President's Annual 10 December Appeal

December 10, in addition to being the United Nations' Human Rights Day, is also Soroptimist International Day.

International President's 10 December 2011 Appeal was Birthing in the Pacific

“Although the latest UN Statistics reported a trend that there are fewer women dying from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, globally there are still 1,000 women dying a day due to pregnancy and childbirth complications. That is like two giant jumbo jets full of women crashing down daily or 41 women dying every hour and yet no one hears about this. It’s not breaking news. But if a small 12-passenger plane crashes the news is featured on TV around the globe.” (Julie Marsaban, SISWP)

There is a vast array of information on this appeal from the International website. .
 

 

 

 

Started in 1982

The December 10 appeals were started in 1982 by then International President, Catharine Salt, (from the UK). Catharine asked Soroptimists around the world to make a personal sacrifice on this day so that the money raised could be given, at the International President's discretion, to women in great need anywhere in the world. Her choice was to aid refugee women and children in Malaysia. Over US$ 20,000 was raised that year.

 

The last 10 years of Appeals

International Presidents have suggested appeals ever since. In the last 10 years these have been for:

2010 Soroptimists for Education and Leadership

Soroptimists worldwide have overwhelmingly chosen to join together to use our tools of awareness, advocacy, and action to empower women and girls through the long term topic of Education and Leadership. President Hanne Jensbo chose the new Long Term Project and a leaflet was been produced to accompany the appeal.

2009 Hopes & Dreams for Everyone - in Moldova

Partnered by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and CRIC (the Child Rights Information Centre in Maldova), the aim is to educate children regarding the danger of trafficking. It also aims to provide education, a place to live, work possibilities, and an economy that makes them able to maintain a decent way of living in familiar surroundings.

2008 Restoring Dignity - Securing a Future

This year's appeal built on the work of the previous year at the Desta Mender Village in Ethiopia by funding a new cafe and vehicle for the village. The cafe provides employment for girls at the village who are unable to return home - these are girls whose fistulae cannot be completely cured. 

2007 Restoring Dignity

Funds from this appeal provided vocational training and independence for girls who were long term residents at the Desta Mender village at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. 

2006 Project Punjab

In partnership with Oxfam, this increased girls attendance at school and improved the quality of education in a rural, impoverished area of the Punjab in Pakistan.

2005 Roll Back Malaria

Working with the World Health Organisation in the rural community of Zé in Benin, Africa – to ensure that every pregnant woman and children under five was protected against and educated about malaria.

2004 Children of Peace

Working with the organisation, Children of Peace International, funds were provided to restore life to the young women and children living in the Ho Chi Minh Youth Shelter in Vietnam. 

2003 The Dignity Programme

Partnered with the Project for the People of Paraguay to address problems of economic disparity through education, vocational training and job placement for women and families in Paraguay.

2002 Continuum of Care

Working in partnership with Medicine Sans Frontiere in the Ukraine, to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS from mothers to unborn child. 

2001 Peace Ambassadors – Building Peace Among Children

Working in partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS).