Two Days in Philippines - Day One
Day One: “Queenie and the King”
Letitia fought back the tears as she told the story of how Scouting saved her daughter’s life.
Looking older than her years, this single mother, and head of household of a street family in Manila’s slum told of how, at 11 years of age, her daughter Queenie was recruited to a special programme of the Philippine Scouts, a programme which inspired Queenie to study by the light of the street lamp above their “home” (a ramshackle hand cart which doubles as a cigarette and chewing gum stall during the day)…
But more important, she said, the Scouts gave her daughter confidence in herself and a drive to improve …
Closing her speech in broken English, Letitia looked at her daughter, proudly dressed in a smart Scout uniform and implored “make sure you finish your studies” … all of you, make sure you ALL finish your studies!
The 41 scouts of this special group cheered as one of THEIR mothers was able to make a coherent and inspiring speech to none other than the King of Sweden!
Queenie, now 17 years old is half way through first year in teacher training college .. tears of pride flowed .. and even the king showed he too was touched.
Jerwin was next. He spoke of his 8 month jail term – when he first came to Scouts at the age of 12 he turned up high on a cocktail of drugs and solvent … but the Scout leaders didn’t give up on him and after his release they warmly welcomed him back to the group … closing his speech he proudly displayed his primary school cert, recently achieved at the age of 18, and declared that he had just started high school.
His Majesty was in Manila leading a small group of donors to visit some excellent programmes funded by the World Scout Foundation. When Letitia and Queenie were presented with a book published by the WSF, comprising letters from world leaders and Scouts celebrating His Majesty’s 40th anniversary last year (Queenie was one of the contributors) – His Majesty leapt to his feet and hugged them both!
Then Queenie asked “Please come to see my home!”, how could the King refuse? And so the group set off on foot through the streets of Manila to see her “home” … it may as well have been a presidential palace or a royal castle! The King took Letitia by the hand, discussed life on the streets of Manila, listened attentively, and cared in such a human way … pressed for time by another appointment, he bade Letitia and Queenie his due and walked towards the waiting cars … but stopped when he passed Jerwin, and once again surprised those around him by taking off his own Swedish Scout Scarf and ceremonially presenting it to the inspiring young man who has not only survived but flourished in this programme …. “You will be a great leader one day Jerwin,” said the King proudly. “We will meet again – keep up the good work!”
So many lives were touched today … 41 “street scouts”, a number of proud parents, and one, very caring and very human king ….
His Majesty the King of Sweden is Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation. Through His work he inspires donors to give millions of dollars which is invested in training leaders young and old, and supporting young men and women like Queenie and Jerwin to change, not only their own lives, but those of their families and their communities. But in the way He works Himself, He also inspires so many others to really care!
His Majesty also handed over a cheque for USD100,000 from an anonymous Swiss donor to help pay for future scholarships for these street Scouts and for their peers on other such groups in the Philippines.
