Hi Everyone, My name is Maria and my scouting name is Kookaburra. I am a Joey Scout Leader with 9th Oakleigh Hellenic Scout Group. On the Monday 26th November 2018 as part of our project to earn the "Messenger of Peace" badge our Scout Group 9th Oakleigh Hellenic went to "Estia" Aged Home and spent some time with the elderly. We sang Christmas Carols and engaged in conversations with them, and made sure they felt harmony and peace. It was an absolutely fantastic experience, in which saw benefits not only for our youth members, but adult leaders alike. As soon as the youth members started to sing the carols to the elderly, to see their frowns turn into smiles, was the most rewarding experience of all. The gratitude that showed on their faces will be one to remember for a very long time. We often forget that many elderly are left “alone” or have “no-one” by their side during the festive season it is always hard for them during these times of year. However, our group managed to make them feel happy and known that they are still loved and important in our lives. As our founder Lord Baden-Powell once said “Try to make yourselves better Scouts than ever; try to help other people, especially the poorer people, to be happy, healthy, and helpful citizens like yourselves”–Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Overall, the experience was a rewarding one and it was a  great example of how we all can achieve great things by investing some of our time by “Helping Other People”. I am proud to say that our youth members (Joeys,Cubs,Scouts) and all Adult Leaders have now been rewarded with the "Messengers of Peace" Badge.