Womens Institute

Local Institute Women

The local Selwyn Womens Institute ladies are a warm group of hard working women, with a strong sense of caring and community.

Jim and I were invited to come and share about our children's charity, The Julia Project, through our connection with one of their members, and our dear friend, Joan Edwards.

Joan has supported our efforts since we first met after our first Garden Party Fundraiser in 2008. Joan writes a community column in our local newspaper and has written us up many times, always helping to promote our vision.

Joan's friend, Beryl Harris, is the branch Citizenship and Legislation Convenor who encouraged us to be this months speaker.

We had an enjoyable afternoon sharing about our vision and answering their interesting questions.

We are so thankful for the opportunity and for the connections and new friends that we've made today.

Special thanks too, to Doreen Mann, their President, who made us so welcome and allowed us a generous portion of time in their agenda.


Jim preparing to share about his adventures in Kenya, at The Selwyn Women's Institute.	Some of The Women's Institute ladies who listened so intently and made us feel at home.

The Women's Institute Ode

A touching part of the opening of the meeting was when we all stood and joined together in reciting the following Ode. It is noted on their brochure that the first official reports of the Ode occurred between 1910 and 1915.

It certainly speaks of who these women are.

Another little poem was entitled 'Coming Together' and it immediately reminded me of the Kenya country motto 'Harambee', which is one of the national symbols of Kenya that means 'Let's all pull together' in Swahili.

The same heart of The Womens Institute, even though they are separated by so many miles.

TOP of Womens Institute
RETURN to Acknowledgements
HOME to Helping Children Around The World