Article by Federation President Anusha Santhirasthipam

Today I wish to honour and celebrate the leaders and members of my Soroptimist service club #SIPJ #SIPetalingJaya and Singapore's first Mandarin speaking Soroptimist club #SISingaporeOrchid #SISO who are both member clubs of the Federation of #soroptimistsouthwestpacific.

Blog written by Ralda Forzin, member of SISWP

Climate Change was the subject of both a plenary session and a workshop which was held in the main conference room due to the high levels of interest. Speakers came from different countries (Kenya, Malaysia, the Netherlands) as well as diverse backgrounds and expertise (economics, education, advocacy, politics, activism). Each speaker approached the issue from a different viewpoint, but all were agreed on one thing. Climate change is real and its greatest impact is on women. We are in crisis. The need for both advocacy and action is urgent.

The crescendo of women’s voices rose up to greet you as you travelled down the escalator to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, for the 21st Soroptimist Convention opening ceremony. Outside a representative from each of the 125 countries in attendance were standing proudly holding their country flag, they stood lining the red carpet awaiting the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia.

One of the first projects by Soroptimist in 1921 was the 'Save the Redwoods' – the great ancient trees which were being felled. They lobbied the legislature, took on powerful lumber companies, and won the support of the public. Today nearly 100 years later at the launch of the 21st Soroptimist Convention, Soroptimists planted rainforest trees in a reforestoration area of Kuala Lumpur. 

Soroptimist International of South Queensland sponsored the inaugural Soroptimist International Empowering Others Award a category in the Seven News Young Achiever Awards. Madina Mohmood was announced the winner of this inaugural prestigious Soroptimist award in front of 400 attendees on Friday 3rd of May at Royal on the Park Brisbane. Madina was also announced the overall winner of the 2019 Queensland Young Achiever of the Year, chosen from the eight winners. What a wonderful achievement for this young woman.

Keep Healthy and Happy Carnival at Orang Asli Settlement Kampung Kuala Masai, Johor

Blog by Nora Lam from SI Bangsar

Saturday 23rd February 2019

The run up to the Carnival involved Nora Lam SI Club of Bangsar (SICB) Project coordinator setting out to recce and enquire about the possibility of educating the villagers and particularly the children about health, cleanliness and the importance of education.

The sight of many unhealthy people inactive without purpose, resideing in the homes that had been built by the Government, and a few of them cleaning mussels for a living at Ringgit Malaysia 7-8 ( Aus$3) a bucket meant they all earned a meagre income. Economic development is an important factor for these women.

Their children may be older than me and they may sometimes misuse the “reply all” in an email chain. Yet since becoming a member, I have learnt so much from the incredible women who call themselves Soroptimists.

SI Melba, held an Empowering Young Women through Education Breakfast on 17 August 2017 at the National Australia Bank (NAB) Headquarters located at Docklands, Melbourne. 128 Year 9-11 girls who are disengaged at school, along with their teachers and women mentors from the community, come together to see how the education opportunities they have now will shape the lives they have in the future.

Leadership - what does this entail - what does this mean?

Many women shy away from taking on leadership roles in Clubs, organisations and business. Why - the question that is often asked. Too often women feel they are not suited to the role, not good enough or simply lack courage and conviction to take the next step. In fact the whole issue of Leadership and women is something that is high on many agendas around the world. We need women to stand up and take on a leadership role in all facets of our business, service organisations, not-for-profit and for-profit organisations and we all need to work with women to make this happen.

Article by Soroptimist member Kerry Beer (SI Melba) ,  Kerry writes about her recent visit to Cambodia.

In February 2017 I made a holiday trip to Cambodia as well as to represent SI Melba in the official ceremony to recognise the donation of 200 bicycles from the joint Cycles for Cycles Project, involving SI Singapore, SI Damansara (Malaysia) and SI Melba (Australia). The project was created to raise funds for the purchase of bicycles for volunteer malaria workers (VMWs) in Oddar Meanchey, a province in Northwest Cambodia (see separate report on this Project in another article currently on the SI & SISWP website).

As part of my holiday, I also decided to connect with the SI Phnom Penh (SIPP) club as well as visit Sampav Loun the location where the Hands Across Borders (HAB) Project was delivered between 2004 and 2015. I had on previous occasions been involved with SIPP and the HAB project and was keen to catch up with the friendly people there as well as see how their work was progressing. Susannah Dax also from SI Melba also decided to take a Cambodian holiday and weave the SI plans into her time.