and friendly atmosphere.
Information already received from NSOT tells that the Jamboree site at Sattahip located in the Chonburi Province, 150 km south of the capital city of Bangkok, on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, is ideal for the achievement of all objectives. The area covering about 1,200 hectares consists of flat plains, foothills and a long white sandy beach, gradually sloping down towards the crystal clear blue sea which is suitable for water sports and outdoor activities.
The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago plans to send a contingent, limited to 36 youth and four adult leaders, under the leadership of Vivian C.L. Kangalee, Headquarters Commissioner - Scouts, to Sattahip.
However, one scoutleader, Rosanna Munroe of the 29 Port of Spain scouts and cubs, would very much like to send at least five from her troop. "But my youngsters are not among those whose parents can easily write a cheque" she laments "as the amount for just air fare, departure tax, registration and the Thai Visa, amounts to nearly $16,000. They will also need to get spending money. We have a lot of children with single parents so our mission is to raise the money, either through partial or total sponsorship."
Munro has already chosen Jason Adams, Ronald Baptiste, Michael Duncan, Joel Allick and Curtis Bartholomew, all former students and cub scouts of Belmont Government Primary School, and now at Secondary Level.
Another problem which faces this indomitable woman is that of getting steelpans to Thailand as "my boys are members of our No 29 Steelband which performed at last Monday's opening of Library Week. They will be playing in the Trinidad section of the Caribbean night at the Jamboree." While Rosanna would love to accompany her scouts, she is clear "only if there is money. But the children have first preference and will just go with the contingent leader. I will stay back."
So far, Rosanna and her troop have been trying the normal methods of fundraising "but we haven't touched the tip of the iceberg as yet." The one thing she is sure about is "definitely, definitely they will be going. Although my boys parents definitely cannot afford it but they are keen."