CARIBBEAN, CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA AREA NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE CARIBBEAN, CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA AREA NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2005   I KNOW it's back to school after a long July-August vacation in our area. I hope that you managed to get some rest even though children, grandchildren, relatives and friends were all at home. I wish to congratulate all who were successful at examinations, entering higher grades or going off to college or university. FWIO PROJECT: I am sure that we are all very grateful for the handicraft project instituted by our sisters in Ontario. Some societies have received material already and, for those who have not, I am sure that parcels will soon come your way. FWIO International Officer Mary Janes says that members in Ontario are very keen so I would suggest that as you carry on your project you get some photographs taken that you can send to the donor institutes. I look forward to a magnificent display of work at our Area Conference. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs): The secretary to the UN Committee would like us to state how much work we have done towards implementing the objectives intended to be achieved by 2015. Are we organising programmes in our various communities which will help: • Eradicate poverty and hunger • Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases • Achieve universal primary education • Reduce child mortality • Improve maternal health Are you aware of your government's policy re the MDGs? We will not be able to do everything at once, but I wish to present a few statistics on HIV/AIDS in our area: • 440,000 are living with the disease • Fewer than five per cent have access to treatment • 53,000 persons acquired the disease by 2004# • 36,000 people died • Infection has increased in the 15-25 age group, with more females affected WORLD RURAL WOMEN'S DAY (WRWD) – October 15: I trust that you are planning your activities for WRWD. John Hill, editor of The Countrywoman, would like to receive photographs and news items for the magazine. AREA CONFERENCE: Suggested dates: March 21-28. Country: St Vincent and the Grenadines. Theme: From Beijing to the MDGs We are hoping for at least two representatives from each society. 25th TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE: June 2007 may seem to be a long way off but we know how expensive it will be for us in this area. I urge those who are interested in attending the conference in Finland to start making your plans if you have not already begun. HURRICANE SEASON: We hope and pray that we will not be affected this time around but the season is forecast to go on to November so I urge you to pay heed to the news and carry out instructions hen necessary. Our prayers are with our sisters in Louisiana Mississippi, Texas, and elsewhere in the USA who may hae been affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. NEW MEMBER SOCIETY: We wish to welcome ODEMIFH, which represents Haitian immigrants residing in the Dominican Republic. In the future I will suggest some ways in which we can help our sisters in their struggle to improve the quality of life for women and their families. OBITUARY: Valgean Charles, late President of the Grenada Home Markers Association, a stalwart of the community, passed away in June. I attended the funeral and expressed condolences on behalf of ACWW and societies of the area. A letter of condolence was sent from Central Office. I close with some words of the TTFWI song:   There's much to learn, much to do To keep our Federation true. The die is cast it's up to you, Organise Oh Organise Best Wishes Margaret L. Browne ACWW Area President, Caribbean, Central & South America September 2005 Back to top I Home