Orientation for new members- Nov 2017
An orientation programme was held in November for all the 8 new members that have joined SIPME. Membership and Development Officer conducted the session introducing the members to how the federation works, how important is Programme Action and the execution of projects. They were also told about the connection of Soroptimist International to United Nation’s ECOSOC as well as the importance of Sustainable Development Goals as guidelines for our work.
Friendship Link Club member visits.
SIPME members were happy to meet up with Pam Cairns member of our Friendship Link SI Dundee during her visit here. President Anubha, PAC Renu and Friendship Link Officer Anita invited Pam and her husband to coffee Also present was Seema of our joint project Aseema.
KILKARI-WOMEN- Session on Domestic Violence-- Nov 2017
SIPME’s work with the women at the Tara Mobile Creches Centre is progressing in a positive way. The women here are the wives of construction workers who have very poor living conditions, have been dislocated from their home territory and are isolated. The once reticent, non-social women here, have now come together and look forward to the SIPME visits. For the past seven months the women have gladly received and participated in all the session conducted on location. They have made specific requests for information or help. The TMC social worker has remarked that they have noticed a remarkable change in the women. As requested by them a session on domestic violence was conducted by Barkha Bajaj of Aks Foundation. This session was held on Sunday so the male members of this community could also be in the audience. Despite the early awkwardness of the men they made contribution to the conversation, but it was always the women who were more vocal. The issue of child marriage was also discussed. More than 70 women and men were present.
SIGBI Conference at Cardiff.
The 83rd SIGBI Conference was held at Cardiff at the end of October. It was a engrossing 3 days with a new format of the Federation Programme Action, excellent speakers and presentations. President Ann Hodgson handed over her chain of office to Susan Biggs. There was music, good fellowship and inspirational moments. SI Pune Metro East was once again in the nomination list for their Sanitary Napkin Project, as were 4 other projects of Clubs in India. APD Nisha Ghosh who is also the National PAC represented at this Forum. Stage presentations too had an Indian representation, with SI Pune Metro East as a partner of the Seema’s Home project which was presented on stage by members of SI Perth and SI Dundee- SIPME’s Friendship Link.
Guinness Recognition for members
Sushmita Mukerjee and Suchandra Chakravarthy both new members of SI Pune Metro East are now Guinness World Record holders. Both the sisters participated in crocheting a 15km long scarf along with 65 other participants. This has been recognized as a record, worthy of being in the Guinness Book of World Record. SIPME is proud to have them as members.
SNAP production and distribution
The Sanitary Napkin Advocacy Programme that SIPME enthusiastically started in 2014 is moving along and reaching more and more women and girls in communities. The manufacturing unit was set up in 2015 at Tulapur near Pune. It was a learning experience for both the club members and the community at Tulapur. Marketing the product was a challenge but Anupama Sen who spearheaded the project was satisfied with the social change initiated at the village. At the beginning of 2016 the project was shifted to Wai (2 hours away from Pune) where a self-help group of local women are overseeing the production. Here village women are employed at the manufacturing unit. SIPME has conducted menstrual hygiene and sanitary napkin advocacy sessions for schools and women at Wai. The club also supports the distribution of the napkins and helps collect funds to keep the production ongoing. The SNAP project was highlighted at the NASI meeting in Kodikanal, at the Yellow Ribbon Fair, and by individual members getting donations to take the project forward.
Snap for Education of a Girl
Data has it that girls in developing countries interrupt their studies during their menstruation days. In certain cultures, girls even stop going to school. It has been found that providing comfortable sanitary wear for school going girls may help them not miss days or even end their education. Understanding this SIPME has stepped up a drive to have sponsorship. Each sponsor gives enough to support one girl’s need for sanitary napkin for one whole year. The beneficiary receives the napkins free of cost. SIPME members have been able to thus support girls’ education.
AGM Sept 17
SIPME had its AGM in September at a local Restaurant hall. President Anubha presented her report as well as the Audited Accounts on behalf of the Treasurer. Secretary KumKum read her report followed by reports from PAC Renu, Communication Officer Neha, Friendship Link Officer (IPP Neerja read), Membership Officer(Nisha). Post reports the managing Trustee gave her observations on the performance of the Club in the past year.
Literacy at Kilkari-Aug 2017
SIPME conducted a literacy drive at Kilkari with the women of the construction workers community. The women had varying levels of education, none more than grade 9, some had no education at all. They were asked to write their names on the board. This produced a fair result but it was their hesitation that needed to be overcome. Learning to write their names would enable them to sign for opening a bank account should they need to in the future. It was a fun attempt and they enjoyed the session .
Clean Home Competition-Sept 2017
Women at the Kilkari Project have slowly begun to be drawn to SIPME members visiting them slowly over the last one year. SIPME’s work there involves meeting the women, who have relocated from their hometowns, live in poor miserable conditions, and lead joyless lives. There is a lot of domestic violence and they encounter drunkenness from their spouses. Tara Mobile Creches wanted us to specifically address the women so as to reduce the aggression between each other as well as give them more motivation and non-formal education. Their response to the Clean Home competition was very heartening to SIPME and this encourages us to take the project forward.
Membership at SIPME
SI Pune Metro East takes its membership issues very seriously. Since the Charter in 2010 membership, has never dropped below 30. The Club prides itself with winning nominations and awards each year, which is possible only through a committed and sustained membership. The highlights of 2016 was the film ‘Ask Me Why I’m a Soroptimist’ made for Membership Month Competition which apparently shattered viewership records on sigbi website. Membership strengthen meetings are held occasionally to keep members informed of running of the club and project handling. The Club Communications Officer held a session to introduce members to ways of writing for Soroptimist publications. A professional photographer was invited to give tips on taking effective pictures for documentation. Earlier this year an external resource person conducted a team building session which was well received. Though 6 members moved on, 9 new members joined and were given an orientation by President Anubha. Membership Officer used a painting session for team building – each painting a tile for a collective artwork to be installed at a project site. The PAC held a workshop on SDGs, online reporting and writing projects.