Soroptimist International Haverfordwest and District – International Aspects
You have heard about the local and national aspects of the Club’s work but what about the ’International’ dimension.
As an Organisation we are a ‘global voice for women’ and SI Haverfordwest has played its part.It has always looked outwards and has actively engaged in international project work and …….has always had members with a penchant for international travel.
I remember seeing a black and white photograph of some of our founder members boarding an ocean going liner en route to an international gathering in some far flung corner of the globe and thinking ‘goodness and I complain about having to fly somewhere’.
It has been the Club’s ability to embrace the wider dimensions of the Organisation that has strengthened it.
To date the Club has produced four Regional Secretaries ,three Regional Presidents, one Federation Benevolent Fund Representative, a Programme Action Chairman for Wales who served at Federation level, a Federation President and an International postholder.
Not bad going for a Club in Pembrokeshire.
However, it is the experience gained by members through their engagement that has really added value.
By all accounts a visit to Washington DC in the early 80s was an eye opener on more ways than one as indeed was the visit to our link club in Yonkers ( NY State).
Hong Kong and the Far East followed and this was where the issue of ‘Trafficking’ was first encountered ,little did members think then that it would become an area of concern much closer to home and be the focus of our programme work here.
San Francisco raised our awareness of the genocide in Rwanda and led to the development , by SIE,of the Peace Walk held annually in Rwanda.
Then South Africa beckoned and the realities of life within that society hit home.
Fun followed and it was ‘party time’ as we headed for Barbados. I know it was really tough for the Club to have a member installed as Federation President there !
Montreal followed and the Club had its first International Appointment.
The range of the work undertaken globally is quite phenomenal and our focus is now on ‘educate to lead’ recognising that, despite advances, education of the girl child is still a key issue.
Carwen Wynne Howells. Club President 2012-13
