Scout Mia takes on community service for Springbok Award
Two out of four major projects completed for scout Springbok Award.
Mia Goyns, a member of the Discovery Scouts, has reached her final advancement level – the Springbok Award.
Over the festive season, she completed her 40-hour community service project called Santa’s Little Helpers, offering meals and other necessities to old residents.
The Springbok Award is a Scout’s highest advancement level in South Africa. It’s considered the equivalent of the Gold President’s Award, but more difficult, and it must be completed before the applicant’s 18th birthday.
To fund her project, Mia started a BackaBuddy campaign last year where she raised R35 000 to support elderly homes like Roodepoort Sentrum vir Bejaardes, Ons Huis Florida, Founders Memorial Congregational Church, Jordan House Old Age Home Frail Care and Residential Facility, Westbury High School, Caroline Village and Radio Cottage.
Mia says she drew inspiration for her community service from her grandfather, who spent nine years in a retirement village.
“We used to visit often, and throughout the years and many visits, it struck me that some of the residents were lonely. The fact that many either did not have family members visiting or didn’t have family was very sad. For us, Christmas is family time, and Oupa would come over, but I always wondered what those other little old grannies and grandpas were doing for Christmas.
“I planned to either provide a hot meal for some, care hampers that include a few basic toiletries for others, electricity vouchers, and water bottles for others and lastly spend time with the residents at these old age homes.
”Through these activities, I hope to learn more about myself and to teach my patrol and other Scouts more about compassion. Without compassion, we cannot function as a society,” she says
For her Springbok level, Mia has four major projects which include the construction of a scale model of London’s iconic Tower Bridge, using traditional scouting techniques of gum poles and ropes, 40 hours of community service, a hike and a camp.
