As the Soroptimist International South West Pacific Federation prepares to hold its Conference of Clubs in Malaysia next week, this SoroptiVoice blog comes from participants in SISWP’s Educate, Exchange, Connection programme last October. 17 Soroptimists under the age of 45 from 9 countries took part in an exchange to increase international understanding and promote participation of younger women in the Soroptimist Movement. After all meeting up in Kuala Lumpur for training and visits, participants went on to spend time with Soroptimist International clubs in another country.  In this week’s blog, we hear from a New Zealand Soroptimist who visited SI Jakarta (Indonesia) and an Indonesian Soroptimist who visited clubs in Fiji.

Rachael Taylor, President of SI Nelson (New Zealand), visited SI Jakarta (Indonesia)

A short flight
from Kuala Lumpur found me in the safe hands of SI Jakarta where I was met by President
Tia. The local ‘plaza’ was
alive and vibrant. The huge population and the traffic – cars and motorcycles,
shopping carts, people all navigating their way around the city – all in
perfect harmony at times seemed unreal. Having household staff was new to me.

 

Image: Meeting Nurani Isani Head Matron – Jakarta, Indonesia

SI Jakarta has some excellent projects that
reflect their commitment to improving the lives of women and children  – these are two I was shown. Firstly, the Club
supports a school for street children to change the culture or need for begging
. Uniforms and resources are provided to 250 students aged 5-16yrs+ with aiming
to empower them to a better future.

Second, in
partnership with a government agency, the Club is to start a pilot project to provide
a help and information system to make help available for women and children who
are affected by domestic violence.

I was also taken to an agricultural program
teaching all facets and providing work, and wellness learning. This is an
organic herb farm funded from a foundation set up by a founding member.

 

Image: visiting an organic herb farm – Jakarta, Indonesia

I learned that
our clubs do not have the same level of available cash but the work we are all
doing is the same where ever in the world we are. While this is interesting it
is also quite tragic. Other key lessons for me:

• There is no doubt that face to face meetings are the key to ownership
  of the cause.
• Good programs and justified
  expense both of time and money will gain interest from potential members

Through this exchange I have enjoyed new
friendships and better understanding of our voice with the United Nations;
realized we all have the same issues with retaining and gaining younger members and that through “hands on’ projects and the use of Social Networking Facebook,
Twitter etc we can keep all members engaged across our federation and share our
experiences with each other to promote Soroptimism. 

This exchange
connection has reinforced what a wonderful organization we are.  Even though
all the Ambassadors are from different countries and cultures, we are striving
to achieve the same goals to empower young women and children who don’t have
the same opportunities as we do and to not accept violence or trafficking or
begging as their normal way of life.  

Our
countries all  have similar issues that
we as Soroptimists are advocating for but because population, geographical
position or our economic status are so different we find our own ways to
achieve our goals – that is strength in diversity.  

Any Aryany from Indonesia visited Soroptimist International Clubs in Fiji

Upon arrival at Nadi airport, Fiji, Maria Doton, my host from Ba Club, picked us up. Maria took me sightseeing around Nadi and Ba on the way to her house. That evening we had a formal dinner with important Government Officers and the Chief of the Village.

 

Image: at Shady Cool Enterprises in Ba, Fiji

In the morning,  Maria took me to visit SI Ba’s Shady Cool Project,a very interesting project where SI Ba Club support a village of single women,divorcees or widowers, by building a canteen to sell foods for worker aroundthat area. This gives those women a source of income. We then continued to visit a Health Centre supported by Ba Club.

After lunch we went to unveil a new sign board for the Golden Age Home for elderly people. This project is supported by SI Lautoka. Following the unveiling we had afternoon tea at the Home. I was very touched by this project, it did not involve big funding, all they required was just our heart and attention by spending time, reading for the residents or just some chitchat. I made a mental note to bring this project to my Club. At night I attended the Lautoka Club monthly meeting and  induction of 2 new members.

 

Image: the new sign at Golden Age Home for elderly people – Lautoka, Fiji

I flew back to Brisbane with lots of fond memories of Fiji. I  feel very fortunate to have been able to participate in this program. This program can be a very useful tool to attract new members, especially younger people, who are eager to travel and have interests in the exchange of cultures between countries.

It can be especially beneficial within SI Federations and for the Ambassadors. It teaches about projects and cultures in host countries, knowledge which later can be shared with our local Clubs, and strengthens the connections between Clubs.

At my next  opportunity I will ask my Club to establish Friendship Link with all Clubs who hosted me, as well as with the Clubs of the other Ambassadors. This is will be the first step to bringing SI to the next level as an community services organisation, which is effective, efficient and global.

Read a SoroptiVoice blog post from four EEC Ambassadors who visited Malaysia.

For more updates and photos visit the Educate, Exchange Connection New Zealand Ambassadors Facebook page, the SISWP Facebook page or  the Soroptimist SISWP Federation website