Monday 2nd March, from 7.30pm in the upstairs function room of The Peterborough.
New members welcome!
Please remember subs are due this month. Cheques should be made payable to Fulham WI for £29.00.
Since our March meeting falls during Fairtrade Fortnight and with the recent launch of the 'Women Reaching Women' Project, this month's speaker seems to be particularly appropriate:
Oxfam in Mali: Empowering Women, Overcoming Poverty
Phil Smith is a volunteer in Oxfam's Marylebone High Street Bookshop and in October 2008 he travelled with Oxfam to Mali.
Mali is vast West African Republic, richly diverse in climates, cultures and ethnic groups; it is also one of the poorest countries in the world. Oxfam's work in Mali ranges from the education and water-provision projects in the country's Saharan North to its work with the cotton-producing cooperatives of Mali's rural South, and in this talk, Phil will describe how the empowerment of women lies at the heart of Oxfam's work.
In the Sahara desert, the women of Bamba town are key players in the public health promotion and nutritional education campaigns which Oxfam is coordinating while in the southern district of Garalo, Kadija Doumbia - a succesful organic cotton farmer and committee chairperson - provides an example of how organic farming can lead to increased financial security and bring about a change in attitudes to the traditional patriarchy of her village.
News and Events
Charity for 2009
We will be voting for our annual local charity in the February meeting. The chosen charities that have been shortlisted below, if you can’t attend the meeting please let me know which one you would like to vote for.
Thrive Battersea Garden Project
The Thrive Battersea Garden Project in Battersea Park, London, has been helping disabled Londoners [men AND women!!] through gardening for nearly 25 years.
Thrive works in three different garden areas within Battersea Park – the main garden near the sports arena, the Herb Garden close to Albert Gate and the Old English Garden on North Carriage Drive.
With today’s facilities they help around 50 disabled people per year from local communities. The gardeners may have learning, physical or mental health disabilities, but through programmes which are specifically developed to meet their needs, Thrive helps them realise their life goals and ambitions.
Earl's Court Community Project
The Earl's Court Community Project is a Christian-based service offering advice, counselling and support for people with a range of problems, including alcohol or drug abuse, prostitution, poverty. Lunch, tea/coffee Mon, Weds, Thurs. Women's drop-in Thursday. Help with clothing, furniture, finding accommodation. Individual and family support. Help with writing letters, filling in forms, CVs. Help with emotional or spiritual issues.
Events
Bread Making – Saturday, March 7
We have arranged a bread making day with Betty in New Malden. The cost is £10 per person and is based on a first come, first served basis. Please bring your money to the March meeting if it is of interest.
Polo in the Park at the Hurlingham Club – Saturday, June 6
We are planning a trip to the polo in June – tickets are £30 per person. All family and friends are welcome. If you are interested in coming along please email fulhamwi@gmail.com
FWI Midsummer Masquerade Ball – Saturday, July 11
After the success of our annual Christmas Balls we have been contemplating organising this years’ Ball in July. The plan is to hold the event at the University Women’s Club in Mayfair – it will be reception drinks, 3-course meal with ½ bottle of wine, disco and a casino. We will also be having a raffle where we will be asking for help with prizes. There will be 140 tickets to sell at £50 each. If this is something that you are interested in attending or can offer any help please email fulhamwi@gmail.com Full details will be coming shortly, but it would be good to know if there is any interest in this event.
See you on Monday!
Fulham WI Committee x
