Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, president of PPPBD, yesterday attended Thinking Day 2009 held at the Persatuan Pandu Puteri Brunei Darussalam [PPPBD] headquarters in Anggerek Desa. Her Royal Highness presented certificates of participation, awarded prizes to winners and toured the health exhibition.

Dyg Hajah Noraini binte Ibrahim, the Training Commissioner of PPPBD, in her opening remarks said, "Today's event commemorates the two founders of Scouts and Girl Guides, Lord Baden Powell and his wife Lady Olave Powell as their birthdays fall on February 22. This event aims to strengthen the ties among members for the future development of the organisation and the world in general."

"The theme for the event was "Stop the Spread of Contagious Diseases", related to the Global WAGGGS action theme 'Girls worldwide say: Together we can change our world'. The theme encourages young women and girls to be committed in changing the world and showing WAGGGS' commitment to United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

"Today's event focuses on the understanding and knowledge on contagious diseases. According to WAGGGS news, besides HIV/AIDS the other contagious diseases are tuberculosis, chicken pox, pneumonia and diarrhoea. The public should be aware that this country faces natural disasters due to bad weather. It is possible that contagious diseases might emerge from floods if they are not prevented in the early stages

In connection with this it is crucial for us to take heed of the advice from the Ministry of Health to take good care of our hygiene by avoiding the usage of dirty water or stagnant water due to improper drainage system," she added.

The event started with a thanksgiving prayer followed by the National Anthem and Asia Pacific Region song performed by the Girl Guides and Brownies. The event also saw a health quiz competition and health exhibition by the Health Promotion section of the Ministry of Health.

Also present were Datin Paduka Hjh Zaharah binte Hj Idris, Vice president I of PPBD, Datin Hjh Masni binte Hj Ali, vice president III of PPBD, head of commissioner, principal, head of teachers and members of PPPBD. - Borneo Bulletin (2nd Mar 2009)