Soroptimist International of Western Australia

Projects

Our service work is performed through a number of projects. The service work that we are involved in can be split into different levels:

Current
International Projects
Federation Projects
Region/Club Projects
Five -O

Past
International and Federation Projects
Region/Club Projects

CURRENT

International Projects
Every four years, Soroptimist International nominates an International Quadrennial Project to be worked on by all Soroptimist members. In July 2007, SI adopted a new project entitled "Project SIerra - a Family and a Future". A joint four-year project between SI and Hope and Homes for Children, which aims to transform the lives of some of the most deprived children and women in the world. Project SIerra: A Family And A Future aims to raise £1 million ($2million USD) to help disadvantaged women and children in Sierra Leone face their futures with confidence.More information can be found at the Project SIerra website.

In July 2003, SI adopted a project entitled "Project Independence - Women Survivors of War". The joint four-year project between SI and Women for Women International, Project Independence, provided women in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Rwanda with the tools and skills they need to rebuild their lives after surviving wars and internal conflicts.
The project raised over US$1.2 million. More information can be found at the Project Independence website. The final Project Report was presented at the International Convention in Glasgow 2007

The 1999-2003 International Project, "Limbs for Life" provided protheses for landmine victims, restoring human dignity, reintegrating them into society, enabling children to return to school and play once more and allowing men and women to again support their families. This project was the most successful SI Project to date, raising over A$2 million worldwide.

In addition, each year there is the President's Appeal on December 10 (Human Rights Day) when Soroptimists worldwide are asked to make some small personal sacrifice and donate the money saved to a project chosen by the President of Soroptimist International to help the world's poorest women.
In 2007, International President Margaret Lobo has chosen Restoring Dignity in partnership with Hamlin Fistula Relief and Aid Fund.
This project aims to support the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia to cure for women suffering from fistula injuries as a result of poor childbirth management.
More information can be found at the Soroptimist International website.

Project Five-O is designed to help women in poor economic circumstances in third world countries and is a co-operative partnership of five international women's organisations, including Soroptimist International. Approved local projects received limited initial and follow-up financial assistance from the Project Five-O organisation, leading to self-sustainabilty.

Becoming Independent Seminar was held in Perth by the Five - O Partners. The aim of the seminar was to empower women living in threaening or violent situations or who are victims of abuse, by giving them the knowledge of options or solutins to overcome their situation.

Federation Projects
At the Conference of Clubs held biennially, delegates vote to support a specific Federation Project for the ensuing two years.
The 2006 - 2008 Project is "Hands Across Borders".

This project was proposed by SI Dusit in Thailand and involves working in a small village in Northern Cambodia. Together with the community the project aims to bring better education and health facilities to the children and people in the village of Sampovloun. This will be accomplished by the building of a new school with improved toilet facilities and upgrading the hospital. The problem of naturally occuring Arsenic in the water supply will be addressed by the provision of simple water filters to individual families. The project has the support of both Thai and Cambodian Military and the Cambodian Ministry of Women's Affairs. Assistance will by Resource Development International and Partners for Development in Phnom Penh, who will assist with teacher training. Room to Read will produce books in the Khmer Language.

The 2002-2004 Federation Project was: 'Halt Domestic Violence' and was put forward by SI Lae in Papua New Guinea. This issue is a global problem. The project was such a sucess - and so needed - that it was continued and expanded for the 2004-2006 biennium.

Region / Club Projects
While Soroptimist clubs select their own projects to meet the needs of their local communities, the Region co-ordinates certain projects which involve all Western Australian Soroptimists.

Examples of projects currently underway include:

Asthma Education - From 1986 - 2006, Western Australian Soroptimist clubs supported the Asthma Camp which were run by the Asthma Foundation of WA. The camps were ultimately named the "Soroptimist Asthma Camps for Kids". In 2006 the camps were given a new look and now Soroptimist International of Western Australia supports the Asthma Foundation of WA's Triple "E" Asthma Challenge Day Camps.

The 'Stella Giles Award for Excellence' is awarded every year to a woman for Research, or towards the costs of running a project, which will be of immediate benefit for women or girls. It is often in an area which is either neglected or poorly serviced. The award is nominated by clubs and voted on by the committee formed from a representative from several clubs.

Since 1993, SIWA has held an annual "Soroptimist Week" with the aim of concentrating its events and presentations to achieve better publicity for the organisations supported and for the marvellous work achieved by clubs in the region.
Our International Women's Day Breakfast - this is held each year on International Women's Day - the 8th of March. The proceeds are always sent to UNIFEM for support of women and children throughout the world.

PAST
See our Federation and International websites for past federation and international projects.

Region / Club Projects

World-Class Service Work in Western Australia
Soroptimists in Western Australia participate in many and varied service projects. The following projects have won "Best Practice Awards" from the Soroptimist International Board. They are truly world-class service projects.

SI Helena
2006 International Winner in the area of Health
Project: Healthy Mother Healthy Baby - based in Ubud, Bali
Through personal contact following the 2002 Bali bombings, SI Helena members established a partnership with the Bumi Sehat Birthing clinic in Ubud.
Club members who met midwife Robin Lim were inspired by her vision of simple ways to improve the conditions of child birth plus her training of women in hygienic methods all combined with her integration of local customs and traditions. The club supports the clinic in accordance with the United Nations Millenium goals for decreasing maternal and infant mortality.

SI Fremantle
2006 International Finalist in the area of Human Rights and the Status of Women
Project: Women's Refuge Legal Referral Service
The project helps women proceed through the legal system with emotional and financial support. A Directory of local solicitors who will take on their cases on a pro-bono basis or at a lower charge has been set up. The Club took on this project and provided seed funding and later secured a grant. Good results are ensuing and women who were named on the title deeds of their homes but were unable to secure their 50% rights are now being helped.

SI Joondalup
2004-05 Award in the area of International Goodwill and Understanding
Project: East Timor Taining Programme
The Joondalup club members extended the hand of friendship to help the vulnerable women in East Timor which has been torn by conflict, poverty and unemployment. The club raised funds by working with the City Council to run a Chamber Orchestra Festival and has undertaken to pay AUD 85 for a six month course for two women in East Timor to undertake skills training, - office skills, computer use, administration and English language skills. The money has been sent to the Alola Foundation, chaired by the First Lady Kisty Gusmao, who is willing to administer the project. The project has created goodwill and understanding and it is hoped that there will be more opportunities for other women and lead to greater goodwill and understanding with peoples, especially women of less fortunate countries.

SI Geraldton
2001 Award in the area of Environment
Project: The Greenough River Walk Guide.
A part of its Environment Program SI Geraldton became involved in the Greenough Walk Trail, a 17km Trail created to provide visitors and residents with access to view the beautiful Greenough River whilst protecting environmentally sensitive areas. SI members were in contact with local aboriginal groups to make sure that all the information regarding plant life, birds and animals was a true record of the area. The final result was a beautifully coloured brochure of the Walk Trails, and all information relating to the area. Ten thousand of the brochures were printed, and these were handed out to schools, local tourists bureaus, and places where they would be provided to tourists. These brochures will be updated in the future.

SI Karratha and Districts
2000 Award in the area of International Goodwill & Understanding
Project: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Incentive Award.
Instituted in 1993 to mark the International Year of the World's Indigenous People, this is an annual event providing the winner with a cash voucher and a trophy. The intent is to encourage young, indigenous people to value education and to continue schooling. A panel of Soroptimists and indigenous educationists assess nominations and the award is made to the nominee who has most successfully outlined an intended pathway or career plan for future studies. Previous award winners have now completed their studies and have started work. The project participants develop self-esteem, confidence, a belief in themselves and pride in their indigenous community.

SI On The Terrace
2000 Award in the area of Human Rights & Status of Women
Project: Women in Prison
Club members became concerned about the issues facing women on remand and/or sentenced to the Bandyup State Prison in Western Australia. They undertook a research project and identified overcrowding, a lack of non-custodial alternatives, a lack of minimum-security options, and little differential between remand and sentenced prisoners. A special meeting was convened which in turn led to a Public Seminar with prominent Guest Speakers from the judicial system and social services. Club members have continued to provide on-going support for the women during custody and on their release. More activities are planned for the future.

SI Port Hedland
1998 Award in the area of Human Rights & Status of Women
Project: Helping Hands Forum: Mostly Mums Time Out
The club joined with several organisations in town to provide a Helping Hands Forum to the 'Mostly Mums Time Out Group'. This forum provided a fascinating overview of available services to 70 mums while their I00 children were treated to a fun day of play. Participants at the forum came from many different cultures and were encouraged to share their expertise, cultures, languages and crafts amongst each other as a part of expanding their education. The participants made many tributes to this project. This project involved money and service by the Soroptimists and received lots of public recognition.

SI Joondalup
1997 Award in the area of Human Rights & Status Of Women
Project: Annual Impact of Change Seminar
Members organise an annual seminar for the general public. In 1996 the theme was Poor no More, chosen to emphasise the UN Year of the Eradication of Poverty with the emphasis on needs & programme. This programme provided contemporary and excellent education as well as a modest donation to the local Salvation Army.

SI Perth
1997 Award in the area of International Goodwill & Understanding
Project: Annual Migrant Picnic
The club initiated a large inter-cultural project; a mammoth picnic bringing together migrant and refugee families and local Australians in order to promote understanding between parties. The picnic has become an annual event with participation reaching up to the 900's.

The following WA projects got "honourable mentions" in a presentation by the Soroptimist International Board to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, 1998:

SI Karratha & Districts
Project: Development of Women as Decision Makers
This club's project was called Knowing Yourself and Achieving Your Goals. This two-day seminar focused on skills development activities such as assertion, dealing with anxiety and decision-making, group activities, personal planning, lecturing and motivational speaking. The goal of this event was to better prepare women to be part of decision-making groups such as local committees, councils, task forces, elected officials and in businesses.

SI Perth
Project: Issues of Contemporary Slavery
This club partnered with ASETTS, the Association for Services to Torture & Trauma Survivors to help eliminate the mental health issues among the many refugees from conflicts in former Yugoslavia and the Horn of Africa. The need specifically requested was subscriptions to international magazines that will assist the caregivers to become more expert in the management and treatment of torture and trauma victims. The club reports that the rebuilding of shattered lives and dreams is emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting.