Inspiring women articles

SI Lautoka Mangrove Planting

The club undertook planting 1,000 Mangrove seedlings under Sustainable Development Goal Objective 6 – Environmental sustainability/water/sanitation at the Tavarau Village Coastal area, Lautoka, Fiji. This project was undertaken as a club initiative to restore coastal ecosystems, protect shorelines from erosion and promote environmental stewardship within the community. Mangroves play a vital role in supporting marine life, improving water quality and reducing the impact of storms and coastal flooding.

The activity involved careful site preparation, transportation of seedlings with the help of Forestry Department Officers and the planting of 1,000 healthy mangrove seedlings in the area. Members of the club together with volunteers worked together to ensure proper spacing and planting techniques giving the seedlings the best opportunity to survive and grow.

This project was made possible through the commitment and cooperation of volunteers and the club members. Club Secretary Kiran Lata said teamwork and dedication were key to achieving our planting target. She added that the club will continue to plant more Mangroves in various coastal areas in Lautoka, Fiji.

In conclusion, planting 1,000 mangrove seedlings is a meaningful investment in the health of our coastal environment. While the benefits will develop over time, this project represents an important step toward building more resilient coastlines and supporting future generation

SI Shepparton Kindness Packed into a Backpack

SI Shepparton has an increasing number of homeless people and a large proportion of them are female and youth. The local community groups do not have enough resources to help everyone in need and are in desperate need from other organisations to assist with donations and goods. Many of the women leave abusive relationships and often leave with no belongings or money.

After consulting with local community hubs SI Shepparton decided to put together 60 backpacks filled with essential items to support women experiencing homelessness. The Health, Human Rights and Status of Women Committee sourced items, purchased 60 backpacks and filled them with winter essentials such as scarves, warm socks, beanies and gloves, toiletries and personal items, a mug, plate, cutlery, and small personal items, a torch, notebook, pens. Some of the goods are donated by local businesses and the remainder purchased from Soroptimist fundraising.

An excerpt from publicity printed in the Shepparton News “A group of Shepparton women are quietly supporting the lives of some of the region’s most vulnerable through a simple but powerful act of kindness — a backpack filled with essentials.

The Shepparton Soroptimists, a volunteer-based group, now with 32 members, have spent the past four years supporting women experiencing homelessness.

Thirteen of those members are part of the club’s “grey warriors”, meeting once a month and responsible for sourcing, packing and delivering these winter backpack donations.

This year, the group donated 60 backpacks to three local organisations, The Bridge Youth Service, The Salvation Army and Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, which then distributed them directly to women in need. “

SISA Region Newsletter - Volume 1

Discover the firstt edition of SISA Insights – Volume 1, May 2026, celebrating the inspiring work of Soroptimist clubs across South Australia. This issue features updates from the new Region Team, highlights from the Conference of Clubs in Malaysia, award-winning projects, advocacy for women experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, and the recognition of the region's Single Mothers Support Advocacy initiative. You'll also find club news showcasing community service, fundraising, environmental action, education, and collaboration as members continue making a meaningful difference for women and girls across the region.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF NEWSLETTER HERE

SI Bangsar Beach Clean Up

BEACH CLEANUP DAY - A COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE BETWEEN SI BANGSAR AND ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY.

In conjunction with the World Environment Month 2026, a collaborative initiative between SICB and Asia Pacific University (APU), we have lined up a series of events for the month.

The Project Title: Sustainable Eco Action through Campus and Community, will be carried out from 8 June 2026 – 5 July 2026,

Here is the Week 2 activity:

????♻️ **Morib Beach Cleanup 2026: From Awareness to Action**

On 20 June 2026, 32 APU students joined 8 representatives from SICB, APU, GPS, and MPKL for a meaningful beach cleanup at Pantai Kelanang, Banting, Selangor.

The day began with a briefing on beach cleanup procedures, safety guidelines, and environmental responsibility, followed by a warm-up session. Volunteers were then divided into groups and equipped with separate bags for recyclables and general waste.

In just one hour, the volunteers successfully collected and segregated approximately *70 kg of waste*, helping to restore the beauty of the beach while raising awareness about environmental stewardship.

The activity concluded with a reflection session, appreciation to all participants, group photographs, and lunch before returning to APU.

This initiative demonstrates how collective action can make a real difference in protecting our environment. Our heartfelt thank you to all volunteers and partners who contributed to the success of this event.