We were told by members of SI Blantyre back in November at Conference that they were trying to get a second Soroptimist club started in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.  Now Pricilla Matinga from SI Blantyre has sent us the exciting news that this club has been started. Pricilla has also sent a photo of SI Blantyre’s hand over of more uniforms to girls at a school they support. She tells us that selected students from this rural state school were invited to a quiz competition with the students from the private school owned by Judith Chirwa (President of SI Blantyre last year), together with students from a school for City residents.   Pricilla says that this was to expose the sponsored students to ‘other life styles’. You can read more about Judith here – www.chifundomalawi.org/content/mrs-judith-penchirwa

Tricia Weinbren became president of SI Kenilworth & District at the AGM on 14th  April 2016. The theme for Tricia’s year is ‘Women united in the 21st Century’.  In her inaugural speech, Tricia said “It is a tremendous honour to be the president this year and I am delighted to have this opportunity to focus on the way in which women across the world are enabled to communicate through the advent of mass communication. As president I will deliver a year of activities that support women’s rights, technology development and fund raising for charity.” During Tricia’s year at a local level the club will continue to support the Women’s Refuge, Myton Hospice and Look Good, Feel Better – a cancer support charity. Nationally we will support and fund raise for Ovarian Cancer and internationally we will continue to fund raise to support “Friends of Sick

Our annual Midland Arden Public Speaking Competition took place in the prestigious Council Chambers of Dudley. Principle guests included the  Mayor and Mayoress of  Dudley along with Mr J K  Sharma Consulate General of India. Also in attendance was Immediate Past International President Ann Garvie, Immediate Past Federation President Jenny Vince and Midland Arden  Regional President Susan Roxburgh. Parents, teachers, friends, and Soroptimists gave their support to  7 candidates who spoke exceptionally well on a variety of subjects. The winner of The 1st prize Trophy plus £150 was Lydia Robinson whose chosen subject “No Great Genius has been without some Madness” Lydia was sponsored by SI Stourbridge. The winner of the 2nd Prize Trophy plus £75 was Oliver Webb whose chosen subject was “Social Media – Master or Servant (friend or Foe)”. Oliver was sponsored by SI Leamington & Warwick. The 3rd Prize Trophy plus £25 went to

Recently, members decorated a Christmas tree in the St Nicholas Church, Kenilworth, display. The theme was purple and white to recognise the club’s support for the Purple Teardrop campaign. Purple Teardrop is a Soroptimist International initiative against human trafficking and the exploitation of women and girls. Purple is the colour of the campaign.  

Here is a good way of using up oddments from your wool stash. Tiny hats for premature babies and bigger hats for babies in the malnutrition wards can be any colour, the brighter the better are always needed, as are knitted socks. Follow the link for patterns: Knitting for babies

    Here are the links to some video clips shown at the 2015 conference that you may find of interest: Caught in the traffick – about the grooming of young women The locust effect – about everyday violence Millenium goals 2030 – young people’s opinion of them