A total of 46 Girl Guides leaders received their warrant cards and 418 Girl Guides leaders, Rangers, Girl Guides and Brownies received their tenderfoot badges from Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, President of the Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association, in a ceremony held at Sayyidina Hassan Secondary school yesterday.

Other members of the Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association were also present at the ceremony.

Prior to the presentation of the warrant cards and Tenderfoot badges, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna officiated a study garden for Sayyidina Hassan Secondary School, which is named after Her Royal Highness.

Dayang Hajah Suraini binti Hj Noor Hashim, Principal of Sayyidina Hassan Secondary School, in her welcoming remarks said, "The number of recipients this year for tenderfoot badges is very encouraging. The overall figure receiving the badges in Brownies level this year is 231 persons while in the Girl Guides level is 137 individuals."

She added, "The reason for the increase members are the new recruitments at other primary and secondary schools."

In addition to the presentation of warrant cards and tenderfoot badges, 17 underprivileged Brownies and two underprivileged Girl Guides also received contributions in the ceremony.

In an interview with members of the Girl Guides association, Izzatul Adibah binti Hj Mohd Gani, Raiezwani binti Radimas, Dk Radhiahtul Munirah binti Pg Sarabuddin, Amal Syukrinah binti Hj Sulong and Nazwatul Bazilah binti Suhaili highlighted the benefits of becoming a Girl Guides members.

According to them, "By becoming Girl Guides, we have managed to learn how to be independent, raise our confidence and build better communication skills.

"We also make new friends and use our free time productively. During school holidays, Girl Guides association organises various interesting activities." - Borneo Bulletin (27th Apr 2009)