One of our main contributors of fabric, Team Tots at Eastwood have taken on an apprentice. She has learnt to use each of the sewing machines by making 90 dresses for our Africa Project. Gill Curry has also delivered Team Tots substandard babywear to a Maternity Clinic in Sierra Leone. All new babies are kitted out in clothes, given a blanket and soap. The mothers are delighted with these gifts.

After receiving some sponsorship from SI Mansfield, Eleanor fulfilled her promise to speak about her journey to India. President Diane welcomed and introduced, Eleanor, who gave us a short power point presentation of her experience earlier this year in India. Eleanor spent 3 months in the Tamil Nadu region of India, as a youth volunteer with the Charity, ‘Restless Development’ part of a U.K. backed scheme, International Citizens Service. Eleanor told us she suffered, culture shock++, having left a privileged home life, she found herself responsible for her own washing,(in a bucket!’, getting meals ready,(mainly rice),sleeping on the floor in,(rooms of mixed sex and nationality),bare feet indoors only,(allowing the monkeys to steal her Birkenstocks!). Eleanor amongst several other volunteers, was hospitalised with dehydration caused by stomach upsets, but assured us she soon recovered, after receiving intravenous fluids. In essence, her message was very positive, she

Gill gave a power point presentation, on their Club’s work supporting, the, Kori Women’s Development Project, in Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world, and epi centre of the Ebola crisis. Gill and other S.I. members will be visiting, many villages in the country, in October this year, preceded by a packed shipping container.                                     Previous containers have included everything from, gardening implements to, bedding, clothing, books, pots and pans, soap and feminine hygiene requirements, seed, rice, and even stackable school chairs! On leaving Mansfield this week, Gill’s car was packed with, 113 dresses, made by Mansfield members, bringing the total to, 492 dresses made in 18 months. Three large bags of baby wear, donated by ‘Team Tots’ of Eastwood, 1 bag of assorted children’s clothes,1 bag of underwear, and a cheque for £100.00. As Gill say’s, nothing is refused, and they will

We met early morning 8.30am at what they term ‘breakfast socialise’ the equivalent of our club meetings, they meet early to avoid the baking high temperatures often in triple digits. The meeting are 7.30-9am and includes a speaker and food. An executive  meeting follows and they kindly included me in on this occasion.  SI Gold Canyon was chartered in 2005 with 15 members their current membership is 30 with hopes for 5-8 new members within 2018. It is likely due to events such as ‘Pearls and Pyjamas ‘event a big now annual event where up to 70 entrants, where people come for dress up in ‘Pyjamas and Pearls’, prizes for the best dressed, and SI is discussed, handouts given and often results in new members president Melody – feels” it’s good for  members as a refresher and to focus  new members  interest and enthusiasm. Photo shows members of

International Projects Committee Welcome Guests from England Several members of the International Projects committee recently welcomed members of SI Mansfield & District, England to San Diego.  The group met for lunch at the Guadalajara Grill in Old Town. The Mansfield & District Club was chartered in 1957 and has developed into a lively, energetic and committed group of 40 members.  President Eileen Stewart tells us that Programme Action is at the forefront of their fundraising activities and their events are so popular that community members who attend and support them ask when they will be organizing their next event.