$20,000 GRANTED TO WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES

December 10, 2008
Contact: Kamali Brooks, Public Relations Manager
215-893-9000 x130, kamali@soroptimist.org 

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Soroptimist International of the Americas, an international volunteer organization of business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, presented a $20,000 disaster recovery grant to its Soroptimist clubs in the Philippines Region to provide women and girls the assistance and resources needed to rebuild their lives.

The coastal community of San Fernando, Romblon, was affected when Typhoon Frank sunk a vessel off the coast of Mabini, leaking a poisonous substance into the water. The mayor was forced to suspend any fishing, the community’s main source of livelihood, making it necessary for mothers and young girls to find another source of income.

“The residents of San Fernando face the bleak future of rebuilding their lives,” said Soroptimist Philippines Region Governor Carmen Flor. “Without a means of livelihood, they will be unable to repair their devastated homes, impassable roads and roofless schools, as they try to survive one day at a time.” In order to improve conditions, officers of the Soroptimist Philippines Region will use the $20,000 grant to fund reconstruction of destroyed homes. Funds will also be used to build a multipurpose hall where women will learn skills to preserve food, grow vegetables and sew dresses. Subsequently, Soroptimist club members in the Philippines Region will provide the women with a microloan to start their own businesses, using their newly learned skills to support their families.

“We are pleased to be able to provide assistance to women in the Philippines,” commented Soroptimist’s president, Alice Wells of Phoenix, Arizona. “Their talent and energy will be invaluable in helping to rebuild areas destroyed by the typhoon.” 

Soroptimist’s disaster recovery grants, which range from $1,000 to $20,000, assist women who have been victims of natural disasters or acts of war. Soroptimist has long been concerned about the disproportionate effects of disasters on women and girls. In addition to providing the Disaster Recovery Grants, Soroptimist recently funded a research study conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), titled “Women in the Wake of the Storm: Examining the Post-Katrina Realities of the Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast,” which is available at: <http://www.soroptimist.org/whatwedo/programs.html#DisasterReliefFund>. The study found that women faced and continue to confront special challenges to their health, safety, and economic wellbeing in the lingering aftermath of hurricane Katrina; that women were at an increased risk of exposure to sexual assault and domestic violence; and that they encounter greater economic hurdles when rebuilding their lives.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist is an international volunteer women’s organization offering programs that improve social and economic conditions for women and girls. Its major program, the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards, provides cash grants for women seeking to improve their lives with the help of additional education and training. Each year, more than $1 million is disbursed to deserving women through this award-winning program. Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also sponsors the Live Your Dream campaign in recognition of the power of women and their dreams. Visit the campaign's online home at: <LiveYourDreamCampaign.org>. For more information on how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit <Soroptimist.org>.

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