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Girl Guide diplomacy

Local woman travels to Peru to do good deeds for local community
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maryna Ell with her roommate and her host family in Peru.

Maryna Ells is a 17 year old woman on a mission.  Having sewn over 30 bears for children in need, she set her sites on international travel through the Girl Guides this past summer.  She was one of 16 girls in all of Canada selected through the Girl Guides to travel to Peru.  This adventure included living for a week with host families, (who did not speak English), community service work which included building an ecological adobe stove, cleaning up the community, serving breakfast to the schools and running activities for the local youth.  She was also able to participate in a bit of touring which included a trip to Machu Picchu.

It was a life-changing experience for her.  Maryna developed immense confidence, strong friendships, many new skills, and a greater appreciation for many things Canadian and a new found

love for her home…Sooke.

Asked what should would say to young girls and women interested in joining Girl Guides, she had this to say:  “Join it.  Try it.  You will be rewarded with new friends, wonderful experiences and amazing adventures.  Girl Guides allows you to grow into being a leader for girls and offers plenty of opportunities for adults.”

Maryna foresees a future as a paediatric nurse, but in the mean time she is excited to continue attending workshops, learning public relations and tapping into the ocean of opportunities available through Girl Guides of Canada.