Project SIerra- Update

Update from SI Project Liaison- Alison Sutherland

"The fantastic sum of GBP£332,155 (that is around USD$500,000) has been sent by SI from Soroptimist clubs and members around the world to our Quadrennial Project, Project SIerra: a Family and a Future. Well done and a BIG thank you!!Our Project partner Hope and Homes for Children's recent letter to SI and Federation Presidents and members shows their thanks and talks of the impact Soroptimists are having through Project SIerra:

" I am very happy to ... thank you for your continued support for Project SIerra; a Family and a Future. Along with the energy and enthusiasm that you are clearly committing to the project, the study trip in February demonstrated the personal commitment many Soroptimists around the world have to creating a better world for women, families and children. All of these efforts are together directly transforming the lives of vulnerable women and children and giving them the means and confidence to plan for a positive future.
The Study Trip was an opportunity for Soroptimists from many different parts of the world to experience the conditions in Sierra Leone under which families and children are struggling not only to survive, but work for a positive future. Despite the difficult conditions, every project site we visited was a real celebration of partnership between Soroptimists and families and children. Although the poverty and deprivation are clear to see, the real joy and hope that the project is providing is equally obvious. The Paramount Chief in Kamakwie summed up the impact of Project SIerra when he said “Your presence here gives us confidence.” That gift of confidence, combined with the means and tools to build a better future is a huge achievement every Soroptimist can be rightly proud of.

On behalf of everyone at Hope and Homes for Children and the women, children and families we are working with in Sierra Leone, thank you so much for all you have done to help: for your compassion and your determination to ensure they have a real chance to carve out a brighter future for themselves, in spite of the challenges they have all lived through.

It has been such a promising start to our partnership and we are all very hopeful about how much Project SIerra can achieve over the next two and a half years."

This was sent with his warm wishes by Joe Glackin, HHC's Africa Programme Manager. Joe accompanied Soroptimists on the Study Tour.

For lots more information and resources on Project SIerra, see www.projectsierra.org