Club News in Pictures

Soroptimist International Esperance is pleased to have received a generous donation of sanitary pads from Digicel Trinidad & Tobago, collected by their staff at the Head Office in Maraval for the second consecutive year.

**Soroptimist International Esperance raised awareness of the importance of menstrual hygiene and the challenges faced by women** **in the workplace at In–Corr Tech Ltd. San Fernando.**

MAY IS SOROPTIMIST MEMBERSHIP MONTH ~ Dr. Ananda Maharaj was our 5th member to be inducted this year.

MAY IS SOROPTIMIST MEMBERSHIP MONTH ~ Soroptimist International Esperance celebrates its new members! ( L to R) SITT President Dennise Demming, newly inducted members Zobida Jane Apping, Samatha Felix, Membership Officer Charmaine Lutchmansingh, new inductees Candice Chiti, Toanya Rahim and President Rowena Wattley.

Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service!

Marilyn de Castro-Lalla was honoured at Soroptimist International Esperance’s recently concluded AGM for her four decades of commitment to Soroptimism.

Executive Committee 2025

Front row from left: Charmaine Lutchmansingh, Programme Action Officer; Candyce Labban, President Elect; Rowena Wattley, President; Irmin McKenzie, Secretary; Marilyn Lalla, Communications Officer.

Back row from left: Denyse Ewe, Immediate Past President; Keisha Baig-Ramsamooj, Treasurer; Cheryl Boodoosingh, Organisation, Development & Membership Officer; Rabbia Khan, Advocacy Officer; Trisha Dassrath, Vice President; Farah Abdool and Tara Pollonais, Floor Members.

HPV Heroes at Vaccination Week in the Americas!

Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago was proud to support Vaccine Week in the Americas 2025 with an awareness booth at C3 Mall, focusing on the importance of the HPV vaccine.

The Freebird Restaurant in Pointe a Pierre was the venue for a wonderful evening of fellowship and fun. Members of Soroptimist International Esperance were delighted to have SIGBI Federation President Ruth Healey, Federation Programme Director Lindsey Greene and SITT President Dennise Demming as guests.

Members of Soroptimist International Esperance joined in the Autism Awareness walk in Point Fortin. The club continues its support of the Life Skills Centre.

Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago was proud to support Vaccine Week in the Americas 2025 with an awareness booth at C3 Mall, focusing on the importance of the HPV vaccine in protecting our girls and women.

Members of Soroptimist International Esperance educated patrons at JTA Supermarkets about the dire need for sanitary products among disadvantaged students to attend school. The shoppers gave generously to the Esperance Period Positivity Project, which supplies selected schools.

Trinidad Soroptimists were delighted to have the opportunity to meet with the President of the SIGBI Federation Ruth Healey and Programme Director Lindsey Greene shown here with a group of Esperance Soroptimists. (L-R Candyce Labban, Marilyn Lalla, Lindsey Greene, Ruth Healey, Trisha Kimberley Dassrath and Rowena Wattley)

Daren Dhoray of Cybersafett, as part of the Soroptimist International Esperance ‘Be A Buddy, Not A Bully’ Campaign, has empowered students to stand up against bullying in several schools.

Members of Soroptimist International Esperance are proud that our member Denyse Ewe, as SICN Extension Officer, was able to complete the work started by our President Rowena Wattley in seeing the charter of Soroptimist International Sent Lisi (St Lucia) to fruition. SIGBI President Ruth Healey observed the signing of the charter. Congratulations to all of the new Soroptimists!

Soroptimist International Esperance hosted Ryan Bachoo’s first book reading as a part of its literacy programme, pictured here with SITT’s President Dennise Demming.

Members and Prospective Members of SI Esperance celebrated International Women’s Day at the InterClub’s tea at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Soroptimist International Esperance has continued its Period Positivity Project in Barrackpore ASJA Girls’ College with an educational presentation on Coping with Your Period. The club continues to supply selected girls with period products to avoid the necessity for school absence during that time of the month.

**Members and prospective members of Soroptimist International Esperance gathered for a ‘Sisterhood Sunday’ Development Day. It was inspirational and motivational!**

#HumanRightsDay marks the official end of #16DaysOfActivismAgainstGenderBasedViolence, but we cannot stop now! Soroptimist International Esperance will continue to "educate, enable and empower " women to carve out a better lives for themselves. — #HumanRightsDay marks the official end of #16DaysOfActivismAgainstGenderBasedViolence, but we cannot stop now! Soroptimist International Esperance will continue to “educate, enable and empower ” women to carve out a better lives for themselves.

**Novels and textbooks were delivered to several schools.**

Soroptimist International Esperance is proud of the recognition of its member Ursula de Castro by the City of San Fernando, presented by Councillor Marcus Girdharie. At 96, she is still an active member of the club. The award was given "for your dedication and selfless service to the community that promotes the protection of human rights for all and the rejection of violence against our women." — Soroptimist International Esperance is proud of the recognition of its member Ursula de Castro by the City of San Fernando, presented by Councillor Marcus Girdharie. At 96, she is still an active member of the club. The award was given “for your dedication and selfless service to the community that promotes the protection of human rights for all and the rejection of violence against our women.”

The Project Positivity Project continued with a two part seminar run by Soroptimist Fadia Kumar at Barrackpore ASJA Girls' College. It educated the girls on matters concerning menstruation, to enable them to develop a better understanding of the topic. — The Project Positivity Project continued with a two part seminar run by Soroptimist Fadia Kumar at Barrackpore ASJA Girls’ College. It educated the girls on matters concerning menstruation, to enable them to develop a better understanding of the topic.

**Last week Friday we visited the Autism Centre in Point Fortin and donated a much needed 50 inch television as an aid to learning.**

**Over 2000 books collected, cleaned and sorted. Ready for delivery later this week!**

WE DID IT! We had our mammograms. HAVE YOU DONE IT YET? — **WE DID IT!**
**We had our mammograms.**
**HAVE YOU DONE IT YET?**

**The SIGBI Federation has selected many photographs from SI Esperance projects to advertise the work of Soroptimists.**

**‘The four generations of women in this family illustrate the possible age range of Soroptimists. We all stand up for women in our communities.**
**Check our website for the types of membership available to you. Join us!’**

Another of the Esperance photographs which was selected by SIGBI to encourage membership.

President-elect of Esperance Gemma Casimir-Redman in the grounds of the Soroptimist Senior Citizens’ Village with Ramona Smart , Soroptimist International Barbados and current Chair for the Village .

Esperance Soroptimists' Rancho Quemado Estate experience with Nisha Ghosh of SI Pune Metro East in India, who is head of PR and Marketing for our Federation (SIGBI). — Esperance Soroptimists’ Rancho Quemado Estate experience with Nisha Ghosh of SI Pune Metro East in India, who is head of PR and Marketing for our Federation (SIGBI). It was a wonderful day of international friendship!

July 30th is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Your anonymous report make a huge difference in a person's life. Make that effort! — **July 30th is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Your anonymous report make a huge difference in a person’s life. Make that effort!**

#SoroptimistDayofAction on July 16th was eventful! Members expanded the #LeaveNoTrashBehind project in Palmiste Park with additional signage and a mini cleanup. #TrashToTreasure for schools was launched, and the single use plastics collected were weighed for the new collaboration with the all-female Kernaham/Cascadoux Plastics Upcycling & Learning Centre.

**The Esperance Soroptimist team at its Powershots Golf Tournament at Pointe a Pierre Club.**

The Soroptimist International Esperance Executive team for 2022-2023 looks forward to serving the community.(Back row L-R) Cheryl Boodoosingh (Immediate Past President), Charmaine Lutchmansingh, Shallini Gopeesingh, Debra London (Treasurer), Rowena Wattley (O&D Officer), Candyce Labban. Front row L-R) Arianne Dhanukdharrisingh (Fundraising Chair), Rabbia Khan (Vice President), Denyse Ewe (President), Gemma Casimir-Redman (President Elect), Arnella Laloo (Correspondence Secretary), Marilyn Lalla (Communications Officer). (Not present) Tara Pollonais (Programme Action Officer), Jayanti Lutchmedial (Membership Officer), Trisha Dassrath (Minuting Secretary). — **The Soroptimist International Esperance Executive team for 2022-2023 looks forward to serving the community.**
**(Back row L-R) Cheryl Boodoosingh (Immediate Past President), Charmaine Lutchmansingh, Shallini Gopeesingh, Debra London (Treasurer), Rowena Wattley (O&D Officer), Candyce Labban.**
Front row L-R) Arianne Dhanukdharrisingh (Fundraising Chair), Rabbia Khan (Vice President), Denyse Ewe (President), Gemma Casimir-Redman (President Elect), Arnella Laloo (Correspondence Secretary), Marilyn Lalla (Communications Officer).
**(Not present) Tara Pollonais (Programme Action Officer), Jayanti Lutchmedial (Membership Officer), Trisha Dassrath (Minuting Secretary).**

Esperance Soroptimists Patricia Campbell, Rabbia Khan and Marilyn Lalla with requested supplies to be donated to The Life Skills Centre, the southern branch of The Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago, to mark Autism Awareness Month.

Congratulations to Rabbia Khan, Vice President of Soroptimist International Esperance and President of The InterClub of Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 . She received her ministerial letter of appointment for the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons Working Group from Minister of National Security, the Honorable Fitzgerald Hinds.

**One of the newest members of Soroptimist International Esperance, Amy Balchan, was one of the painting crew. The club is in the process of painting benches orange to affix slogans to them.**

#CovidComfort ~ Hampers of Hope. SI Esperance received donations from the public to collect and distribute 100 hampers to needy rural families. — **#CovidComfort ~ Hampers of Hope.**
**SI Esperance received enough donations from the public to ultimately purchase and distribute over 600 hampers to needy rural families.**

**#CovidComfort ~ Growing Food for Hope**

A bird’s eye view for the work of Soroptimist International Esperance during the first two years of its existence. The members sincerely thank the many supporters of the club who assisted in any way to facilitate their efforts to educate, enable and empower women and girls.

Soroptimist International Esperance held a Virtual Friendship Day in which Soroptimists of T&T displayed their achievements and talents. SI Esperance submitted this silent movie which celebrates the Roaring 20s, the period in which Soroptimism began. The first Soroptimist President was Violet Richardson of Oakland, California on October 3rd, 1921.