I was invited to the Girl Scout Jamboree Camping Gathering of The Basilan Girl Scouts and enjoyed a lunch, campfire and program with wonderful kids camped out close to the Healing House Hospital.
A Troop of 9 Teens from or near Tipo Tipo sat down with a pediatrician, a nurse
and me to discuss life in Tipo. The were bright, open and caring young ladies who shared honestly with us about the impact of Peace and Order issues in Tipo Tipo where so much fighting, terrorism and the camps of the Abu Sayyaf exist side by side with a farming community of civilians. The Girls described how school was interrupted by evacuations. They talked about fear felt by their families and themselves. They felt that life would be wonderful on this beautiful island of Basilan if only the fighting and ASG would be gone from there communities. Poverty is major problem, they said, but if Peace and Order ruled the issues of poverty could be handled because there are so many natural resources and food, etc, due to the richness of the soil. But with the war it is very difficult for people to function well.
All the Girls are in school and hope to go to college. Three hoped to be doctors , one a nurse and others computer experts or business women. All hope to leave the area due to the conflict and difficulties. All wanted to participate in making life better in their communities. All Muslim young women hoped to get married, have a career and make a difference in their country. We were impressed with them and I believe Scouting is a marvelous Program that has much to offer the children of the Conflict Area of the Philippines.
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