The Itala Foundation Charity was set up in 2006 and today the school offers free education to children and adults. Grade 7 pupils gain 100% pass rates in their final exams and the adult classes achieve pass rates of over 85%.

The Welsh Government recently awarded the Itala Foundation and its supporters the five star award for Wales Africa Community Links.

Presentation of a road sign at the Award Ceremony.

Bangor Soroptimists, Sian Kent,and Gwenda Morgan Jones (4th right in picture) are trustees of the Itala Foundation.

Pupil outside the new school building.

A one day Conference was held on Saturday, 20th April,  at The KIng’s School, Chester.

The Conference was to celebrate Young Women of Achievement in the Community. Four of the young women shortlisted gave presentations about their work, and Danielle Jeavons Hughes, proposed by SI Runcorn, Frodsham & District, was voted the winner by delegates at the conference.

Danielle was presented with the award by Guest Speaker, Lisa Potts GM, who had earlier in the day given a fascinating account of her life since being injured in 1996, whilst protecting her nursery school pupils from a machete attack by a man with severe mental health problems.

Danielle accepts her award from Lisa Potts GM.

The other Guest Speaker was Hilary Ratcliffe, Soroptimist International Programme Director, who gave an interesting talk on her work and how our work in clubs contributes at an international level.

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

President Susan hired a boat to sail over the famous aqueduct and members enjoyed coffee and bara brith on board, whilst raising awareness of International Women’s Day.  They were joined by Welsh Assembly Member for North Wales, Aled Roberts, and also by Jill Grainger from Wrexham Council, who gave a short presentation on Trafficking.

Members of Clubs in Cheshire, North Wales & Wirral on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the achievements of women past, present and future.  For the fourth time the theme of this day was that of Peace and Development.  By joining together on bridges around the world women are showing that they can build the bridges of peace for the future.  The Campaign was initiated by the organisation Women for Women International and calls for equal and better representation of women to build peace and say no to inequality and injustice.  Soroptimist International are proud to work in partnership with them.

Soroptimists Stand for Malala

At the Regional Meeting held in Mold on Saturday,10th November, members stood to support Malala, the school girl from Pakistan shot for her fight for education.  We were joined by many other Soroptimists throughout the country who stood in silent vigils on this day.  For further information please see our main website www.sigbi.org

At a recent meeting members heard a presentation about Chester Women’s Services and at the April meeting the speaker was Soroptimist Helen Owen, who is an Ambassador for the Soroptimist International Educate to Lead for Global Impact project.

A number of projects are now being planned by the group, including a Day of Action on July 20th to support the ‘BIG Project’ (Birthing in The Gambia).

The next meeting will be held on:

Monday, 13th May at 7.30pm, at:

Save the Family,

Cotton Hall Farm, Clotton Lane

Cotton Edmunds,

Chester CH3 7PZ

There will be a small charge of £3.50.

Why not  come along and learn more about the work of Soroptimist International, meet potential new members and gain an understanding of what an incredible organisation Soroptimist International is for women.

For further information contact us at:

soroptimistsinchester@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.

Incoming President Susan Jones with outgoing President Cherry Povall

Much of the conference was recorded and can be viewed on the Federation Website:www.sigbi.org

To view photographs of the conference please visit:

www.harrisonphotography.co.uk

President Cherry with Pauline Daniels

On the 7^th September, a glorious sunny day, members from clubs across

the Region enjoyed a scenic coach tour of the Wirral, which included the

picturesque villages of Thornton Hough, Brimstage and Port Sunlight,

followed by a drive, via Birkenhead, up to New Brighton in the north of

the Wirral and back along the Dee Estuary, taking in Meols, Hoylake,

West Kirby and finally Heswall.

We then enjoyed lunch at The Grange in Thornton Hough.  There were stalls selling jewellery, handbags and cards, as well as an excellent Tombola and Raffle.

After lunch we were kept amused by Birkenhead Comedienne, Pauline Daniels.

We hope that the proceeds from this interesting and fun day out will help to finance our stand at the Cheshire Show in 2013.

On the Coach

Jewellery for the shoppers

And Handbags too!