Holiday Dinner Treat with Women in Jail

 

SI Malabon President-elect Mirla Guevara, along with other officers and members of the club shared their time, effort and financial support to prepare a delicious Christmas dinner for women in prison last December 25, 2011.

Malabon City Jail accommodates close to 150 detainees who are classified as detention prisoners.  Within its walls are women aged 18 to 60 years old.  Prisoners undergoing trials and those who are convicted are mixed together in this jail.  These are women separated from society and most importantly, separated from their families.

The harsh reality is that the  budget for meal allowance in jail cannot be stretched to sustain the increasing number of women prisoners.

SIM cooked sumptuous foods for the prisoners to enjoy and forget for a while their loneliness.  After the meal, a song was performed by the oldest inmates, followed by a dance contest among the detainees.  They expressed their gratitude to our club at the end of the activity, for making them feel that they have not been abandoned by society.  On the members’ part, the activity made us discover that helping others is our path to happiness.

Women in Prison

Ten officers and members of SI Malabon celebrated Human Rights Day by visiting women prisoners at the Malabon City Jail.  We found that some inmates shed tears upon seeing us, perhaps for enlivening their hopes and the assurances we brought - that society still cared for them.

Malabon City Jail accommodates close to 150 detainees who are classified as detention prisoners. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology admits that with the increasing number of women detainees, the budget allocation per inmates for basic needs often is not enough.

SIM distributed biscuits, fruits, personal hygiene products such as towel, soap, toothpaste and  skin ointments for rashes and other skin ailments.  After the distribution, the prisoners shared with us their morning dance exercises, synchronized with music which they enjoy doing everyday.

After the activity, the prisoners expressed their appreciation and thanks for our visit.

SI MALABON DZAR Radio Interview

One of the highlights of SIM's public awareness campaign was the live radio interview on DZAR – Sonshine Radio 1026 Khz, on September 12, 2011.

The radio appearance gave SIM an opportunity to announce the search for WOA, Ruby, VRA and Unsung Heroes Awards throughout the country.  DZAR is heard nationwide and also has a live streaming website to reach audiences abroad.

A photo release of the club also made it into the front page of the Philippine Star on June 2011.

Free Pap Smear

30 women benefited from SI Malabon's free Pap Smear project, held at its adopted barangay, Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon City, last September 17, 2011.  The project aims to screen  for cervical cancer as well as promote women's health by raising awareness on facts related to the transmission of sexually transmitted illnesses such as HIV, UTI and HPV.

Club President Attends Leadership Seminar in Hawaii

The  club  president, Jeannie Sandoval, attended Soroptimist International of the America’s (SIA) Soroptimist Invitational Leadership  Seminar -  Relax  and  Pause  at the  Tapa  Conference  Center,  Hilton  Hawaiian,  Honolulu,  Hawaii, held on August  26-27, 2011.  General  Sessions  on  Leading Strategically, and Leading  Soroptimist Strategically were presented  during  the seminar.

Plant a Tree for Soroptimist Week

Members and officers of the SI of Malabon went to La Mesa Ecopark and helped plant trees and nurture them, as part of their participation in the SIPR Annual Soroptimist Week lineup of activities.

For the week-long commemoration, SIM also participated in the Holy Mass at the EDSA Shrine on August 31 in honor of Ms. Mariquita Castelo, who was the founder of SIPR.  Members also joined the Bowling Challenge held at San Juan City on August 29.

Mission at Hospicio de San Jose

SI Malabon officers and members visited Hospicio de San Jose in Manila, last August 27, 2011 and distributed personal hygiene products, fruits, biscuits, pre-owned clothes, slippers, and cough medicines to homeless and elderly women at the center.

Hospicio de San Jose houses 200 abandoned and elderly women aged between 55 to 98 years old.  Some of them are suffering from illnesses, while others claim to be victims of domestic violence in their younger years.

We show them our love and concern by regularly visiting them and distributing essentials, as well as entertaining them with our members' dance and singing numbers.

Soroptimist 2009-2010 Video Annual Report

"When clubs participate in Soroptimist programs and/or give money to ensure the programs remain strong, they become part of an international effort to improve the lives of women and girls. This video details the impact of those efforts and illustrates the power of women helping women." - SIAHQ

Homeless Women

On March 29, 2011 Soroptimist International of Malabon, led by it's president Jeannie Sandoval, Lilibeth Chua and Cora Campos, visited and distributed goods like toiletries, biscuits, milk, noodles, canned goods and cough medicines to homeless elderly women at the Missionaries of Charity Home of Joy.

The Missionaries of Charity Home of Joy, house 80 abandoned elderly women aged 60 to 92 years old who were mostly from poor families. 28 of them were victims of domestic violence during their younger years, while some are suffering from illnesses. To make them feel loved and important, SI Malabon regularly visits them, bringing foods and entertaining them by singing and dancing.

The Missionaries of Charity Home is run by nuns from the order of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Soroptimist in Action: Public Awareness on Empowering Women

SI Malabon conducted a public awareness campaign through a seminar on "Empowering Women and Children to End the Cycle of Abuse." This was to let the public know of the rights of women and children as protected by Republic Act 9262 or the "Violence Against Women and Children Act." The seminar was held at Barangay Catmon, Malabon.

The seminar aims to promote the rights given by the said law to women and children.

PCI Virginia Tejuco of Barangay Catmon was the resource speaker for RA 9262.

PUBLIC AWARENESS ON EMPOWERING WOMEN

Soroptimist International of Malabon conducted a Public Awareness Seminar on rights of women and children as protected by Republic Act 9262 and 7610, otherwise known as anti-violence against women and their children. The seminar was intended to empower women and children with knowledge to end the cycle of abuse.

More than 100 women and girls attended the seminar while eight(8)officers and members help distribute the “safe cards” after the seminar.

FREE NATAL AND FAMILY PLANNING SEMINAR

In celebration of International Womens' Day last March 8,2011, SI Malabon conducted Free Natal Checkup and Family Spacing Seminar in a Barangay Health Center in Malabon. SI Malabon Treasurer , Lilibeth Chua, assisted more than ten (10) young mothers in the free check up.

SI Malabon and SI Metro Manila NorthWest District Awarding for WOA and Ruby Awards

SI Malabon and SI Metro Manila NorthWest District Awarding for WOA and Ruby Awards March 5 2011, with upcoming Fashion Fundraising event April 2011.

SOROPTIMIST SISTERS – AND THE WONDERS OF ASHITABA PLANTS

SI Malabon members Beth and Sally are fondly called the “Soroptimist Sisters”. Beth is the Treasurer of the club who is often seen in club projects and meetings. Sally, on the other hand is the shy and resourceful type. She stays at home managing the family business while doing offline and online research for the club, and seeing to the regular updates of the club's website.

The Soroptimist Sisters came to know about the Ashitaba Plant and the benefits that this plant could give to poor women in the community and nearby areas. They went to the former location of the famous “Smokey Mountain” bringing with them the Ashitaba Plants. There are still many people living there, mostly poor residents. Women and girls in the area had since propagated the plant. They had been using the plant to cure several ailments.

The women and girls and their families were very thankful to Beth and Sally for taking time out of their busy schedule and had the time to care for them. They also came to know about Soroptimist, an organization of professional and businesswomen whose aim is to improve the lives of women and girls.

FREE PAP SMEAR TEST

SI Malabon conducted free pap smear tests for women and girls at Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon City – our adopted barangay.

30 women and girls benefited from the free test. The project raised awareness on the prevention of diseases such as myona, cervical cancer and HIV/AIDS. It also tackled other women health care issues. Nine (9) SI Malabon officers and members assisted in the event.

PNP WOMEN'S DESK MOA SIGNING

The Soroptimist International of Malabon had a Memorandum of Agreement signing with PNPWPCD PO3 Benita Tarte on February 12, 2011 at Pescadores Restaurant. The MOA sets the foundation for the organization's project to enhance the PNP Women's Desk, through the empowerment of women and children to end the cycle of abuse.

TEEN DATING, VIOLENCE AND ABUSE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

A Workshop on Teen Dating Awareness, Abuses and Teen Pregnancy Prevention was held last February 12, 2011 at Barangay Tonsuya in Malabon City – a Soroptimist International of Malabon's adopted barangay.

SI Malabon mother and daughter team headed by PP Lourdes Tiu and Mary Lorraine Pascual spoke as keynote speakers. Topics discussed were about early pregnancy and subjects on teen dating, violence and abuses so that participants are made aware of their rights and what behaviors are acceptable in the eyes of the law and societal norms.

The workshop was attended by high school girls. SI Malabon also distributed teen dating bookmarks to participants as a souvenir and reminder of what was discussed on the workshop.