Thanks to the wonders of the internet and Zoom, Margaret Ikiara, CEO, of Ciford, Meru Kenya was the guest speaker at our February meeting. President Frances welcomed SID members and Soroptimists from other UK clubs to the meeting. Margaret explained that Ciford was established in 2002 to support self sufficiency of the women and families in the north Meru county of Kenya. Margaret discussed the work she and her team do with an increasing number of girls who become teenage mothers. She outlined the risks they run because of poverty and sexual grooming, along with period poverty. A disturbing fact highlighted by Margaret was that a lack of underwear made these girls more vulnerable to rape and sexual abuse. Ciford organises residential programmes to educate the community about FGM- female genital mutilation- and other issues the aim being  to empower the girls with knowledge and

SI Dundee members celebrated Rabbie Burns Birthday with a virtual Burns Supper. Club Member, Sheila, recited the Selkirk Grace and the Address to the Haggis was given by Margaret Bond. Some of the members toasted the occasion with a dram.  

Dear Friendship links I hope the start of this New Year finds you all in good spirits and good health. We are once again in strictest lockdown but maintaining contact by Zoom meetings. Not just with our local members but also with very interesting and enjoyable Zoom sessions with our Friendship links. Our Christmas meeting was shared with SI Anchorage members who joined us early in the morning as they are nine hours behind the UK. We enjoyed an introductory blether, a quiz and carols. Almost all of us sported a Christmas hat. On our first meeting of the year, we welcomed Aratrika Bhattacharya from SI South Kolkata. She is a very well-informed speaker on aspects of domestic violence and gender inequality. Prue, one of our members, heads up the annual Dundee Women’s Festival. A fantastic week-long event of interesting presentations which will be online this

President Frances had planned to take part in the annual New Year’s Day Dook at Broughty Ferry Beach to raise funds for Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia (TCCL), but as it was cancelled due to Covid, she decided to do her own Mini Dook. Frances was supported, on the day, by her husband Matt and several other Soroptimists and friends. Frances has been completely bowled over by the generosity of so many SI members and many others!  So far, she has raised an amazing £1284.00!  She is very grateful, as TCCL will be. Well done Frances.

Human Rights Day 10th December 2020 ; SI Dundee Celebrates with SISK—The Soroptimist Club of South Kolkata- Maureen, Dianne and Prue joined members of SISK and pupils, boys and girls from the local school in Calcutta to mark Human Rights Day. Ms Anuradha Kapoor, founder of Swayam in 1995 gave an excellent talk about the witting and unwitting abuse suffered by women in the home, at work and on the street and the steps that her organisation is taking to raise awareness of women’s rights and to give them support through counselling, legal advice, skills training and practical information.  Initially there were 3 centres in Calcutta but since Covid lockdown they are receiving calls from across India and beyond. Through their links with other agencies and charities they can point women to help in their local area. SISK with IPER have set up a free

On Tuesday December 15th , SI Dundee  Zoomed 4,108 miles to celebrate Christmas with their friendship link, SI Anchorage.   The restrictions of the Covid pandemic have brought clubs closer together as Soroptimists have risen to the challenge of keeping in touch across the internet. A fun and informative evening was held, sharing experiences, quizzing, reciting Christmas and covid themed limericks and singing, while sporting an assortment of Christmas gear. Even Santa attended! We looking forward to more meetings with our friendship link clubs across the world. Sheila McLuckie Friendship Officer

Members of SI Dundee  made a huge effort to support this Appeal. The thought that some children in the city would wake up on Christmas morning without any gifts to open was enough to make members determined to help. President Frances is swamped by full gift bags donated by members of Soroptimist International Dundee Club with a welcome contribution from Beauty Within, Broughty Ferry. These will be passed to members of Dundee City Council Social Work team for distribution to local children. Frances was aided and abetted in getting into the Christmas spirit by Westie, Breagh!

As part of Sixteen Days of Activism several members of SI Dundee joined a webinar hosted by SI South Kolkata- SISK- entitled “Protection-Womb to Tomb”. SISK organised this event, inviting Soroptimists from around the world, to observe ‘International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women’. Veena Lakhumalani  -Social Development Consultant Speakers gave excellent presentations about the difficulties facing the female child in India. The aim of the event was to raise awareness and influence action towards creating a world where ‘the mind is without fear’ for girls and women. This was a very worthwhile event attracting over ninety  virtual attendees. —————————————————————————————- At November’s SI Dundee club meeting, members wore orange to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women.

Over the past nine months of the coronavirus pandemic, SI Dundee member Sheila Mcluckie has organised several collections of toiletries for women in desperate need in the Dundee area. Lockdowns and restrictions have led to an increase in women caught up in domestic abuse with many more than usual seeking help. These women, frequently leave their homes with only the clothes they are wearing, so gifts of such  toiletries are essential and are gratefully received. The toiletries will be delivered to Women’s Aid, the Salvation Army and Women in Criminal Justice System for distribution. Sheila thanks all members and friends who have so generously contributed.

SID Dundee member and Past Region President Prue, who is the Chair of Dundee Women’s Festival, decided to raise funds for next year’s Festival by taking part in the annual Dundee Kilt Walk. This is the second year Prue has taken part in the fundraising Walk. Due to the Covid pandemic and all the restrictions the Walk couldn’t happen in its usual format. Each participant had to organise their own route. Prue walked the 20 kilometres around Dundee taking approximately four hours and forty minutes, with a coffee stop at Dundee’s V&A en route. Prue raised £1005.31 which will be generously match funded by Sir Tom Hunter. Well done Prue.