Update on Project

SI Hornsby’s project ‘Stitching Dreams – Connecting Communities” received a grant from the Federation Brilliant Futures Fund earlier this year. It was launched In February and began operating in early May. Members of SI Hornsby, in partnership with HOST International and Afghan Women on the Move, and with the help of 2 members of SI The Hills and several other volunteers, meet weekly in the Salvation Army hall in Blacktown, western Sydney, where more than twenty participants are registered.

There immigrant women from a numerous countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, India, Sudan, Indonesia and the Philippines) are taught machine sewing with a view to setting up businesses to sell their products, with talks on financial literacy and business skills, mental health and well-being. Club members with training in English as a Second Language (ESL) provide conversational English, and members with current Working with Children checks provide child minding for pre-schoolers.  We also provide a delicious morning tea for the women and their children. We have occasional feed-back sessions  with interpreters on what the women are gaining and what we could do better. Their enthusiasm for the project, for the friendships being forged and for what they are learning gives us great joy.

There is a group of fourteen volunteers who attend regularly in various roles.  After 18 sessions so far,  we calculate that  hours spent at the project amount to over 440, not including travelling time, as well as the hours of sewing prep, Zoom meetings and admin work done at home.

We are most grateful for the grant, for fundraising activities and for cash donations which have enabled us to buy sewing machines, fabric and sewing requirements. We’re also very grateful for donations from numerous people of sewing machines, overlockers, fabrics etc.

We plan to end the formal sessions for the project in November, and are working on the participants consolidating  their skills and passing them on to other immigrant women at regular meeting sessions.  Thus, the project   will continue in another form and become self-sustaining.

Anne Sheehan

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Message from President Christine Johnstone, on this International Day of the Girl Child.  Statement and interview with Danielle Hughes, science awardee and members of SI South Adelaide. 

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7 - 12 years age group

Artist =- Eshal_Naeem, Australia 

Artist - Khloe Teo Malaysia 

Artist: Charis Wong., New Zealand

Charis writes, "This artwork is what I want for the future world. I want it to be more eco friendly so that the ocean is less polluted (with Jelly fishes around), new plants will be able to sprout (sprouting plant in the rain). We can have a clear sky (white cloud in the blue sky, less light pollution so that we can see the stars at night. We will be able to have fresh air to breathe (the blue swirl in the drawing. Minimize the use of pesticides so that bees and bugs can help pollinate the plants. We will have a beautiful nature scenery through the seasons (cherry blossom, green vines, autumn leaves). Therefore we should reduce, reuse and recycle to save our world now. " 

Artist Alexis Bailey, Australia 

Under 7 years

Artist Gabriella Chavarri aged 5 years 

13 -18 Years

Artist - Low Yeong Shi, Malaysia 

Using a wavy art style reminiscent of water, wind, and sound, this artwork portrays two contrasting environments. On the left, there's the thriving tree, while the right side represents a polluted setting, with air pollution and rising temperatures. As temperatures soar, drought becomes evident, manifesting as cracks on the figure's head. Below, a polar bear underscores the impact of melting ice on its habitat. The water emerging from the figure's mouth appears dirty, with floating debris—an unsettling reminder of the widespread issue of microplastics in our food, resulting from irresponsible human actions. Overall, the central female figure symbolizes both Mother Nature's resilience and the strength to fight for her rights. Nature too will fight for itself, and the consequences of our actions will inevitably return to us.

Artist - Kira Manning - Australia

Walking the Earth in harmony with ancestors, animals, plants and spirits

Video Art Work

On the 8th of September each year, the world united to commemorate International Literacy Day. It is a day that underscores the profound impact of literacy on individuals, communities and entire nations. More than just a celebration, it is a powerful reminder that literacy is a fundamental human right. As we mark this important day, we proudly share with you the impactful literacy projects from SISEAP Soroptimists.This work brings not just reading and writing opportunities but includes empowerment, equality and access across the whole life cycle. 

SI Bangkok

SI Bangkok initiated an outreach project during the Covid pandemic in 2020. Located in Ratchaburi province, around a 2 hours’ drive from Bangkok, the Nongplamo Pittayakom school serves secondary students, some of whom are from low-income families. Such children are often being raised by grandparents as their parents have separated and/or have left the province to seek employment elsewhere.
As a result of the nation-wide lockdowns, many providers for these children lost their jobs or saw their incomes diminish significantly; they could no longer support the students’ tuitions and other related expenses like uniforms and lunches. We pledged 12,000 baht (AUD 500+) per child to help the students with the greatest need, supporting 13 to 16 girls and boys from 2020-2022 with the goal of keeping them in school. Funds were raised among members and friends of SI Bangkok both in Thailand, Japan and Australia. This continues into 2023.

 SI Beenleigh & “Follow the Sugar Trail”

SI Beenleigh along with Beenleigh Quota and Rotary, commissioned a book, “Follow the Sugar Trail”, explaining the history of their community. This book is provided to 8 and 9 years old students attending schools in their district. SI Beenleigh President Vicki is presenting the book to children at a book giving event organized at school together with member Soroptimists.

SI Geelong

A project to provide Literacy and Numeracy bags to Prep students starting in seven local primary schools in a lower socio-economic area of Geelong. Each kit contains numeracy material and age appropriate reading material for pre-school children. The bag also serves as a library bag so that the children may borrow books from the pre school library.

SI Lautoka

SI Lautoka members understand the profound impact of reading. Club members therefore actively contribute to a local school by establishing and maintaining a library. The members understand the vital role of nurturing children’s curiosity and imagination, as such keeping the library well stocked with a diverse selection of engaging and captivating books.

Soroptimist International Quadrennial Report 2020-2023

This report is a celebration of our achievements over the last four years and hopefully an inspiration for the next quadrennium. The aims and goals have been high, and our members have worked hard to achieve them. Through the work that we do, we have raised the profile of Soroptimist International and made a very real difference to the lives of many women and girls, and their families across the world.

Click HERE for full report.

SISEAP Soroptimist Stephanie Smith was the successful recipient of the SISEAP Dublin Convention Award. Stephanie shares with us her impressions of her very first International Convention.

Tēna koutou katoa
Nō Norfolk Island a Wales ōku tīpuna
I whānau mai au I Tamaki Makarau
Ko Whakatū tōku kāinga ināinaei
Ko Clive tōku Pāpa
Ko Ruth tōku Māma
Ko Jim tōku Tāne
Ko Oisin tōku tama
Ko Steph ahau
Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

Hello all, I am a descendent from both Norfolk Island and Wales. My Dad’s name is Clive and my Mum’s name is Ruth. I grew up in Auckland and now reside in Nelson, New Zealand. I am married to my husband Jim, and we have one son named Oisin. My name is Stephanie Smith.
I was fortunate to receive both the SISEAP Special Appeal Award and the Yvonne Simpson Travel Awards which allowed me to attend my first Soroptimist International Convention held in Dublin, Ireland July 2023.

SISEAP Annual Report for 2022, has just been published. The report showcases our projects across the 13 countries of the Federation SI South East Asia Pacific, the Federation Brilliant Futures Project, our reponse to disasters, Membership information, the Company secretaries report and audited reports. 

Welcome to April newsletter. It has been such a privilege to represent Soroptimist International over the past two months while the Programme Team has kept home fires burning for SISEAP. A summary of the 52 days of reality check, enlightenment, and inspiration will be shared on the website