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They were Prepared 14
Some facts
Over a period of five years, and through many different phases of the work, the G.I.S. has contributed on the welfare side 12 complete teams, together with 4 smaller units, 7 individual workers, and an Advisory Officer. In addition, it has provided 35 trainers and campers for special Guide or other youth projects. The total number of those who have served abroad is 243. Of the 188 women, 152 came from Great Britain, 22 from Australia. 7 from New Zealand, 2 from Canada, 2 from Eire, 1 from Kenya, 1 from Holland, and 1 was a White Russian. Of the 55 men, 47 were from Great Britain, 2 from Canada, 2 from New Zealand, 2 from Eire, 1 from South Africa, and 1 from Australia.
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From May 1942 to June 1950, the G.I.S. Committee has met 99 times in London. Miss Rosa Ward, Chairman of the Committee, was awarded the O.B.E. in the King's Birthday Honours List, 1948.
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Miss Margaret Pilkington, leader of the Greek team, was awarded the M.B.E. in the New Year's Honours List in 1948.
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Miss Gwen Hesketh, who has been working in Germany since 1945. and is now G.I.S. Advisory Officer, was awarded the M.B.E. in the King's Birthday Honours List this year.
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In June 1946 a training team of Guiders went to Germany on behalf of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to arrange training for leaders of Youth Movements in DP camps under the leadership of the Head of Training for New Zealand.
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Control Commission Germany allotted to the G.I.S. the role of helpers and advisers in regard to German Youth Camps. One G.I.S. team ran a series of eight camps for undernourished children in the Ruhr. When
the possibility arose of Guiding being allowed in Germany, the G.I.S. met the training expenses of a party of young German women who came to Great Britain to study Guiding methods. Later, Guide Imperial Head- quarters sent British trainers out to Germany.
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In February 1949 a G.I.S. worker, by profession a sanitary inspector, was withdrawn from his work in Germany and seconded to the newly-formed British Red Cross Commission in Transjordan as sanitation officer, to deal with sanitation, anti-malaria campaigns and sometimes with the preparation of completely new camps for Arab refugees.
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One of the bright spots in post-war European chaos was the smooth-running system of co-operation between the CBSRA societies and relief societies in the reception countries in the matter of supplies and stores. Money spent on supplies was regarded as the life-blood which kept relief work functioning. All teams went out well- found with stores which proved invaluable especially in the early days of desperate scarcity. When the teams were established in the work and could estimate needs, the main flow of " special request " stores started.
N.B. G.I.S. London were enabled to send out the urgently needed stores because of the adequacy of the G.I.S. Fund, contributed to generously and eagerly by thousands of members of the Guide Association in all parts of the world. (For further facts and figures see back cover.)
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£800 was sent by G.I.S. to Pakistan in 1948 for purchase of hospital equipment and relief supplies; cots, blankets and toys were despatched to India, and a consignment of tinned milk went from Australian G.I.S. direct.
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A book giving the full story of the teams and the people among whom and with whom they have worked will be published after all G.I.S. field work is ended.
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