SI Bangor and District Projects

Each Soroptimist International club identifies the needs of its community, then establishes specific projects to address these needs. All our projects relate to one or more of the six Programme Focus Areas: Economic and Social Development, Education, Environment, Health, Human Rights and the Status of Women, and International Goodwill and Understanding.

More information is available in the Our Work pages, where you can read more about the current Programme Focus aims and the Quadrennial Project, supported by all clubs in the Federation.

The projects listed below include some of the local and international issues we research and support in SI Bangor and District:

Itala School Zambia

We were privallaged to hear personally from the founder of the Itala School - Mr Albert Mwansa, at a recent meeting. Here seen being presented with some knitted sweaters by one of our honorary members Vera Goodwin.

The school currently has in excess of 1,000 pupils. Approximately 45% of these are orphans, who without this school would have no access to education.
We have sponsored a female teacher to go through teacher training, to be a role model for the girls and bought books.
It is normal in Zambia to be required to have a uniform and pay a fee to go to school, which is beyond the reach of many families.
Itala, will offer a place without funding or uniform, will provide a meal at lunch time.
The suporters in North Wales have recently formed the Itala Foundation in order to fund raise for buildings and staff, this is a registered charity and there is more information available at www.italafoundation.com

Child Contact Centre

During relationship breakdowns, it is important the children maintain contact with both parents.

A number of our members work with the Mothers Union to provide volunteers on a rota basis to staff a Child Contact Centre twice a month.
Referrals are received from the Courts and local Solicitors, couples can also self refer for supervised contact during difficult periods often when the parents do not want to meet.

The Centre hopes that it provides a stepping stone during troubled times, and a starting point to making independant arragements for contact in future.

The volunteers provide an impartial, non confrontational environment for contact with the absent parent. A very rewarding service, with regular success stories of familes moving on to make their own arrangements.
Pictures a group of our members who recently completed update training on our Saturday of Service.

Where have all the chairs gone?

The regional project has been to survey local areas to discover the availablity of seating both inside and outside shops, to make the facilities accessible and usable by both old and disabled persons, allowing them to lead independant lives.

One of the fundraisers we had was a sponsored walk, pictured - Regional President Mair with President of Anglesey, Mrs Ann Jones and President of Bangor Club Janey McGarry.