Kensington resident Wendy Sorour was recently presented with a certificate for the Gold President’s Award after completing the requirements for it earlier this year.
The 20-year-old Scout group leader of Third Kensington Sea Scout Group can add the gold award to her collection, which includes the Springbok Award (the highest award for a Scout in Scouts South Africa) and Protea Award (the highest award for a Ranger in the Girl Guide Association of South Africa).
The three awards have a strong emphasis on community service, leadership and learning new skills.
Wendy exercises these skills in service to Scouting as a Scout group leader for Third Kensington Sea Scouts, a Gauteng sea Scout assistant trainer and an active member of the Aurora Rover Crew.
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The President’s Award is affiliated with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and encourages the youth of the world to be involved in community service for an extended period.
It encourages participants to challenge themselves, to learn or improve a skill, be involved in physical activity and participate in an adventurous journey.
Wendy chose to serve the outreach team at her school over and above the service she was already committed to in her church and the Guiding and Scouting movements.
She accumulated over 350 hours of service to her community.
Wendy challenged herself to improve her clarinet-playing skills and in less than two years completed her Grade Six and Seven Unisa practical exams and attained a diploma and gold awards at the National Eisteddfod.
She achieved full colours for music at school, played for the East Rand Youth Orchestra and participated in the Gauteng Chamber Music Festival.
For her physical skill, Wendy challenged herself to learn to dance in a Flamenco Bata de cola (Flamenco long frilled-tail skirt) and completed her Curso eight exam with Alianza Flamenco.
While she was learning Flamenco Bata de cola, Wendy performed at the Roodepoort Theatre with the Ovation Youth Dance Company, where she excelled in her modern, ballet, ballroom and Latin American dance exams.
The Gold President’s Award has an additional challenge where the participant must complete a residential community service project.
Wendy spent a week in Kei Mouth painting a local nursery school where she interacted with children and participated in cultural activities with the community.
“It was so touching to see how such a small act of service meant so much to the people in the community,” said Wendy.
She said the highlight of her award was the challenge of her adventurous journey
Wendy participated in the Cape to St Helena Yacht Race as a crew on the JML Rotary Scout yacht with five younger Scouts and two skippers.
“Facing your fears and sailing for weeks in the vast ocean gives you plenty of time to contemplate life and appreciate the beauty of nature,” explained Wendy.
After three weeks at sea, the crew spent three days exploring St Helena Island before returning home.
Wendy is a third-year BSc Geography and Geospatial Sciences student at the University of the Witwatersrand. She hopes to work in a field that focuses on protecting and preserving the planet.
“The President’s Award offers amazing opportunities to help communities in need and instils a sense of service,” said Wendy.
“It challenges you to better yourself and to always do your best.”
She encouraged the youth over the age of 14 to take up the challenge and register for the award.
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