Jenny Vince, President of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, was the special guest at SI South Lancashire’s autumn meetings.
As the highlight of Programme Action session, she gave a comprehensive roundup of service projects throughout the Federation. The diversity of projects was considerable including human trafficking, welfare of elderly people and women in prison.
President Jenny then explained in more detail about one example, the Kori Development Project, Sierra Leone. This award-winning scheme, set up and supported by members of SI Thames Valley, works with the Kori community to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM). Through education, agricultural aid, micro-loans and other means, cultural views are shifting and this practice is slowly declining.
Margaret Molyneux, Regional Programme Action Officer, said “Today was special. Firstly, we found out a lot more about the worldwide impact of Soroptimists’ service from someone who has seen so much life-changing work at first hand.
“Secondly, I was delighted to announce the winner of this year’s Regional Programme Action Award – SI St Helens. Their World War One project involved the whole club, a wide cross-section of the local community, and many of Soroptimist International’s key objectives.”
During her visit President Jenny took the opportunity of engaging many members in conversation, learning more about projects in South Lancashire and discussing current issues affecting clubs.
