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SI Newtown

Soroptimist International Newtown (SINT) is the 6th Soroptimist club to be chartered in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Chartered in 2010 our current SIgnature Programme Action activity is our workshop series – My Sister’s Keeper – which is directed specifically to women and young girls in the community.

Our workshops have centered around topics such as Alternative Career Paths, Safety and Self-Defense and Financial Literacy.

Other than our workshop series we have other projects and activities all of which are focused on the United Nations calendar days.

These include our campaigns for International Women’s Day, Orange the World supporting non-violence towards women and World Literacy Day.

Our members continue to actively pursue making that positive difference in the lives of women and girls.

Join us to learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of women and girls in Trinidad and Tobago!

Email us at sint.soroptimist@gmail.com

Like and Add us on the following:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SINewtown/
Twitter: @SINewtown
Instagram: sinewtown

Congratulations and best wishes for an enjoyable and productive year to the new Executive team of Soroptimist International Newtown (SINT) following their AGM on the 20th of April, 2024

Seated from L-R: Abena Hartley – Executive Floor Member, Kristy Alexander- Secretary, Marissa Bubb- President, Chevonne Agana- President Elect, Jada-Lee Condappa Lewis- Executive Floor Member

Standing from L-R: Jimmianne Warner- Communications Officer, Nneka St. Rose- Membership Officer, Cherise St. Vincent- Treasurer, Kyra McGowan Santana- Programme Action Officer

The Female Entrepreneur in a Digital World”

SI Newtown held our “The Female Entrepreneur in a Digital World” International Women’s Day event on Friday at Holy Name Convent with Women Entrepreneurs and Guest Speakers, Afiya Francis and Shari Winchester.

The session was one of how theory and knowledge learnt can be implemented in certain real life situations and practical applications.

The ladies imparted invaluable wisdom and information, tips and guidelines for entrepreneurs and spoke about their own journeys as females in a digital environment.

Key points discussed included how social media and entrepreneurship intersect and key considerations about personal branding authenticity and speaking up as women in industry.

We express our sincere gratitude to Afiya and Shari for their participation as a guest speakers for our event.

 

SINT welcomes 5 new members

2024 has started off with a BANG!

We not only held our first Business meeting of the year on Friday 12th January, but we also welcomed one of the largest group of new members into SI Newtown Trinidad

Introducing 5 newest members:

Marissa, Jennifer, Termika, Kirsty and Marielle.

Welcome aboard and best wishes to all.

 

SI Newtown inducts three new members.

Welcoming the newest members of SI Newtown

Three new members were inducted at the AGM held on Saturday 29th April,2023.

From L-R

Jimmianne Warner- New Member, Corina Hernandez Marhue- Immediate Past President, Leslie Anne St louis Taylor-New Member, Cherise St. Vincent -New Member and Candace Nanton- outgoing Membership Officer.

 

HAMPERS FOR CHRISTMAS

Soroptimist International Newtown packaged and delivered hampers to 17 families for Christmas.

Carersrightsday

Today is carersrightsday and so we highlight the project @sinewtown did for Mental Health Day 2023 – “Caring for the Carers”

Having addressed the needs of these girls in phase 1 of our ‘Butterfly Project,’ a 6 month programme aimed at preparing adolescent girls for adulthood, we decided to now consider the persons with whom they depend on and interact with on a daily basis, the caregivers.

Recognizing the stressful nature of the role of  carers within our local homes, while furthering our continued work at St Judes Home for Girls, SI Newtown hosted a workshop for 20 of the home’s caregivers that provided the necessary tools and strategies to manage their physical and mental health.

The workshop consisted of a yoga session, team building exercises and a stress management and mindfulness session.

Pogramme Action Awards-

Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) London Conference 2023

Peace and SDG 5 Gender Equality

Congratulations to Runner up – Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago (National Association) Project: Imagine ART Competition

Started by SI Newtown and adopted by the National Association, this competition was a celebration of International Women’s Day, whose theme was #embraceequity. Art pieces were submitted by more than 100 students which were displayed at the National Library of Trinidad and Tobago which saw many members of the general public visiting to view the artwork.

Congratulations to the Winner in the same category – Soroptimist International Salisbury

Project: Making Salisbury Safer

Soroptimist International Newtown Boozy Brunch Fundraiser 2023 event was featured in the Guardian We Magazine on the 29th October, 2023.

Our past, ongoing and future projects were also highlighted.

Special thanks to Dr. Safeeya Mohammed, WE magazine Editor for ensuring our initiatives were highlighted.

SI Newtown Boozy Brunch fundraiser held on the 24th September 2023 was a great success.

The ladies of SI Newtown would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for making our Boozy Brunch fundraiser a huge success !!

Thank you to our sponsors: Angostura, Lauriston Lewis Associates Limited, The Residence, DJ Mazel, Ironside Media

Our fellow Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago members

Anyone who purchased or donated a ticket

Your generous donations and support has contributed to the success of our event which will allow us to fund projects aimed at providing women and girls with resources and opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Visit SI Newtown’s Facebook Page to see all the lovely pictures from the Brunch..

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

Trinidad delegates at the Soroptimist International convention in Dublin on the 27th to 29th July, 2023.

L-R Sandra Dieffenthaller (SISF) Girlie Sulaman (SIPOS) Renata Ramsaywak-Lalla (SISF), Nalini Rajballie(SIC) Donna Scoon Moses (SIPOS)
and Denise Demming (SINT)

Soroptimist International, Newtown

SIGBI DAY of action 15th July, 2023

To commemorate SIGBI Day of Action which coincided with the United Nations World Youth Skills Day, SI, Newtown hosted a HairCare and SkinCare Workshop for the young women at Sophia House.

World Youth Skills Day is a day to encourage youth to celebrate the value of acquiring skills as a way to achieve personal success and fulfilment.

SI Newtown’s June Business Meeting
For our June Business Meeting we encouraged members to wear green, blue or earth tones as we celebrated World Environment Day and World Oceans Day in the week.

A few participants of the SI Newtown Art competition

Christiana-Li Miguel from Holy Name Convent 2nd place winner from SI Newtown and also in the SITT National judging stands next to her wonderful art piece which shows her creativity and critical thinking in tandem with the theme of the competition.

 

SITT National Association IMAGINE School Art Competition

Winners of the competition from SI Newtown Club.

 

SI Newtown displays art pieces at the SITT National Association School Art Competition
Opening day of Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago’s art exhibition “IMAGINE” was a resounding success!
Thank you to all the schools and individuals that came out to view these amazing works of art !
The exhibition continues at The NALIS Rotunda Gallery until April 3rd. Weekdays from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

SI Newtown initially conceptualized the IMAGINE School art competition which was broadened to the national level with other local SI clubs adopting the project in recognition of International Women’s Day 2023.

Also featured in the Guardian Newspapers was a synopsis of the work done on their Butterfly project.

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

Happy International Women’s Day 2023

We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.

Collective activism is what drives change. From grassroots action to wide-scale momentum, we can all embrace equity.

Upcoming event: –

SI Newtown Valentine’s Day cupcake fundraiser.

Order yummy cupcakes for your loved ones. Message us to place your order.

 

Celebrating the milestone achievement of our dearest members Dr. Nneka St.Rose and Dr.Kyra Mc Gowan Santana.
Congratulations on achieving the award of your Doctoral degrees !!!
We were thrilled to celebrate you both at our first business meeting of the year !
Celebrating our 12th Anniversary!
Enjoying the sincerity of friendship and sisterhood

#educate #empower #enable #sint
#inspiringwomen #insisterhood
#Celebratewomenandgirls
#Anniversary

SITT National Association 49th AGM

A lovely turnout from SI Newtown!

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.

 

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 our accomplishments with you, and wishing you a fabulous 2022.

 

During the most wonderful time of the year Soroptimist Newtown Trinidad (SINT)collaborated with the Rape Crisis Society of Trinidad and Tobago to bring some Christmas Joy to women in need.

We provided food, vegetable and fruit hampers that were distributed to Single Mothers  of Migrant Families who are Rape Crisis Clients.

The veggie and fruit baskets were sourced from local rural farmers located in Brasso Seco , Tableland and Paria. The food hampers consisted of items that the recipients could prepare traditional Christmas meals from their homeland.

Family is not always bonded by blood, they can be bonded by love. From our Family to yours Happy Holidays ! 💕💝

 

On Saturday, November 6th, we celebrated our 11th Club Anniversary. 

Enter: SINT GAME!

An afternoon of games, fun, sisterhood, love, laughs and fantastic memories.

Our theme was based on shapes, primarily: The Circle ⭕️

Our Circle of Women progress from strangers to sisters. That is the superpower of Sisterhood. There is no beginning or end, no head or tail , but one flow of dynamic energy.

The circle of women around us weave invisible nets of love that carry us when we are weak and sing to us when we are strong.

 

Over recent years there has been a notable shift in the diversity of women in traditionally male-dominated fields, for instance in STEM careers. However, there is more work to be done to sensitize and create opportunities for women to access male-dominated fields and alternative careers for example as Air Guards, Firefighters, Personal Trainers, Architects, Music DJs, etc.

Further, there has always been a stigma attached to alternative careers as it was seen as a digression from traditional mainstream careers and for those that were unable to cope with the rigors of such fields. However, alternative careers are quite skilled areas that have created very lucrative careers for men over the decades.

SI Newtown is seeking to empower young girls with the tools and confidence to take on traditionally male-dominated or alternative careers. On Friday, October 15th, 2021, we proudly hosted a Virtual Alternative Career Fair with the following presenters:

Jenna Camacho – Personal Trainer
Sasha Dalla Costa – Architect
Satay Collymere – Beautician
Terry Ann Thomas – Air Guard
Charlotte Chadee – DJ
Crystal Friday – Carpenter & Plumber

Tree-planting at Bishop Anstey High School

On Saturday September 25th, ladies of SI Newtown planted a Meyer Lemon tree at Bishop Anstey High School (BAHS), Port of Spain. The Meyer Lemon tree is a sweet winter citrus. It is a hybrid between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange.

This tree-planting is a part of Soroptimist International’s 100th Birthday globally. What better way to celebrate the first centenary of Soroptimists, to raise the profile of our Organisation and to help the environment than to plant trees!

We planted this tree at BAHS not just for its beauty, and contribution to our planet, but once it begins to bear, the school can sell its produce for funds that can go towards the school, and thereby benefit the girls in their education journey.

A plaque was erected at the foot of the tree which reads:
“We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential.”
Malala Yousafzai

The quote on the plaque comes from a speech Malala gave at the United Nations.

In celebration of SI’s Centenary, on Sunday, July 25, 2021, SITT published a 24-page newspaper supplement with the Guardian Newspaper, Trinidad.
Here’s our full-page editorial…

To read the entire supplement, click on the link below to access our FlipBook:

https://online.fliphtml5.com/ahemv/zzmz/

 

Soroptimist International Newtown uplifts the grounds of the Maternity Ward at the Port of Spain General Hospital

In celebration of 100 years of Soroptimist International (SI), on Saturday, July 17, ladies of Soroptimist International Newtown (Trinidad) planted a Double Chaconia tree on the grounds of the Maternity Ward at the Port of Spain General Hospital.

July 17 was also Soroptimist Day of Action for the SI Federation, Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) which includes Trinidad and Tobago. The theme for SIGBI’s Day of Action 2021 was “Transform Our Future On The Earth”. As an Organization with special General Consultative Status to the UN’s Economic and Social Council, our mandate is tied to the UN, hence, our focus this year was on Goal 13 of the Sustainable Developmental Goals – Climate Action.

As a vibrant and dynamic group of young women whose aim is to educate, empower and enable women and girls, we deliberately selected the Maternity Ward of the POSGH to plant this beautiful Double Chaconia tree. In addition to the scientific name, and information on the tree, the plaque reads:

WOMAN: A Spirit Courageous and Bold, Her Body Powerful Beyond Measure.

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2021, all six Soroptimist International Clubs of Trinidad and Tobago united to produce a series of videos featuring prominent local women who choose to challenge gender bias and inequality.

These women hail from different backgrounds and each shared their journey and determination to forge a gender-equal world.

SI Newtown is truly honored to have interviewed Camille Selvon Abrahams. She is the Director of Animae Caribe Animation Festival, and the Director of Full Circle Animation Studio.

 

For World Teachers Day (October 5, 2020) and World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2020)
SI Newtown, Trinidad conducted 2 workshops (via Zoom) entitled Teaching In Crisis:
Reimagining the Future for teaching professionals.

Our aim was to provide teachers with knowledge on useful coping mechanisms for managing their mental health in the COVID-19 environment. Special thanks to Counseling Psychologist, Trishsanna Poyah-Rasul who facilitated both workshops.

The Charter of SI Newtown, Trinidad – 6 November 2010

10 years later – 6 November 2020