International Women's Day

CUFA and Cuscal hosted a very successful morning tea on Friday 7 March, to signify their support of women in the workplace, and for women across the globe, on International Women’s Day (IDW).

The morning tea was themed with CUFA’s current women’s project in the Solomon Islands, where women will attend a 3-day Young Women’s Leadership Program in order to learn Financial Literacy, Health and Hygiene, and Confidence. There will be 4 workshops across 4 different islands, teaching more than 400 women in total. The main purpose of the program is to empower young women and encourage greater community involvement, particularly within the field of finance.

Cuscal’s social club, Revive, held a raffle on CUFA’s behalf, which raised an impressive $850.00. All of the money raised will be used for micro-financing purposes for the women of Sasamunga- a very remote village on the island of Choiseul, which was devastated by a tsunami last April. Sasamunga women will use the money to buy new sewing machines and 44 gallon wooden drums, so they will be able to start small businesses in selling clothes and bread at markets.

The IWD morning tea was attended by over 80 people, with special guests including Credit Union Australia director Chris Frank, Gwendolyn Parker from the Amora Hotel and Donna Armstrong, editor of New Woman magazine.

John Gilbert, CEO of Cuscal, demonstrated his strong support of women and International Women’s Day by dialling in from interstate, so that he could speak at the event. Cuscal’s strong support for CUFA’s Young Women’s Leadership Program is also evident in sponsoring the printing costs for the educational material for the workshops. This equates to 400 financial literacy booklets, 400 health and hygiene booklets, and 800 posters covering financial literacy, health, and women ‘s confidence. CUFA is extremely grateful at this generous gesture, which was inspired by BT&PS Executive Officer Angela Donohoe.

In addition to thanking Cuscal for their sponsoring the printing costs and for hosting the event, CUFA would also like to thank a number of people who contributed a great deal of time and energy into making the IWD morning tea such a success. Nadia De Lafoix did an amazing job raising donated raffle prizes from business Odette’s Perfumery, Michel’s Salon, Fuse Jewellery, manicure and pedicure gift vouchers from A.N.S Beauty, and a carte blanche for lunch at Bar Expresso. Nadia also inspired catering donations from Bakehouse Catering, Michels Patisserie and Rockwall Catering. What an effort!

Executive assistant to John Gilbert, Elizabeth Phillips, generated a $100.00 gift voucher from Amora Hotel to use in their Charr Restaurant, and also added 2 wine packs donated by CBD Wine Cellars to the raffle. Finally, Kathy Alexander and CUE Super donated 2 wine and chocolate gift packs. There was no doubt that such support and hard work made for a truly outstanding range of prizes that were eagerly swept up in the raffle.

CUFA would also like to acknowledge Cuscal’s Tanya Smith, who’s graphic design skills inspired a terrific poster used to promote the morning tea. Karen Morris is yet another person to be thanked, who also assisted in many behind the scenes tasks to ensure the morning tea ran smoothly. Catherine Mah and the Ryan Nichols also assisted with the setting up and running the slideshow that was on display at the morning tea.

CUFA is extremely grateful to all of the persons mentioned, as well as those who attended the morning tea and to those who supported the raffle. It will have a powerful and positive impact on generating business opportunities for the women of Sasamunga, as well as help to empower women and alleviate poverty right across the Solomon Islands.