{"id":306,"date":"2019-05-01T03:36:35","date_gmt":"2019-05-01T02:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/tt\/?page_id=306"},"modified":"2025-05-14T22:55:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T21:55:15","slug":"si-esperance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/tt\/si-esperance\/","title":{"rendered":"SI Esperance"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Soroptimist International Esperance was chartered on December 9th<\/sup> 2018 and is the newest of the eight Soroptimist Clubs in Trinidad and Tobago. <\/strong>We encourage openness to new inspiring ideas in developing club projects, succession planning and retention of membership. <\/strong>The club member\u2019s ages range from 92 to 27 and bring a unique blend of Soroptimist experience and effervescent youth. <\/strong>We may be the newest club, but we bring with us 172 years of service as Soroptimists. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Esperance\u2019 is French for Hope, and by Educating, Empowering and Enabling opportunities through service, we will bring \u2018Esperance\u2019 to women and girls in rural areas.<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_single_image image=”6940″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Soroptimist International Esperance Executive Committee 2025-2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Congratulations and best wishes for a productive year to the new Executive team of SI Esperance for the years 2025-2026<\/p>\n

Front row from left: Charmaine Lutchmansingh, Programme Action Officer; Candyce Labban, President Elect; Rowena Wattley, President; Irmin McKenzie, Secretary; Marilyn Lalla, Communications Officer.<\/p>\n

Back row from left: Denyse Ewe, Immediate Past President; Keisha Baig-Ramsamooj, Treasurer; Cheryl Boodoosingh, Organization, Development & Membership Officer; Rabbia Khan, Advocacy Officer; Trisha Dassrath, Vice President; Farah Abdool and Tara Pollonais, Floor Members.<\/p>\n

 [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_single_image image=”6944″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]May is Soroptimist Membership Month. SI Esperance celebrates its new members!<\/p>\n

( L to R) SITT President Dennise Demming , newly inducted members Zobida Jane Apping, Samatha Felix, Membership Officer Charmaine Lutchmansingh, new inductees Candice Chiti, Toanya Rahim and President Rowena Wattley.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_single_image image=”6943″ img_size=”large”][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_column_text]Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marilyn de Castro-Lalla, was honoured at Soroptimist International Esperance\u2019s recently concluded AGM for her four decades of commitment to Soroptimism. Marilyn stands proudly beside her mother Ursula who is dubbed the club matriarch, as Sheila Hassanali delivers a heartfelt tribute to Marilyn\u2019s invaluable contribution and unwavering spirit.<\/p>\n

What a beautiful moment of legacy, love, and service!<\/p>\n

 [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”6938″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Congratulations and best wishes to Ursula de Castro of SI Esperance on 45 years of service as a Soroptimist. She was conferred with the title of Honorary Life Member by SITT National Association at their AGM on the 9th September 2023 in appreciation of her unwavering dedication, commitment and exceptional service.<\/p>\n

In the picture Gemma Casimir Redman (right) President of Si Esperance makes a presentation to Ursula de Castro (left)[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_single_image image=”7014″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”7008″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

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Members of Soroptimist International Esperance joined in the Autism Awareness walk in Point Fortin. The club continues its support of the Life Skills Centre.<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_single_image image=”7019″ img_size=”large”][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_column_text]President Gemma Casimir Redman congratulated Ursula de Castro on her 45 years of service to Soroptimism.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”6473″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”7020″ img_size=”large”][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_single_image image=”6809″ img_size=”large”][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_single_image image=”6784″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Soroptimist International Esperance participated in Friendship Day 2024- “Casino Royale” hosted by Soroptimist International Newtown.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

They were assigned to play the game Craps<\/p>\n

Thank you for participating[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_single_image image=”6763″ img_size=”large”][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”9″][vc_column_text]Soroptimist International Esperance is thrilled to be one of the three clubs chosen to represent its Federation (SIGBI) and featured by Soroptimist International to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child.<\/p>\n

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SI Esperance, in partnership with the Trinidad & Tobago Association of Energy Engineers, was awarded $100,000TT after a rigorous selection process among hundreds of participants. The Club\u2019s proposal was submitted to The Digicel Foundation & Shell Trinidad Ltd EPIC (Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities) programme. Through the Club\u2019s Sustainable Harvest Programme at ASJA Girls College, Barrackpore, it aimed to educate, empower and enable the girls to develop and manage a hydroponics farm.<\/p>\n

SI Club Esperance has supported ASJA Girls\u2019 College through several prior projects and has researched its needs. The College is located in a deprived, farming community and food security is critical. However, the area is prone to flooding, so to mitigate against the huge loss of crops, introducing hydroponics was seen as a viable alternative.<\/p>\n

The Club aimed to develop a working farm utilising solar power with a mix of hydroponics and conventional agriculture.<\/p>\n

The Club\u2019s goals were:<\/p>\n