Chinese staff and students share traditions with Brownies and Guides

Chinese students and a member of staff from Harper Adams University visited a Brownie and Guide group yesterday (Monday) to teach the young members about Chinese culture in celebration of Chinese New Year.

Kai Ma, International Officer, introduced the girls of the 1st Church Aston Brownie unit to the story behind Chinese New Year and the Chinese zodiac. The girls learnt which year they were born in while creating cut-outs of the Chinese symbol for 'happiness' from red paper.

After a competition to see who had created the best symbol, the two teams were rewarded with good wishes from Kai for the new year. In order to receive their wishes, both groups of girls chose what they wanted to wish for; one choosing good luck for everyone and the other happiness for everyone. Kai wrote these wishes on red paper in Chinese caligraphy.

At the same time, the 1st Church Aston Guides were busy in the kitchen with two Chinese students from Harper Adams creating the Chinese favourite of dumplings. It proved to be slightly challenging, but the girls were keen to learn and eventually made the yummy favourite to take home with them.

The group's Brown Owl Adreen Hart-Rule said: "It's brilliant for the girls to learn about Chinese tradition at such an important time of the year, and I'm so thankful that Kai and the students were able to come and share their country with the girls. They've learnt a lot and it's great to see them having such a great time."