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VSO Volunteer Reports Back on Kenya Experience

VSO Volunteer Reports Back on Kenya Experience

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Last September Elizabeth Sarney went to Kenya as a VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) Volunteer. The Club welcomed her back to tell Members all about it. Elizabeth is pictured here showing her photos at the Club meeting.  Elizabeth works as a fundraiser for the charity “Freedom from Torture”. She decided to take a 3 month sabbatical to work as a VSO volunteer participating in the International Citizen Service programme in Kenya last September and had to raise £1500 for VSO to be allowed to participate. She came along to the Club last year to tell us about her plans and to sell us some home-made cakes, and we were able to send her away with a donation of £66 and a promise to come back and tell us about her adventures! Elizabeth was based in Malindi, and was working on projects supported by DFID. She worked in a team of 16 where

Refuge Values Club’s Fundraising

Refuge Values Club’s Fundraising

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The St Albans & District Soroptimists raised an amazing £1430 for the St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge in the club year 2012/13 – even though the Club supported 2 charities this year!  Sara and Liz, Managers at the Refuge, couldn’t believe their eyes when the cheque was presented to them by the Club (see picture). Sara and Liz gave an update on the Refuge – advising that the demand for services from the Refuge are at an all time high at a time when their funding has been cut.The women they care for are fragile and vulnerable – often with complex needs including mental health issues and drug and alcohol problems. They have 22 residential rooms for women and their children and their outreach work reaches 120/130 women a month. The Refuge has used some of the money raised by Soroptimists to help fund educational programmes for victims of domestic abuse. This

Peace: International Women’s Day St Albans

Peace: International Women’s Day St Albans

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“Peace” on a bridge in St Albans: Soroptimist International St Albans & District, held an inspirational “Join Women on the Bridge” event to mark International Women’s Day on Mother’s Day. The crowds gathered bridge over the boating lake Verulamium Park in spite of the cold, wearing white, making a “Stand for Peace and to End Violence Against Women and Girls”. The event has been reported in the St Albans & Harpenden Review: www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/10280540.Demonstrators_gather_in_St_Albans_for_International_Women_s_Day/?ref=mmsp Highlights of the day:   New Testament Church Choir from Fleetville sang “One Day at a time” from the bridge to set the mood. Helen Byrne President of Soroptimist International St Albans & District welcomed everyone – including the Mayor of St Albans, Councillor Eileen Harris Jane Slatter, Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland Director of Communications spoke about why we were having  the “Join Women on the Bridge” event in St Albans – making

Top Female Engineer Wins Soroptimist Award

Top Female Engineer Wins Soroptimist Award

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On the 14th November ChenChen Wu (BEng Aerospace Engineering) was awarded the Soroptimist International St Albans and District: Peggy Hodges Prize for the highest performing female student completing the second year of a full time MEng/BEng Engineering degree at the University of Hertfordshire. Peggy Hodges was a highly acclaimed British engineer who was awarded an OBE for her services to engineering at a time when this was even rarer than it is today for a woman. Peggy was a member of Soroptimist International the global women’s organisation and she left a legacy to her Club, St Albans and District. One of the Soroptimist goals is to “improve the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment or enabling opportunities”. We created this award for these reasons and in honour of Peggy’s life. Pictured here, following the prize-giving event, from left to right are: Helen Byrne President Soroptimist International St Albans &

Target Ovarian Cancer

Target Ovarian Cancer

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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

Rewarding Kenyan Jewellery Sales

Rewarding Kenyan Jewellery Sales

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Club Members have been busy selling close to £300 worth of the popular ethnic jewellery handmade by HIV+ve women in Meru Kenya. The Club had a sales stall at Redbourn Fair 3 Nov (pictured here), at the Abbey Theatre Coffee morning in St Albans 15 Nov and at Herts Council Offices on 19 Nov. The jewellery makes great Christmas presents and in addition the timing of the sales coincide with World Aids Day. For more information see www.sigbi.org/st-albans-and-district/our-international-project/  Also pictured here are some of the women with the jewellery they have made and their names with messages of thanks for our support.

Harpenden Under 13 Girls Cricket Champions

Harpenden Under 13 Girls Cricket Champions

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Harpenden Under 13s were crowned champions of the Soroptimist Audrey Collins Girls Hertfordshire Cricket League by beating last year’s winners, Hemel Hempstead, in the county final on Sunday 15 July. The triumphant Harpenden Girls U13s are pictured here with Team Captain Becca Mihill being presented with the shield, trophy and a cheque for £150 by Helen Byrne, President of Soroptimist International St Albans & District .  Becca said afterwards, “it was a brilliant performance from the whole team and fantastic to produce our best performance on the day it really mattered”   This competition was sponsored by the St Albans Soroptimists as a lasting legacy and tribute to past member Audrey Collins who died in 2010. Audrey was an inpirational Soroptimist – a pioneer of Women’s cricket and a trail blazer for women. She received an OBE for services to women’s cricket and was one of the first 10 female members admitted

Heartwood Forest – World Environment Day

Heartwood Forest – World Environment Day

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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/

Visit from Kenya – International Peace Initiative

Visit from Kenya – International Peace Initiative

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“International Peace Initiative” (IPI) is our international project, in Meru, Kenya. Dr Karumbu Ringera, the founder of  IPI met with Club Members on a recent visit. Karambu was able to update us on how the money raised by the Club is being spent to eduate and empower women and girls whose lives have been affected by HIV and AIDS. Karambu showed us pictures of the Amani children’s home  that she has built with help from outside organisations in the UK and USA. Amani means peace in Swahili, and the home is a peaceful place where there are currently 27 children living to carry on their studies. The transformation of the barren wasteland to the lush gardens and organic market garden is amazing. Karambu hopes to create a self-sufficent childrens’ home where produce is grown on site along with some farm animals. The St Albans Club is

St Albans Soroptimist Received by Queen

St Albans Soroptimist Received by Queen

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International Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe, and member of Soroptimist International St Albans & District (pictured here), represented Soroptimist International at a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. This reception was held in celebration of Commonwealth Day (March 14th) and Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee. Hilary reports back from an eventful evening, (plus a brief history lesson!): “Pussy cat, pussy cat where have you been? I`ve been to London to visit the Queen” * Or so runs the nursery rhyme, written in the 16th Century for Queen Elizabeth I. Well I am not exactly a pussy cat but I did go, on behalf of Soroptimist International (SI), to London to visit the Queen. Last Monday 14th was Commonwealth Day. It is a great day of celebration for all that the Commonwealth stands for. SI has Commonwealth member countries throughout all four Federations so it is right and proper that we

Girls Win First Soroptimist Cricket Award

Girls Win First Soroptimist Cricket Award

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Hemel Hempstead Under 13s – First Winners of the Audrey Collins Girls Hertfordshire Cricket League  The triumphant Hemel Hempstead Girls Under 13s are pictured here being presented with the shield, trophy and a cheque for £150 by Judy Faraday, President of Soroptimist International St Albans & District . Harpenden and Berkhamsted came joint 2nd.             The second photo includes the full team, their coaches, with Soroptimists Helen Byrne and Judy Faraday at the back.   This competition was sponsored by the St Albans Soroptimists as a lasting legacy and tribute to past member Audrey Collins who died in 2010. Audrey was a pioneer of Women’s cricket, a trail blazer for women and an inspiration to everyone who knew her. She received an OBE for services to women’s cricket and was one of the first 10 female members admitted by the MCC in 1999.  Audrey

Wow – £2930 for Women’s Refuge!

Wow – £2930 for Women’s Refuge!

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The St Albans & District Soroptimists raised a fabulous £2930 for the St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge in the club year 2011/12.  The Refuge has used the money to help fund educational programmes for both staff and victims of domestic abuse. This is the third year that the club has supported the Women’s Refuge as the club’s annual charity and the club has decided to support the Refuge again in 2012/13. Soroptimist Club President Judy said “funding is being cut from vital community services like the Women’s Refuge, so it is vital that we support them, particularly in this tough financial climate”. Liz, the manager of the Refuge said to the Soroptimist Club members “This money makes a big difference to us and it’s fantastic that you have decided to support us for another year.”  As well as fundraising, the club has provided tea, coffee and sugar for the Refuge, household items to help women

March in London 8th March International Women’s Day

March in London 8th March International Women’s Day

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St Albans Soroptimists joined Women for Women International for the march over the Millennium Bridge as part of the International Women’s Day Celebration “Join me on the Bridge” campaign. Join me on the Bridge is the coming together of women and men around the world, united taking a stand for PEACE and women’s EQUALITY go to www.joinmeonthebridge.org and share a message of peace. We even had a Soroptimist from our friendship link in Warsaw join us on the bridge! – Ania Szeremeta is pictured above wearing sunglasses next to Jane Slatter in the yellow tabard Soroptimists all over the world celebrate this special day – there is more information about International Women’s Day on the Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland website www.sigbi.org/category/events/ Pictured on this page are Soroptimists at the event in London in 2012.    

Jewellery to support women and girls in Kenya

Jewellery to support women and girls in Kenya

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Jewellery to support women and girls in Kenya St Albans Club members have sold hundreds of pounds worth of beautiful jewellery made by HIV+ve women in Kenya. Pictured above are Club Member Joyce Stubbs with Club President Judy Faraday parading their wares at the Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland Conference in Brighton www.sigbi.org/brighton2011 , and pictured below are Club Vice-President Helen Byrne with Club Member Dr Diana Kingham with the jewellery stall. Proceeds from the sale of the jewellery goes to www.ipeacei.org a charity supporting women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Meru Kenya.   Club member Dr Diana Kingham met the founder and President of the charity Dr Karambu Ringera in Meru Kenya. Diana invited Karambu to speak to the club about her charity www.sigbi.org/st-albans-and-district/2011/peace-dr-karambu-ringera-speaks-to-club-members/  and following this the St Albans Soroptimists were moved to support the charity.

Top Female Engineers Win Soroptimist Award

Top Female Engineers Win Soroptimist Award

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On the 9th November Shweta Mehta (MEng in Aerospace Engineering) and Peng Zhao (BSc Hons in Multimedia Technology) were awarded the Soroptimist International St Albans and District: Peggy Hodges Prize for the highest performing female student completing the second year of a full time MEng/BEng Engineering degree at the University of Hertfordshire. Peggy Hodges was a highly acclaimed British engineer who was awarded an OBE for her services to engineering at a time when this was even rarer than it is today for a woman. Peggy was a member of Soroptimist International the global women’s organisation and she left a legacy to her Club, St Albans and District. One of the Soroptimist goals is to “improve the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment or enabling opportunities”. We created this award for these reasons and in honour of Peggy’s life. Pictured here, following the prize-giving

Latin Party Sizzler of a Success

Latin Party Sizzler of a Success

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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

Peace – Dr Karambu Ringera speaks to Club

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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

First Soroptimist Female Engineering Prize Awarded

First Soroptimist Female Engineering Prize Awarded

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Peggy Hodges Soroptimist Female Engineering Award – Congratulations to Tatiana Oliveira On the 10th November 2010 Tatiana Oliveira was presented with the first Peggy Hodges Soroptimist Award at the University of Hertfordshire prize-giving ceremony. This was awarded to a top female Engineering student in memory of our past-member Peggy Hodges OBE. Peggy received prizes and accolades including her OBE for engineering, so this is a fitting tribute tp Peggy.  Tatiana is studying for a BSc in Computer & Network Technology and is a worthy recipient of the award. Pictured here is Tatiana Oliveira being presented with her award by Janet Tansley, President of the St Albans Soroptimists, with Neville Reyner (CBE DL) Chairman of Exemplas University of Hertfordshire. Thanks to Pete Stevens at CreativeEmpathy.com for the photographs.   For more about the life of Peggy Hodges OBE please follow this link: www.sigbi.org/st-albans/about-our-club/members-of-note/peggy-hodges-obe-1921-2008/ 

Tree Planting at National Arboretum

Tree Planting at National Arboretum

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Arbor Day – National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 25 September 2010  Members of the St Albans & District Soroptimists were very busy on “Arbor Day” for the dedication of trees for past, present and future Soroptimists at the Soroptimist International plot. From left to right – Laura Redhead planted a tree, Hilary Ratcliffe organised the event, Jean Eaton supported everyone on the day and Christine Farrington delivered the service in the Millennium Chapel.  There were many more members there from London Chilterns Region and from clubs all over the country. The National Memorial Arboretum is in Alrewas in Staffordshire see www.thenma.org.uk

St Albans and Warsaw Soroptimists Cultural Exchange

St Albans and Warsaw Soroptimists Cultural Exchange

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St Albans and Warsaw Soroptimists Cultural Exchange  The St Albans & District Soroptimists visited their fellow Soroptimists in Warsaw for a cultural exchange weekend in June. The visit coincided with the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth, and a highlight of the weekend was going to an al fresco Chopin concert in Royal Lazienski Park. The members who went would thoroughly recommend anyone to go on a sightseeing trip to Warsaw “it’s a really lovely city with so much to see, and everyone made us feel so welcome” said Jean Eaton one of the Soroptimists who lives in Redbourn. The trip was organised by Wanda Bristow, a member who created and manages the friendship link with Soroptimists in Warsaw. Wanda was from Warsaw originally, she is a qualified interpretor for the Polish language, and has lived in St Albans for more than 25 years.  Sally Bear (the club’s well travelled mascot) is pictured here listening to the Chopin concert in front of