Girls' Brigade on positive path

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:The work of the local arm of the international Girls' Brigade, which is currently celebrating Girl's Brigade Month, was highlighted last Sunday during a lively church service at the St Paul's United Church in Montego Bay.

"Throughout the month of March, we will continue to show our presence by wearing our uniforms and participating in different activities of the church," said Keisha McNeil, a lieutenant for the First St James Company of Girls' Brigade at St Paul's United Church. "We recently commissioned three additional officers - three lieutenants - to our organisation."

During the service, the group gave an overview of its activities, and the young members performed a musical item. They also held a bake sale following the service. The month of activities is being held under the theme 'Girls' Brigade Jamaica, On Our Journey'.

The Girls' Brigade, which was founded in 1893 in Ireland and has since spawned chapters in 50 countries worldwide, is an international, inter-denominational, uniformed group for girls between the ages of five and 19.

Every year, the month of March is celebrated as Girls' Brigade Month. As part of its observance, the Brigaders perform Christian outreach work for girls and young women in the community.

The Brigade members are involved in a range of educational programmes, including art and craft, music, healthy lifestyle practices, and personal ethics. They also participate in physical-training exercises and learn how to live by Christian principles.

MOVEMENT GROWING

"The Girls' Brigade is growing as we speak. New members have been coming on-board, and although we have it here at St Paul's, our members are not only from this church," noted McNeil. "Girls from different denominations who are interested and hear about it, they come along and join us."

The Reverend Dr Gordon Evans, head of the St Paul's congregation, lauded the Girls' Brigade, saying the organisation helped girls and young women to find a positive path in life.

"The Girls' Brigade is a group which helps young girls to choose the right path, and in this age, we need that kind of assistance more than any other kind," said Evans. "There are so many things to which our young people are exposed, so many evil things, and so few good things."