Chief Guide and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has highlighted the role of the Guide movement in building the personal and social character of young people, saying it helps develop individuals who can make meaningful contributions to society.
The First Lady made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the 25th National Patrol Leaders Training Camp in Vilimalé.
Reflecting on the camp, the First Lady said students from different parts of the Maldives had participated in the programme, learned a range of skills and gained valuable experience. She also congratulated the students who completed the training.
Turning to the wider role of the Guide movement, the First Lady focused on how it prepares young people for the future. With the movement approaching 75 years in the Maldives, she said its longstanding presence demonstrates the importance Maldivians have consistently placed on Guide education and good character.
First Lady Sajidha said the Guide movement develops students at an individual level while instilling good upbringing and character. She added that the movement prioritises health, promotes enthusiasm and happiness, and teaches young people the values of the nation and religion.
Through this development, she said, the movement helps young women grow into individuals who can make valuable contributions to society. Beyond developing individual character, the First Lady highlighted the important role of the Guide movement in building social character.
"I would also highlight how closely this movement is connected to social character. Through its training, the movement fosters a spirit that gives importance to humanity. It encourages young people to think critically about issues and reminds them to advance the interests of the community," the First Lady Sajidha said.
She said the impact of this development would become more apparent as today's children grow into the young people of tomorrow and take responsibility for these matters.
"The result is that today's children will, God willing, become tomorrow's young people who take responsibility for these matters and develop into individuals respected by others at island and atoll levels," she said.
Building on their development at island and atoll levels, the First Lady said individuals who emerge through the Guide movement can go on to gain recognition at the national level and exert influence across different areas of national life.
She further highlighted the movement's contribution to personal development, saying it helps young people improve themselves while instilling the qualities of humanity that society needs.
The First Lady also stressed the importance of religious values as part of that development, calling on Guides to be mindful of religious times and give due attention to religious matters.
Concluding her remarks, the First Lady Sajidha described Guides as helpful national servants who provide strong service to the community.