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SI Couva

Soroptimist International Couva was chartered on January 22, 2022, during one of the most challenging times facing the global community – the Covid-19 pandemic. As a club we have had to do things “differently” and this has had a profound effect on the ethos of our club. We see ourselves as charting a new course that requires a change in mindset for the changing times. We hope to make a positive impact in our community through transformative projects as we emerge from a post-Covid-19 world. Our focus is therefore to bring hope and teach resilience to the girls and young women in our community.

 

Since being formed in March 2021 we have been able to complete the following projects:

1. Mother’s Day Breakfast Box Fundraiser

2. Covid-19 Relief Hamper Drive

3. Virtual Vacation Camp – “Girl Pioneers: Create, Envision, Lead!”

4. Tech for Girls Workshop (App development) – in collaboration with RSC (Restore a Sense of I can) another NGO

5. Seafood Boil Fundraiser

6. Breast Cancer Awareness Project – Providing information and Q&A segments

7. Virtual Christmas Market Project – supporting and promoting our local female artisans

 

New Executive of SI Couva for the 2023/2024 year

Congratulations and best wishes to the new executive team of SI Couva.

From L-R
Marsha Serrattan- Secretary
Tahira Ahmad- Communications and Website Officer
Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry- President
Michelle Sukdeo- Programme Action Officer
Sasha Sukdeo-Programme Action Officer
Alicia Gayle-Samuel- Immediate Past President
Absent – Vashti Guyadeen- Membership and Organizational Development Officer

 

SI Couva- First Anniversary, First AGM

SI Couva members cut their cake to commemorate their 1st Anniversary which was on the 22/1/2022 and first AGM which was held on the 29th April, 2023

Soroptimist International clubs of T&T

Friendship Day 8th October, 2023

Theme: The People Who Came

Soroptimist International Couva video- spanish presentation (parang)

SI Couva Members at the Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago National Association AGM on the 9th of September 2023., at the Royal Hotel, San Fernando.

SI Couva Personal Care Project

On Friday 18th August, 2023 Soroptimist International Club of Couva President Mrs. Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry and member Ms. Meera Avatar donated 150 packs of sanitary napkins to Ms.Leela Ramsingh , managing director of LSA Health Care Services in aid of their School Drive initiative in September.

This was also done to kick off our Personal Care Project in the vein of EndPeriodPoverty .

Period Poverty is the inability of low-income women and girls to afford menstrual products and also the lack of access to menstrual hygiene education. It also refers to increased economic vulnerability women and girls face due to financial burden posed by menstrual supplies.

SI Couva will advocate to EndPeriodPoverty.

Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming project.

Soroptimist International Couva

SCHOOL A BAG PROJECT

SI Couva will be assisting the underprivileged youths within the Couva environs with school stationery for 100 school bags. They will also be assisting 10 schools and providing 3 scholarships to students in need.

Donations in cash or stationery were solicited and bins were placed at Mohammed’s Book Store, High Street, San Fernando and Gulf Link Road and JTA Supermarket, Couva.

Si Couva thanked all the wonderful persons who stopped and contributed to “SPONSOR A SCHOOL BAG 2023

 

Soroptimist International Couva

SIGBI Day of action – 15th July 23

SI Couva celebrated SIGBI Day of Action which coincided with United Nations World Youth Skills Day.

The aim of World Youth Skills day is to acknowledge the value of acquiring skills to achieve personal success and realizing their fullest potential.

SI Couva embarked on an interactive session with a group of 11 year old girls at a summer camp with Conflict Guru 868, Ms Ayanna Miguel where they discussed the topic of Conflict Resolution.

Ms. Miguel holds both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, namely a Masters in International Management and post graduate diploma in Mediation Studies. She is the lead consultant at eMediate Consulting. She is also a trained mediator with U.W.I and certified with the Mediation Board of Trinidad and Tobago.

The girls were thoroughly engaged as they navigated successfully to resolve challenges, adverse situations and conflicts thereby unlocking their true potential

Training Sessions to Commemorating Membership month.
SI Couva members and prospective members listen attentively to the very informative training session from presenters Sandra Dieffenthaller (Membership and Organizational and Development Officer, SI San Fernando) and Terry Rambharat (Membership Officer SITT National Association)

Membership Month Activities-SI Couva hosted an Afternoon Tea Party

On Sunday 28th May, 2023 SI Couva hosted an Afternoon Tea Party in celebration of Membership Month.

Our guest speaker was Ms. Leela Ramsingh managing director of LSA Healthcare Services Ltd, Eltina’s Distributors Ltd and RamAli Development Conpany Ltd. She’s an advocate for women and girls as it pertains to feminine hygiene products and her company is the brand ambassador for Menstrual Hygiene Day which is associated with WASH United, a German NGO.

It was an afternoon filled with riveting discussions, games, delectable cuisine and an art session of creating fascinators.

A true celebration of sisterhood.

Happy Membership Month SICouva

SI COUVA FUNDRAISER

SAVE THE DATE :13TH MAY, 2023

Treat mom to a yummy and delectable charcuterie box this Mother’s Day. Tantalize her tastebuds as we celebrate her special day.

Please feel to contact the numbers below or any other member from the Soroptimist International Club of Couva.

Free delivery provided.
Cost: $250.00

Contacts: Naima 741-4223
Michelle 794-0337
Your contribution to this fundraiser will go to funding projects for women and girls in the Couva community in the true spirit of Soroptimism.

SI Couva participated in the SI Friendship Day hosted by SI San Fernando at La Vega, Gran Couva on the 19th of March, 2023. They were dressed in various combinations of attire representing the sixties which was the theme for the event

SI Couva celebrates IWD 2023.

Equality is not enough, we do not all start from the same place, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

Charter Team of SI San Fernando had a Development Day for SI Couva members.

SI San Fernando was happy to have its first face to face Development Day with our baby club Soroptimist International Club of Couva. It was a very productive and inspiring session of learning and sisterhood in the true spirit of Soroptimism. The session was led by the charter team.

Soroptimist International Couva

Movie Night Fundraiser
Date: 28th December 2022
Time:-6 p.m.
Venue: Estate 101, Saddle Road , Maraval (Opposite Massy Stores)

SAVE THE DATE

Recent Activities:

SITT National Association – 49th AGM

A lovely turnout from SI Couva!

Soroptimist International National Association of Trinidad and Tobago held its 49th Annual General Meeting on Saturday, September 17th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Sky View Lounge, San Fernando.

It was a glorious return to an in-person meeting since our last AGM in 2019. All clubs were represented—SI Anaparima, SI Chaguanas, SI Couva, SI Esperance, SI Newtown, SI Port of Spain, and
SI San Fernando. Despite a bit of inclement weather, it was a great turnout of members.

 

Planning Session!

On a glorious sunny afternoon in June, we met up at Rudranth Capildeo Learning Resource Centre for a Planning Session!

Great Fun!  Great Productivity!

 

Our Potential Member Meet-Up!

It was such a fabulous gathering at Happy Melon Bistro in Freeport on Sunday, May 22nd, 2022.
We truly enjoyed getting to meet these wonderful women!

 

International Women’s Day 2022

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2022, each of the seven Soroptimist International clubs of Trinidad and Tobago produced a video addressing:

A Mother’s work is REAL. Mothering through the Pandemic.

Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias can’t exist isn’t enough.

#BreakTheBias #IWD2022

Sharing some moments (and delicious pics) from our 2022 Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

Breast Cancer Awareness project:

For Breast Cancer Awareness month we ran a three part series that addressed some not commonly discussed issues when faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer. These took the form of three 15-minute video interviews that were shared on social media. The dynamic speakers included Dr. Amrit Rambhajan who spoke on medical matters, Ms. Ria Murray-Payne an insurance agent, advised on the need for proper financial planning and Ms. Ahhalia Ramdass, a clinical psychologist and member of SI Anaparima who gave guidance on the emotional journey from diagnosis to recovery.

 

Interview on Radio with Alicia:

We were also invited to be on a radio segment called ‘highlights’ on Next 99.1 FM with host Arianne Mitchell. Our President Alicia got the opportunity to highlight our club and the difference we are making in society.

 

Fundraising:

Two fundraisers provided the finances to fund our projects. Our breakfast boxes were outsourced from a provider who delivered a scrumptious selection of breakfast goodies for Mother’s Day. A total lockdown just prior to Mother’s Day did not prevent us from going through with our plans and from all reports everyone was pleased.

Our second fundraiser was an in-house job with our member Marcia providing a delicious Seafood Boil for over 100 patrons.

 

Tech 4 Girls Workshop:

We collaborated with ‘Restore a Sense of I Can’ and presented a mobile app development workshop to inspire young women and girl to explore a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math through educational workshops.

 

Covid-19 Relief Hamper Drive:

The pandemic provided the backdrop for our first PA project – a hamper drive to assist students of two secondary schools in the area. We used social media and word of mouth to contact relatives, friends and supporters to donate items. Meeting to put together the hampers was an opportunity for many of us to meet in person for the first time.

Delivery of the hampers to the schools also benefitted our club as two members of staff became interested in the organisation and immediately joined us!

 

Vacation Camp:

Our week-long virtual vacation camp targeted girls in the 13 to 17 age group and was aptly themed ‘Girl Pioneers – Create, Envision, Lead’.  We enjoyed five half-days with 43 very bright young ladies from the Couva area. Topics addressed included current issues facing young women, with specific focus on self-care and self-esteem, entrepreneurship through art, social and work etiquette, financial tips for teenagers and your digital presence. These issues are not addressed in the school curriculum and are critical in creating strong women leaders. Our presenters were all impressed by the degree of engagement and eagerness of the participants considering how ‘zoomed- out’ young people are after over a year of online schooling.

 

Plans for the future
We plan to continue to support women and girls in the community in line with the UN’s SDGs:

● Continuing Covid-19 relief programme

● Spotlight on female entrepreneurs and female owned business in Couva & environs

● Initiative to empower girls and women in the community – Training & Mentoring to provide opportunities for building an entrepreneurial mindset in young girls and women

● Other initiatives including programmes focused on self-care and personal development

 

To join our membership, please message us via any of our social media at:

• E-mail: sicouva@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sicouva
• Facebook: The Soroptimist International Club of Couva

OR contact one of our members at:
• Natasha Hernandez – 735-9708
• Stacy Mohamed – 751-3060

 

Interested in becoming a member of SI Couva?
Click on the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSch449EBKa_JapbU25DXU5KmQrPbYizgf9qGBf8j5k1dIjkNQ/viewform?usp=sf_link