PROGRAMS
Soroptimist’s mission is to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. In order to accomplish this goal, the organization administers several local projects and programs.
Impact Project Report
SI Mandaluyong Receives $8500 SIA Grant for “Screen & Treat”
“Screen and Treat” is a health project of the club aimed at providing marginalized women access to free breast examination and cervical screening for early detection of cancer and/or other illnesses. Targeting at least 500 women, the club will conduct the screenings several times this year with the cooperation of Mandaluyong City Health Office, Kababaihan Kakaiba ng Mandaluyong, Mandaluyong City Medical Center, our adopted Barangay Poblacion, and some local barangays. The health institutions will provide the doctors, nurses and midwives to do the screening. The club, through its grant, will purchase all the necessary supplies, tools and materials needed to implement the project, from disposable speculum, gloves, underpads, cotton, Betadine, Feminine Wash, antibiotics for minor infections, others and the most important material needed, Del Monte Vinegar. Yes, the cervical screening will make use of acetic acid wash (vinegar) that the health professionals are promoting which will reduce screening cost by 75%.
Three weeks before the scheduled date, 500 pieces of flyers were distributed in different barangays enticing women to come for the examinations. Last August 22, after the Mandaluyong City Hall Monday flag ceremony, the project was launched and given support by Mayor Benhur Abalos himself, who lauded the Soroptimists for this worthy endeavor. August also happens to be the anniversary month of the club which is on its 17th year. Four streamers were displayed in the community and in City Hall for this event. It was also mentioned by President Rosie Lardizabal in the radio interview given by Aladin Tarucan at “ SAGIP LAHI “ Program, DWDD aired on August 13, 2011 .
The first screening was held at the San Rafael corner Martinez St, , Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong with 5 doctors, 16 midwives and 5 nurses in attendance. An orientation was given by a health worker from the Department of Health on breast examination, cervical screening, and feminine hygiene tips. Club members coordinated the event with registration, interviews, distribution of supplies and lunch boxes, and made sure the event ran smoothly. A total of 160 women came but preliminary interviews disallowed some due to female monthly periods and other concerns and so only 138 were examined. Pap smear slides were sent to laboratory for tests but only 126 results were released. Preliminary results show that about 50 % have infections and will be followed up at health centers.
The club hopes that thru this project, it can help women prevent and/or discover cancer and other illnesses at their treatable stages. Those found positive will be referred to government hospitals thru the networking efforts of the Mayor’s office and Soroptimist International of Mandaluyong. Next screening event will be scheduled in October 4, to coincide with Breast Cancer Month.
Adopt-A-Barangay
On Jul6, 2011, SI Mandaluyong launched the “ Feeding Children, Teaching Mothers “ in their new adopted Bgy. Poblacion, with 45 undernourished girls and 45 mothers as beneficiaries, using the same schedule of 3 times a week for 6 months. The children will be fed for 90 days to see positive results by February, 2012. This is in conjunction with the Nutrition Council of Mandaluyong City. SI Mandaluyong received a recognition award from the City of Mandaluyong.
Barangay Programs
A. IMPACT PROJECT – “Feeding Children, Teaching Mothers”
A six-month nutrition program for malnourished children in the disadvantaged sector of the community, that incorporates learning through kiddie classes, while mothers are provided informative and educational seminars on health, well-being, environmental concerns, livelihood skills training and women’s and children’s rights.
B. Livelihoods Projects
Skills training development program:
- Hair Science
- Massage Therapy
- Care giving
- Cooking & Sewing
C. Health Programs
- Cervical cancer awareness
- Breastfeeding awareness, practices and implementation
- Dental health
- Family Planning
Adopt-A-PNP Women & Children Protection Desk
Through this project, SIM partners with the police force in its community, and provides support to its adopted PNP-Women’s & Children’s Protection Desk by providing logistical support for office equipment and other necessary materials and supplies for the improvement of their facilities, thereby allowing them to effectively perform their tasks in protecting and upholding the dignity of women who are victims of abuse, violence and sexual trafficking. The Club also provides stipends to policewomen to enable them to attend conferences on policing.
Soroptimist Program Awards for Women and Girls
WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY AWARDS
SIA’s signature project
The award gives women the financial resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employments opportunities. Qualified applicants are women who provide the main source of financial support to their family, and are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or a vocational training course – displaying a strong desire and aspiration to improve their economic and social status but do not have the necessary means.
Click here to read more about the Women’s Opportunity Awards
Our Club Winner for 2010-2011: Ms. Marriane U. Villarosa – 2nd Place, District Category
RUBY AWARD
Recognizes women helping other women and girls improve their lives through their personal or professional capabilities.
Click here to read more about the Soroptimist Ruby Award
Our Club Winner for 2010-2011: Ms. Herminia F. Crisostomo
VIOLET RICHARDSON AWARD
Recognizes young women, ages 14 to 17, who make the community and the world a better place through volunteer actions in promoting a better environment, fighting drugs, crime and violence, or fighting discrimination and poverty.
Click here to read more the Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award
Our Club Winner for 2010-2011: Ms. Amber Mae F. Faja – 2nd Place, District Category
UNSUNG WOMEN HEROES AWARD
SIPR’s signature program.
This program honors women who strive to improve the lives of women and girls in their communities in their personal or professional capacity despite the scarcity of resources. It endeavors to generate recognition for women from the grassroots level and disadvantaged sectors.
If you know of women who will qualify for any of these awards, please contact SI Mandaluyong. The Soroptimist organization wishes to recognize these women who make a difference in the lives of others, through their exemplary service activities, contributions and leadership.
SIGNIFICANT PROJECT UNDERTAKINGS
Impact Project: Feeding and Nutrition Program
“Feeding Children, Teaching Mothers”
Now on its 8th year, the Feeding Program of SI Mandaluyong is a continuous undertaking throughout the year. The program has 45 undernourished girls, ages 3-5, with feeding sessions of 3 times a week, for a duration of 6 months.
Proper food and nutrition lectures are provided to the mothers of the participants, which includes teaching them on the actual preparation of simple but nutritious food for feeding to the children during the sessions.
The mothers are lectured on important issues like environmental sanitation, dental health, family spacing, breastfeeding, women’s and children’s rights.
This program is undertaken in coordination with the Mandaluyong City Barangay Nutrition Scholars and local health officers. SI Mandaluyong has consistently received recognitions and awards for its effective nutrition program, most recent of which is the “Gawad Nutrisyon” award given by the City of Mandaluyong.
Livelihood projects
- July 13, 2011, 9 AM – 11:30 AM
Mandaluyong Manpower Development Center‘s 63rd Commencement exercises held July 13, 2011 from 9 AM – 11:30 AM at Mandaluyong Gym – attended by Pres. Rosie Laardizabal, IPP Virginia Penalosa, & PP Susan Nieva
Punong Namamahala, MMDC – Mrs. Merlita Tampinco
Number of Graduates supported by SIM from January 3, 2011 to July 3, 2011
Caregiver NC II – 28
Beauty Care NC II – 62
Hair Science – 42
Dressmaking NC II – 40
Total graduates = 172
“ Lutong Pangkabuhayan at Livelihood Fair (refer to Soroptimist Week )
Launching of the Livelihood Training of Recycled Paper Bag Making at National Center for Mental Health – Rosie Lardizabal (gave message) & Perry Reyes
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Breastfeeding Awareness
This awareness focuses on providing information on the importance of breastfeeding in the health, development and nutrition of infants starting from childbirth, and its beneficial effects on mothers, particularly on Family Spacing.
Training on actual practice and implementation are also provided. The participants are encouraged to be breastfeeding advocates by teaching friends, neighbors and relatives about its practice and benefits.
Outreach
Yearly donations in various kinds are also made to the facilities of the Sanctuary Center, Mandaluyong City – a haven for mentally-challenged female patients.
Other Projects
Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) encourages clubs within its federation to undertake the following global programs:
stop trafficking in women
Forums are conducted in the barangay and in schools to provide awareness about this global crime against women and girls, and how the public can help in its prevention.
Click here to read more about STOP trafficking
Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence
A campaign brought to workplaces for awareness on the ill effects of domestic violence and why it should be a workplace concern.
This is held every year on Nov. 25, in celebration of International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women.
Click here to read more about the Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence
teen-age dating violence
Raises awareness among teen-agers about healthy teen relationships and teen dating violence.
sigma society (for students)
A society of female college students endorsed by a Soroptimist Club, with the objective of providing the Soroptimists the opportunity to work with young women and instill in these young people the desire to perform volunteer service in the community and to help the Soroptimist mission of improving the lives of women and girls.
SI Mandaluyong formed the Sigma Society in Rizal Technological University, Mandaluyong City, with an initial membership of 29 female college students, mostly in their junior year.
Soroptimist International of Mandaluyong meets every month at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan City.
