International Project for CFUW Perth and Etobicoke
Every year from coast to coast in Canada, CFUW clubs undertake wonderful international projects to support schools in Asia or Africa or to advance the education of women and girls worldwide. Many clubs also hold special events to commemorate International Women’s Day, whether by hosting a film screening, speaker, or special event. Any of these activities raise awareness of human rights surrounding women and girls and can well raise the profile of your local club or provincial council. And may become an inspiration for another club.
We need to spread the word about what our clubs are doing to raise awareness of international issues and International Women’s Day, IWD, and the especially commend those clubs who have initiated such activities. Hence the International Relations and IWD awards. Yes, both awards have ‘International” in the title, but are for different types of events.
Light Sun solar lamps
For a bit of inspiration, let’s look at an international activity. Annually, CFUW Perth and District budgets for an international project. In Autumn of 2017, an executive member proposed supporting the portable Little Sun solar lamp. This economical and safe lamp provides light for women and girls to study at night, move securely in the dark and tend to family members and livestock. The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) operates in many places around the world, including Ethiopia where flooding, drought, and conflict have caused many to be internally displaced and to thus exist in camps.
The solar lamp is a good solution. And the project resonated with members of CFUW Perth and District and the community in that every $ donated would go directly to the purchase of a solar lamp to be given to a woman or girl in Ethiopia. A total of $3336 was collected which resulted in the distribution of some 417 solar lamps. Indeed, CFUW Perth and District tied with UWC Montreal for the International Relations award for 2018 but did not stop there.
“I walk with this on my neck. I consider it a jewel that brings light to my path at night.”
Other clubs take up the project…
Through a newsletter article (including photos), the creation of a Biteable video and Facebook posts, CFUW Perth and District challenged other CFUW clubs to embark upon a similar project. And CFUW Etobicoke accepted the challenge. They hit the ground running on the trail already blazed by CFUW Perth and District. They established a Little Sun Committee, took the concept into their club and community and raised $7250! This resulted in approximately 700 sun lamps to be distributed to women and girls living in displaced person camps. As one of the Little Sun solar lamp recipients stated: “I walk with this on my neck. I consider it a jewel that brings light to my path at night.” What is better than that?
Yes, this Little Sun solar lamp is a fine example of how a small thing can make a big difference in the lives of women and girls. And how an initiative by one club can be used and made their own by another club.
Submitted by the International Relations committee
