Children and Youth Ministry

1ST DOMINICA GIRLS BRIGADE COMPANY
By Makeda Victor
“Seek, Serve and Follow Christ”

The Girls Life Brigade Company was started in Marigot around 1963. It was a combination of girls groups in the Church at the time. The Girls Life Brigade later became the 1st Dominica Girls Brigade Company.

One of our longest serving members was Mrs. Barbara Tonge better known as Teacher Barbara, who served as our Captain for over 15 years. There were some other officers who served such as Ophelia Abraham, Ethelcah Nelson, Etta Dinnard, Georgina Liburd, Agnes Samuel, Claudia Carlton, Lois Bristol and Jennifer Joseph. At present we have Captain Jonella Victor and Officer Jennifer Pascal.

The Girls Life Brigade followed a four square program which we still follow today: (spiritual, physical, educational and service). The Officers and Girls attended either a Girls’ or Officers’ Camp, depending on which was going on that year in a island where Girls Brigade was active Today there are fewer and fewer camps as they have become very costly to attend. There was good support from persons like wives of serving Ministers — Mrs. Hodge, Mrs. Dash, Mrs. Gill and Miss Doyle.

Activities such as cooking, needle work, bible study, drilling and fundraising efforts were the order of the day and still continues today.

The uniforms differed slightly back then, when they were required to wear light blue dresses with navy blue belts, white socks and black men shoe. Officers wore full white dresses along with white shoe. Inspection of uniforms was done every third Saturday before parade on Sunday. Today the colours have not changed but shirts and skirts are used instead of dresses, with ties of different colours based on the age of the girl.

Girls Brigade is still going strong in Marigot and we hope it stays that way for generations to come.