Korean Report

Report on the Korean World Council

It was a great privilege for me as senior delegate, to represent the Girls’ Friendly Society in Ireland, at the 19th G.F.S. World Council, which was held from 7th-18th August in Seoul, South Korea. The G.F.S. World President, Mrs Ruth Choi, a gentle and charming lady, chaired the meetings. The event brought together delegates and observers from 17 countries, resulting in an attendance of well over two hundred people

Sharing fellowship and worshipping together was a truly wonderful experience.

The G.F.S. in S. Korea was founded in 1965, having been elected as a target country of the G.F.S. World Project that year. As a result, the first branch was organised in Seoul Cathedral Church in September 1965, unfortunately they experienced many difficulties in trying to establish their identity, and needless to say they took on a mammoth task in hosting a world event. “They excelled” far beyond any expectations and have invigorated the G.F.S. in their country. At present, they have 400 members, spread across 17 branches. In a message of welcome from The Primate of the Anglican Church in Korea, The Most Revd Francis Park, he said -I believe the reason that G.F.S. Korea was able to host the World Council, despite its small size was because of its resolute faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

How blessed I was, to have the support and companionship of Isla Poyntz, Junior Delegate, and the other members from Ireland who travelled as observers.

The accommodation for the duration of our visit was at the Olympic Parktel, situated in Olympic Park, an area covering 1.4 millions sq metres built to commemorate the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. The park contains 200 world famous sculptures and other art exhibits and is one of the top five most renowned sculpture parks in the world.

The theme “Harmony Hope in Serving” was the underpinning focus throughout the conference. The business sessions were well timetabled: all delegates were encouraged to participate in the discussions and deliberation. We were met with a variety of experiences, as we communicated and listened to valuable lessons from one another. In choosing the theme, the Korean G.F.S. had been considering the role and identity of G.F.S. in this changing society; In what way is God asking us to fulfil our Motto “Bear ye one another’s burdens” by sharing, encouraging and supporting the G.F.S. mission and ministry around the world. There is no doubt that Mrs Choi and the members of G.F.S. in Korea are endeavouring to do all in their power to fulfil the true meaning of our motto, their outreach and actions to help women who are enduring hardship, victims of violence and other areas of adversity are quite remarkable.

Sri Lanka Report

Sri Lanka – a land like no other! The pearl of the Indian Ocean. A tropical island surrounded by sparkling blue water and golden sands, green palms swaying in the gentle breeze, a land of sunshine, a land of eternal summer.

Naturally, the surrounding ocean played an important part in the lives of the islanders, be it fishing to make a living or just frolicking in the warm water. The sea was always looked upon as a benign entity. Moreover, the rhythmic rise & fall of the white foam-flecked waves was believed to have a calming effect on the mind.

December 26, 2004 for ever changed this impression of the sea in the hearts of millions around the world.

It was 7 months ago that the most powerful earthquake in 40 years erupted under the Indian Ocean near Sumatra that morning, causing giant killer waves to crash ashore in a dozen countries across South Asia and East Africa, leaving about 220,000 dead, millions homeless, families broken and the entire world shaken.

The tsunami had done its worst in just a matter of moments.

Sri Lanka was 1,600 km from the epicenter of the earthquake, but the massive wall of water that was generated struck this beautiful isle with such force that it destroyed three-quarters of its famed coastline, taking over 30,000 lives and affecting more than a million.

This was the worst ever human disaster in Sri Lanka History. The life-giving water had turned into a ruthless killer. The gentle giant had become a malevolent force. The sea that for millions of years had provided a livelihood to fisher folk had brought unspeakable tragedy.

Desctruction

The tsunami destroyed homes and buildings, roads and railways, agricultural crops and affected water and electricity supplies, communication and more. The breakdown in infrastructure had an adverse effect on people’s health, leaving them suffering from inadequate food and drinking water, medicines and sanitation.

While it dealt a blow to tourism, it had a severe impact on the livelihood of people, mostly from poor communities who lived mainly off the sea. A million have been displaced – that is 5 % of Sri Lanka’s population – and it is estimated that about 40,000 people would require long term assistance and support. These include the vulnerable sections of society – the widows, orphans, elderly and disabled.

Aid

In the words of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, this was an “unprecedented global catastrophe” that required an “unprecedented global response”. And it is commendable that the international community responded to this challenge like never before.

At the Sri Lanka Development Forum held two months ago, international donors pledged 3 billion US dollars in tsunami aid to the island.

Victims

There is no doubt that women and children were the hardest hit by the tsunami. Official statistics are not yet available, but grass-root organizations helping with relief operations in Sri Lanka, estimate that women and children were the majority of the 30,000 odd total deaths.

12,000 children lost their lives in the tsunami. In other word, 40% of those who died were children. Thousands were orphaned or left homeless. Children, especially girls, were extremely vulnerable in situations of such large-scale displacement and death, and they were open to various forms of exploitation and violence. Human trafficking, drugs and child labor are lucrative trades and young girls could easily be drawn into all types of abuse, begging and prostitution. It is said that certain organizations and individuals on the pretext of helping and relocating victims, removed young girls and children from camps.

Authorities tried their best to reunite children separated from their families as quickly as possible or resettle them with relatives, But here, too, young girls faced problems of being forced to live with relatives, some of whom could ill treat them or make use of them in various obnoxious ways. Orphaned children and those separated from their families not only had to deal with their sense of loss, but face danger, sometimes from those purporting to help them.

Many children have now developed a fear of the ocean and steps have to be taken to allay such fears.

The education system suffered huge losses, with schools and libraries destroyed all over the Island, and this would in the long term affect children’s future. There is a need to support the education of particularly the girl child.

Gender Impact

The tsunami’s impact on women has been horrendous. It uprooted women from their familiar surroundings, stole their children and men folk, destroyed their livelihood and economic security and left many of them homeless, hopeless and helpless. Overnight they found themselves refugees in camps trying as best as they could to look after their children.

The loss of so many women could be attributed to several factors:

1. Traditional gender roles and styles, such as their selfless commitment to husband and children which made them look for their family instead of saving themselves.
2. Social, economic and in some communities religious restrictions that keep women housebound.
3. The extreme sense of modesty that prevented them from running away for fear of tearing or losing their clothes.
4. Some were weighed down by the children they were carrying
5. Many women died because they were hampered by the traditional saree they were wearing
6. Others drowned when their long hair got entangled in bushes and debris. *
7. Women in the villages are traditionally not taught to swim, so they could not out beat the water
8. They did not possess sufficient physical strength

GENDER SPECIFIC PROBLEMS

1. While resident in temporary shelters, women faced greater risks and vulnerabilities to their physical security. They had no privacy and were forced to share sleeping areas with the men. Threats of rape, gang rape, molestation and physical abuse increased.
2. The adverse effect of the tsunami on women’s health, both physical and mental, cannot be emphasized enough. Women had their loved ones literally torn from their arms by the rushing water and it would haunt them for the rest of their lives. The tsunami also destroyed much of the health care system including maternal and child care services, increasing the risk of maternal and infant deaths and sexually transmitted disease.
3. Women are also being stigmatized for surviving, while their children and elderly relatives died. Some are accused of not being able to save their children. It is reported that a young pregnant woman killed herself at a refugee camp because her husband blamed her for the deaths of their two children.
4. The additional stress on families has also led to increased alcohol abuse by men which in turn could mean a greater incidence of domestic violence.
5. The composition of the family changed in some families through the death of the husband or the father and in some areas, authorities only recognize male-headed households. This meant that a woman who has lost her husband was not entitled to claim the monthly amount given by the government to each family.
6. Gender imbalance could lead to a shift in the traditional roles played by men and women.
   Women who lost their husbands are forced to take up the role of the head of the family and bread winner. This is difficult because they have been used to the traditional role of home maker and care giver and do not have necessary skills to earn a living. They are easily exploited too.
7. Other more enterprising women who tried in various ways to supplement their husband’s earnings or earn their own livelihood in various ways found their hopes and dreams gone with the water.
   The woman who depended on a daily income by making and selling food items found herself in a quandary because her pots and pans had been washed away. Another who was engaged in making fish nets out of coconut fiber found that she had no work now. Yet another who grew fruit and vegetables and sold them in the market to make a living had no garden left after the tsunami struck.
   Women and girls skilled in needlework and traditional craft such as lace making were distraught because their sewing machines and equipment had been destroyed and they were left with nothing, absolutely nothing to make a living. Such women are now dependent on others.
8. Some of the women who faced the terror of the tsunami were those who had also experienced the horror of the 22 year old civil ethnic conflict in the northern and eastern provinces. To them it is double trouble.

This then is the plight of women who have to struggle to live in traumatic situations. All they ask for are a house, a livelihood and social security.

Response & Rehabilitation

In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, apart from the government’s efforts, women’s groups, NGOs and INGOs banded together to look into the welfare of women made destitute and to address problems faced by them in camps and find solutions. They made efforts to ensure that women were protected from discrimination, harassment and violence and provided with adequate security. They urged the government to investigate and act on reports that women and girls in temporary shelters were being sexually harassed.

The provision of adequate health care services together with counseling was also stressed. The pregnant woman, the widowed wife, the widowed mother-to-be, the woman whose baby was snatched from her arms by the cruel waves

Bible Syllabus 2012/13 Part 1 Age 15 – 21+

Bible Syllabus Part 1 Age 15-21+ – Bible Base 2012-13

Floral Art

The aim of this badge is to teach simple basis steps in Flower Arranging and to encourage an appreciation in Floral Art.

Junior Candidates

1.         Make a posy.

2.         Create a small garden on a plate/flat container.

Candidates

Complete question 1 plus 3 others

1.         What does the term “Floral Art mean?

2.         Make a posy.

3.         Create a small landscape/garden on a plate/flat container.

4.         Make a simple arrangement suitable for your Birthday Party.

5.         Arrange a small basket of flowers suitable for an occasion i.e. Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Christmas etc.

Junior Members

7-9 years – Complete questions 1 & 2 plus 4 others

9-11 years – Complete questions 1 & 2 plus 5 others

1.         What does the term “Floral Art” mean?

2.         Know a little about the need to condition cut flowers.

3.         Make a simple arrangement suitable for your Birthday Party.

4.         Using flowers, make a napkin tie.

5.         Arrange a small basket of flowers suitable for an occasion i.e. Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Christmas etc.

6.         Make a table decoration suitable for Summer Party.

7.         Make a small arrangement: use a novel container i.e. old cup and saucer, old boot, gift bags etc.

8.         Learn how to press flowers.

Members

11-13 years – Complete questions 1, 2, & 3 plus 3 others

13-15 years – Complete questions 1, 2, & 3 plus 4 others

1.         What does the term “Floral Art” mean?

2.         Know how to condition cut flowers.

3.         What is plant design?

4.         Make a table decoration suitable for Summer Party.

5.         Arrange basket of flowers suitable for a festival in the Church, i.e.  Easter, Harvest, Christmas etc.

6.         Make a small arrangement suitable for St. Valentine’s Day.

7.         Decorate a single flower for presentation as a gift.

8.         With your branch, make small posies suitable to distribute on Mothering Sunday during the Church Service.

9.         Make a card/book-mark using flowers you have pressed.

Senior Members (15-18 years)

Complete questions 1, 2, & 3 plus 5 others

1.         What does the term “Floral Art” mean?

2.         Know why it’s important and how to condition cut flowers.

3.         Name three styles/shapes of design.

4.         Make a small arrangement suitable for St. Valentine’s Day.

5.         Make a table arrangement suitable for a party, include a candle.

6.         Arrange a basket of cut flowers.

7.         With your branch, make small posies suitable to distribute on Mothering Sunday during the Church Service.

8.         Make a Christmas Decoration, suitable to hang on a door i.e. Wreath/Swag

9.         Make an item using flowers you have pressed.

Senior Members (18 years and upwards)

Complete all.

1.         What does the term “Floral Art” mean?

2.         Know why it’s important and how to condition cut flowers.

3.         Name five styles/shapes of design.

4.         Arrange a basket of cut flowers.

5.         Make a table arrangement suitable for a party/special occasion, include candles.

6.         Make a Christmas Decoration, suitable to hang on a door i.e. Wreath/Swag.

7.         Within your branch organise the making of small posies suitable to distribute on

Mothering Sunday during the Church Service.

8.         Create an arrangement suitable for a festival in the Church, Easter/Harvest/Christmas

9.         Demonstrate how to press flowers to a group of children.

Letter from Emila re world Council 2011

12^th August, 2011

Dear

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of your Diocese for all the support and encouragement that they gave towards the successful Council held recently.

As you are all aware the Opening Service in St. Patricks Cathedral, Armagh and the Closing Service in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin were both very well attended by members past and present.  The Diocesan and World Banners being paraded up the knave of the cathedral was surely a spectacular view for everyone there to see.  A special word of thanks must go to all those who helped with entertaining the delegates in branches within Armagh Diocese before the service.  The pieces that the GFS Choir sang in Armagh enriched the service beautifully.

One of the tours provided took members to Glendalough and Powerscourt.  There was a  stopover in Donoughmore Parish Hall for refreshments  and entertainment which was talked about for days afterwards!!

We were honoured to have Mrs. Rosemary Kempsell M.U. World President, Mrs Ruth Mercer All Ireland President, Mrs. Marjory McElhinney G.B. National President and Mr Philip Daley, BB Director who all addressed the meeting during the conference.

The highlight of the Council must surely have been the interaction between the delegates/observers from the 14 countries represented and members of GFS Ireland.  This was not only when they met members in their branches but on International Day when a thousand members travelled from all over Ireland.  Members got to witness how important and varied GFS is around the world and to bring home a little keepsake of the day when they visited each country stand.

None of this would have been possible without the tremendous fundraising that took place in every branch and parish over the last 6 years.  In total over €80,000 was raised (and spent!!) to help offset expenses.  Grants were also received from the Church of Ireland Priorities Fund, Failte Ireland and various Church of Ireland Diocesan Councils and we thank them for their generous support.

We were delighted to be told that it was the most successful World Council held in many years and this was surely portrayed through the standing ovation the committee received at the closing meeting.

At the Closing Service Mrs Glenys Payne from Wales was commissioned as World President and we wish her and her team every success as she starts the planning for World Council 2014.

___________________

Emila Corrigan

Handcraft Syllabus 2011-12

The Girls Friendly Society in Ireland

Craft Syllabus 2011-2012

Aim:

• Promote the value of creative activities
• Promote environmental awareness by using non-toxic waste materials

• Increase members self esteem, confidence, creative and intellectual ability
• Assist members in developing their creative skills

Objectives:

• Organise programmes for children and young people
• Provide art and craft training and advice on creative skills

Guidelines when working with children:

Come to the craft area prepared. Look over the instructions and materials needed and plan ahead. A child will quickly grow restless if you don’t.

Crafting doesn’t have to be expensive. Recycle! Your creativity can add new life to old objects. Costume jewellery, lace, fabric scraps, buttons, and toilet tissue rolls are recycled staples for the young crafter.

Protect clothing.

Allow ample space for each child and materials.

Always provide close supervision, especially when sharp objects, such as scissors or messy paints are present.

Don’t rush. Plan ample time for preparation, activity, and clean up.

Keep wet wipes on hand for picking up spills and clean up after.

Q-tips come in handy as paintbrushes and glue applicators.

Glue sticks are safe, clean and easy to handle by small fingers.

Never squelch their creativity. Let the child be creative without interfering. This will allow fun together while still allowing creativity to flourish.

When working with children, flexibility is the key! Don’t suppress their creativity when they want to try something other than the original directions given for a project. And, above all, don’t tell them that they did it wrong. Praise and encourage.

Don’t take over your children’s work and do it for them. There is nothing that can deflate their confidence and creativity faster!  

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE THE WORK OF THE CHILD.

Most importantly, PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE and keep it FUN!

All Ireland Handcraft Syllabus 2011-2012

Junior Candidates (3-5 years):

Draw a butterfly and decorate, any medium.  A template may be used.  No larger than A4 size.

Candidates (5-7 years):

Make a bug using pipe cleaners and any other medium.  No larger than A4 size.

Junior Members (7-9 years):

Using a recycled container, make a pencil pot and decorate as desired using any medium.

Junior Members (9-11 years):

Decorate a hair band, any medium.

Members (11-13 years):

Tie die and decorate a bandana suitable for wearing.

Members (13-15 years)

Make and decorate a trinket/jewellery box and decorate as desired.  No larger than 15cm square.

Senior Members (15-18 years):

Make a story board using a pizza box and give it your own title.

Senior Members (18-21 years):

Make an item of jewellery, any medium.

Townsend Members:

Make a cushion cover for a 16” infill, any medium.