After Lord Baden Powell set up the Boy Scouts, the girls wanted 'their' own group, so together with Lady Olave they started the Girl Guides Movement in the UK which grew into an international association with members all over the world. In Malta, the Girl Guides Association started in 1923 and today enjoys a membership of over 1,600 girls in the Maltese Islands. One of the relatively newer units to be set up has been the 18th Marsascala Girl Guides Unit. Attempts where made to start the Girl Guides in Marsascala during the forties, but this lasted a short while. Another attempt was made in the 1970's by some women and the Unit actually existed for some years and again closed down. The third attempt (third time lucky!) was made in 1995 when a group of women started their training to become Guides in order to form and lead a local unit group inMarsascala.

            A public meeting was held at the historical St Thomas Tower in January 1996 and over forty girls enrolled at this meeting. New sections comprising of 'Dolphins' aged 5-7 yrs, 'Brownies' aged 7-10 yrs and 'Guides' aged 11-14 yrs where formed. The Guiders at this period included: Lydia Camilleri and Bernardette Farrugia (Dolphins), Marvic Attard Gialanze and Marisa Hopkins (Brownies), Elaine Bonnici and Geraldine Jones (Guides). Later Bernardette Farrugia was substituted by Christine Cauchi, and Debbie Mizzi took over the New Rangers Group (for girls aged over 14yrs). A crucial problem with the passage of time was the lack of adequate premises for the group whose members swelled to 90 girls within a few months. The local Church had kindly made available an old disused Chapel known locally as 'Our Lady of the Gild', but this had no sanitary facilities, no water supply and lack of ventilation. It's small size made it impossible for the girls to hold joint activities or recreational exercises so important to young people's welfare.

            Despite these problems, the 18th Marsascala Girl Guides Unit still managed to carry out with its program of activities, with great sacrifices by the Guides, the children and their parents. Following a request to the local council for alternative premises, the Girl Guides where encouraged to apply for the use of part of the local Police Station which was not being used and which needed some maintenance works to be carried out. This site proved to be ideal for the Girl Guides since it had two rooms and a large yard which was perfect for the various types of activities undertaken by the Girl Guides which include crafts, physical exercise, parade drills, 'cook outs', camping' survival exercises, games, educational activities, etc. The Girl Guides applied to the relevant Authorities and following meetings with the Commissioner of Police who agreed to share the premises with the Guides and the co-operation of the Minister for the Interior , the Hon. T.Borg together with the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sports, the Hon. J.Mugliette, arrangements where made for the Girl Guides to be handed over the keys to part of the property by the Police. At first glance, the Guides were dismayed at the state of the property which had overgrown needs, leaking roofs, damaged windows, etc. However a meeting for parents was called and an appeal was made for collaboration and help by the children's parents who responded very kindly. Since the property is over 200 years old, care had to be taken in it's restoration, an expert from a local heritage trust was called in to give advice. Parents turned up to clean two truckloads of garbage, weeds and rubble which had accumulated in the property. A fund raising campaign has been initiated in order to raise the needed funds to restore this property. It is estimated that 4,000 US Dollars are needed for it's restoration.

            The 18th Marsascala Girl Guides are a voluntary, non-profit making youth group which helps girls to achieve leadership skills, character formation and to have a sense of civic and community pride. Funds can only be raised through arduous fund raising or through donations sent by kind individuals/companies who care about our youth and our historical environment. Donations may be made to Bank of Valletta (Malta) account No:xxxxxxxxxxxxx or xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx via credit card, money order, cheque, cash, etc. directly to the 18th Marsascala Girl Guides Unit, c/o The Old Police Station, Triq iz-Zonqor, Marsascala ZBR 09, Malta, Europe. Guides may be contacted on telephone numbers, 0356 637555, 0356 639733, 0356639829, 0356 807561. Donations are always acknowledged by mail and passing visitors/tourists always welcome to visit our Unit. As part of their Civic commitment the Marsascala Girl Guides 'adopted' a lonely elderly lady of 86years who lives near our premises as our "Honorary Grandmother", Gran Ermelinda, as she is known, is loved by all 90 girls who take a keen interest in her welfare. Yet another 'adoptee' is a young stray kitten, "Kitty" who has become our Mascot.