Doncaster and Chennai
Doncaster Friendship Link
The Friendship Link between members of SI Barry and District and members of SI Doncaster began on an informal basis when members of both clubs met and began chatting at the Federation Conference in Bournemouth in 1998. SI Barry member Muriel suggested the two clubs could form a friendship link. Exchanges of Christmas cards followed and in 1999 the contact was formalised into an official Friendship Link between the two clubs. Members have met at subsequent conferences and in 2005, President Irene and President Elect Pam visited SI Doncaster to join them for their Annual Lunch, staying with Jean and Hugh and were shown typical Yorkshire hospitality by the club during their visit. The following year, Jean and Hugh visited SI Barry for their Annual Lunch and this pattern has continued for some years with members visiting each other’s club on an annual basis.
SI Doncaster undertook a project to support a village in Uganda and SI Barry was delighted to support them by collecting sewing machines and other items which were transported on to Doncaster and then onwards to Uganda. Members of both clubs met up for a very enjoyable meal together in a restaurant in Cardiff Bay on the evening before the Federation Conference in Cardiff. The clubs are currently looking to work on another project together to continue this fruitful friendship.
Chennai Friendship Link
President Marie (2008-09) very much saw the value of an international link and asked Club member Carol, who with her husband Gareth, has set up and runs a Children’s Orphanage in the Tamil Nadu region of India, to try and initiate a Friendship Link in that region. Carol chose Chennai (formerly known as Madras), as it is an area she and her husband spend a few days annually on their way back from their Children’s Home further south.
Carol selected Chennai Downtown out of three clubs in the city, made contact by e-mail and received an immediate response from their co-ordinator who coincidentally had spent some years very close to Barry in her early career. Since that time contact has been frequent and fruitful.
Carol first met with some club members in Chennai in January 2008 and visited one of their projects at a Women’s Refuge in Chennai. This much-needed refuge established by NGOs very much-needed refurbishment and the Chennai Club raised funds to tile and decorate the communal room. During her visit Carol was appalled by the sleeping conditions for those women with children who seek refuge. They share a run down, gloomy dormitory with no privacy and nothing to raise the spirits. She made an immediate donation towards its refurbishment and since then we in Barry have raised more funds through the sale of eco-friendly shopping bags. Female survivors of the Tsunami who had lost their male relatives made these very attractive bags and this project was initiated and carried out by a member of the Chennai Club assisted by fellow members.
This same member, Naina Shah, recently attended the Federation Conference in Cardiff where Club members had a chance to meet her and discuss the possibility of assisting with further projects. Members hope to create a very tangible and active link between the two Clubs as it is felt that Friendship Links should be as much about such service as about an exchange of ideas and social events.