I am honoured and humbled to take on the task of President of S.I. Mansfield after a significant year (our Diamond anniversary). Well done! I will do my utmost to meet your expectations, however, I cannot achieve this on my own although, I am convinced that with your support, we will successfully meet the goals and objectives of raising monies, learning from each other, having fun, indulging in delicious food & company, and also raising our profile as Soroptimist and indeed facing and sustaining our future together with collective efforts. For those who do not know me well, this is my 2nd time round as President – it was about 11 years ago when I took the role – after only 4 years into being a member and I have certainly learnt an awful lot since than despite my naivety. To be honest, I have

President Kam chosen charity MMUK introduced guest speaker, Deputy Sister Ranji at her first supper meeting. Mercy Malaysia UK are delivering life changing cleft lip and /or palate surgery to the children of Myanmar. Cleft lip or palate affects 1 in every  600 births worldwide.  With the necessary surgery, children and adults can have a life of social stigma and medical problems. Unfortunately for families in some parts of the world surgery can be  financially prohibitive, MMUK a registered UK charity are hoping to change this. Ranji spoke of her team made up of volunteers from  Nottingham University Hospitals, experts in this field of surgery from Nottingham’s own centre of excellence at the Queen’s Medical Centre. The team will collaborate with Sithagu Hospital their local partners in identifying patients and performing the surgery. The team will also teach cleft care to hospital staff. The team

Members staged an display in Mansfield Museum on March 8th The pictures and posters show the work which SI Mansfield contributes to, making life better for women and girls around the world

This last week we have said well done to Diane, last years President for our Diamond celebration year who has had a successful time raising funds for Fountaindale School and the Diamond education Fund. She passed the Regalia on to President Kam who is undertaking her second term in office. This year will see members raising funds for Mind and Mercy Malaysia, a project close to kam’s heart. This charity provides humanitarian and medical aid to vulnerable communities locally and internationally. Kam talked about her forth coming year and the after dinner guest speakers who will enlighten members. We will be celebrating the Chinese New Year and members have been asked to wear a red and gold theme dress for this supper meeting. International Women’s Day will be celebrated at the  Spring Water Chinese Restaurant.

Mrs Shirley Whitfield talked to the members about her working life making hats and theatrical costumes. She started her apprenticeship in London at L&H Nathens, theatrical costumers established in 1790 situated off the Haymarket in London. She has made costumes and hats for television and the Theatres including Covent Garden ballet and opera productions .She talked about when she renewed the ermine collars from the pageantry outfits (Lords and regal dress) and replaced with rabbit, and  films where she created costumes for the artists to wear. She eventually moved with her husband to Nottingham and she went to work at the Nottingham Playhouse as Wardrobe mistress and she bought a selection of hats which she had made during her working life

Leslie Taylor, Education Officer for the Veolia Waste Management company, spoke to club members recently. The company began in France in the 1800’s and has steadily grown  and covers the following areas, Environmental Services, Renewable Energy, Waste, Water treatments and Transport. Leslie spoke about Household recycling and how to sort out recyclable waste from contaminants. All paper and card is recyclable. Steel and Aluminium cans and these need to be cleaned to prevent food contamination of the paper goods. Plastic containers without the tops are acceptable. No hard plastics at all. Everything that is placed in the recycle bin should be washed before depositing. The biggest contaminant is Pizza boxes, these are not acceptable. A good talk which opened our eyes into management of waste.

This is Jestina looking well after having Abdominal surgery. She is awaiting transport for her 200 mile journey back home. This means that she will be at home for Christmas. Jestina should be able to live a normal life when she has fully recovered. A 12 year old girl who had suffered with an Umbilical Hernia since birth.

Jestina is a 12 year old girl from warima village. During our trip to Sierra Leone  in October her school came to see us and her teacher showed us  Jestina huge Umbilical Hernia that she was was suffering from, She ask us for help as the family had no money for this surgery.  Gill Curry contacted S.I Mansfield club who immediately sent funds for this procedure. Thank You Mammy Queen Gill and a big thank you to SI Mansfield club and our brother Mr Daniel Kaindaneh who received the funds and ensured that the girl had the surgery performed safely in Bo government hospital