Every third Thursday of the month, SINMI holds a luncheon meeting at Fiesta Resort’s World Café and welcomes women from the community to join in its mission to better the lives of women and girls in the CNMI.
Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement that advocates for human rights and gender equality, ensuring that the voices of women and girls are heard. Soroptimists work on grassroots projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realize aspirations and have an equal voice in communities worldwide. Soroptimist International charters have a presence in over 120 countries and count over 160,000 members just in the Americas.
On the local front, the organization of women for women and girls conducts various community outreach programs, most notably for Guma Esperansa, Karidat Social Services’ temporary shelter for victims of crime, including domestic violence and human trafficking.
Members of the Soroptimist International–Northern Mariana Islands discuss their upcoming activities during their monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday at Fiesta Resort’s World Café. Photo by K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
Guma Esperansa provides food, shelter, and support for their clients who are working towards getting back on their feet and transitioning out into the community.
During the luncheon on Thursday, the local Soroptimists discussed their upcoming activities, such as the annual Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas gifts for Guma Esperansa.
The club donates to Guma Esperansa a full Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey, ham, and all the fixings every year, Marron said.
After the Thanksgiving dinner, the club prepares for the Christmas gifts for children living at Guma Esparansa.
Marron said the number of children that receives Christmas gifts from SINMI varies yearly and could be anywhere from 10 to 50.
The 18-member SINMI will hold its next meeting at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at World Café.
