Sahan, two activity packs on life in Somalia produced by the Irish Girl Guides and Trocaire, artfully impart all sorts of information about the living conditions of girls and women in Somalia. The junior pack is for five to 10-yearolds, the senior for those aged 10 and over. As well as activity sheets the packs include information sheets for adult leaders on conditions in Somalia, a poster and a cassette with songs, music, language, drum beats and more.
An initial 1,200 packs have been printed, 700 for the junior girls and 500 for the seniors but, with the Irish Girl Guides affiliated to a worldwide organisation of some 10 million members, the potential for the packs' use is enormous. Linda Peters, CEO of the Irish Girl Guides, says SAHAN packs have been sent to girl guide centres in London, India, Mexico and Switzerland which have educational programmes for members.
Given their suitability as classroom material, Linda Peters says the Guides would be "willing to share the packs with anyone interested" if funding were forthcoming.
SAHAN is the Somali word for a young person whose job it is to look for lightning, a sighting of which means the family know in which direction to move their animals for water. It is hoped that the packs will encourage those using them to pursue knowledge and understanding in the same way.
