Girl Scouts around the world pen powerful letters about hopes for a better world
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world are writing powerful letters to share their hopes, ambitions and fears for the future. The letters are part of a campaign by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts encouraging members to write about issues affecting them.
From Syria to the Philippines, young women around the world have put pen to paper sharing their experiences of growing up and the difficulties they face, and their hopes for change.
'People are the same, no matter how we look'
A 12-year-old unnamed Girl Guide from Greece shared her experience of carrying out aid work with refugees.
"In the last few months a large number of people have come to my country during their journey to a better place in order to build a new life away from the war," she wrote. "People are the same, no matter how we look or what language we speak."
'I am worried about my future'
"Being a girl who is growing up in Greece is quite pleasant but it's also difficult. First of all I am proud that my country has many scientists, but at this time in Greece, due to the economic crisis I am worried about my future," wrote Konstantina, 16.
'Girls should feel what it's like to be strong'
22-year-old Zain from Syria shared her hope for other women to feel in charge of their lives.
"Girls all around the world should feel what it's like to be strong, to stand up for your rights and beliefs and to be in charge of their lives," she wrote. "Here in your country and all around the world, girls should have this power and take control for their destinies."
'Breaking barriers with each step'
"Pakistani girls do not just reach for the stars, they determinedly work towards achieving their aims and breaking barriers with each step," wrote Laiba from Pakistan.
'Growing up in Liberia is so hard'
"Growing up in Liberia is so hard but with the help of guiding we learn to smile under all difficulties," wrote Chimweh from Liberia.
"With guiding you learn how to be a friend to all and respect every other culture. Many girls in my school and community have learned so much from guiding and scouting as well."
'Girls grow up believing their opinions are not as important as boys''
"In regions, girls grow up believing their opinions are not as important as boys' and because of that they do not try to speak up. But this is changing continuously," wrote 14-year-old Tata in Georgia.
Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.
A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.
Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
