A small group of members had a really enjoyable time recently, walking in Heartwood Forest on a lovely Sunday morning in July. Several other things came out of the walk – a discussion about forced marriage and some funds for the BIG Project. The walk was our day of action in aid of the BIG Project – the SIGBI Project – Birthing in the Gambia and we collected £34. During the walk several of us discussed the book “Shame” by Jasvinder Singhera which we had all read. This autobiography tells the story of how Jasvinder ran away from a forced marriage and how, following the sucide of her sister who was forced into a brutal marriage, Jasvinder set up the charity Karma Nirvana to help other women in similar situations.   Having developed an appetite we then repaired to the Rose and Crown in Sandridge

Amy Cartlidge came to speak to the Club about Ovarian Cancer and the work of the charity Target Ovarian Cancer. Amy (pictured here on the left next to Club President Helen Byrne) is the Fundraising Manager for the charity and was able to give us in depth information about this terrible disease that kills 4,500 women in the UK every year (compared to 950 women who die each year from cervical cancer). For more information see the Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland website www.sigbi.org/2012/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month-march-2012/ and the Target Ovarian Cancer website www.targetovariancancer.org.uk/ Soroptimists are working with charities like Target to raise awareness of the disease which could save 3,000 lives/year. March is Ovarian Cancer Awarness Month – so join in with any events to support this deserving cause. Research has shown that the key symptoms to be aware of are: ·         Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain (that’s your tummy

St Albans Soroptimists marked World Environment Day with a guided walk for members and friends (including the 4 legged variety!) in Heartwood Forest, near Sandridge. The Woodland Trust has the opportunity to create the largest native forest in England. On the walk we learnt that 300,000 trees have already been planted and another 300,000 will be planted. The photos are of Pound Wood, ancient woodland where Heartwood got its name from the heart shaped leaves of the lime trees in that wood and a view across the poppy fields when we came out of the woods.  For more about Heartwood Forest see: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/support-us/appeals/england/heartwood-forest/ For more about World Environment Day see: www.sigbi.org/2012/world-environment-day-5th-june-2012/

Latin Party Sizzler of a Success   The St Albans Soroptimists Latin Jazz and Dance Evening was a sizzler of a success – raising £1000 for the St Albans & Hertsmere Women’s Refuge. Pictured here is Mish getting the party going with a Salsa demo (that’s after a Mojito cocktail) and the wonderful local professional band “Semafour” with guest singer Yvette Byrne who got everyone tangoing onto the dance floor.        

Peace – Dr Karambu Ringera speaks to Club Club member Diana Kingham, brought the inpirational Dr Karambu Ringera from Kenya along to speak to us. Dr Ringera spoke to us about how she came to create an orphanage and organisation (International Peace Initiatives) to help Kenyan women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has a unique philosopy about helping people to help themselves ,which she developed as a result of her relationships with the women in her project. Please see the website for more information and to find out how you can support her organisation www.ipeacei.org Dr Ringera’s words are as powerful in this video of a presentation to the University of Denver where she studied as they were in person. She has a way of connecting with you through her openess and honesty www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ib-jqgF88g The Club is now fundraising to support the wonderful work Karambu is doing