May Kidd, World President (centre) with Sister Viji DMI (left)

Thank you for the many cards and warm greetings received during the festive season. I have enjoyed spending some quiet time amongst family and friends, and hope that you were able to do the same. Now here we are at the start of another year, where does the time go?

I recently returned from Tamil Nadu, India. My trip started in Chennai, where the 2013 Triennial Conference will take place. I am grateful to Area President Sister Viji, Father Arul Raj and all the sisters in DMI (the 2013 host society) for their hospitality, care and kindness throughout my time in India. They were there for me constantly and knew what I needed, even before I knew myself!

The Central & South Asia Area Conference was held in quiet, leafy surroundings close to Madurai, a one-hour flight south of Chennai. First, a successful ACWW-funded two-day pre-conference workshop took place.

The Area Conference itself, ably hosted by Sri Sakthi Trust, was attended by delegates from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and all parts of India. Nepal was not forgotten, with a written presentation from Gorkha Women’s Association in the souvenir program. The theme: ‘Women- Redefining the Course of Action towards Transformation’ focussed on looking at how best to achieve positive change.

The societies gave excellent and at times moving accounts of their service. All are involved in empowering women, working in many ways to uplift the marginalised and most disadvantaged. Thousands of self-help groups have been painstakingly set up, in remote villages and the most deprived parts of the cities.

We visited two of the many societies, which have benefitted greatly from ACWW project funding. At Pache Trust, the entire village turned out to greet us. There must have been a thousand men, women and children jostling all around, singing, cheering and waving in joyous welcome.

At the Society for Serving Humanity (SSH), it was good to join in their celebrations for Children’s Day and to hear from the children themselves of their lives and ambitions. I shall never forget the magic of India and cannot wait to return.

Best wishes, everyone, for 2012.

May Kidd MA JP ACWW World President

How times have changed, and nowhere more so than in the field of communication. I was unable to attend the Canada Area Conference in Nova Scotia; instead, with the help of friends, I made a DVD presentation on the current work of ACWW and future plans. I was about to mail the discs to Nova Scotia, when a postal strike hit Canada. Quick action was required and with the aid of an international courier service, the precious package reached the conference in the nick of time.

My thanks go to Area President Margaret Yetman for her card afterwards, with the signatures of all the conference attendees. Yes, it would have been better to be there in person, but we do not always have a choice in these matters and I hope to visit our ACWW friends in Canada next year.

Watching the daily news on our TV screens, it is not unusual to view scenes of unspeakable tragedy and suffering in some part of the world. Natural disaster may strike, as in East Africa where many are dying from drought and famine. When a country is worn down by war, civil or otherwise, our hearts go out to those unwittingly caught up in the fighting.

But it was not natural disaster nor war which struck the people of Norway. The barbaric massacre of many citizens was shocking and completely overwhelming. It is difficult to comprehend, and especially hard to bear because the majority of the victims were young people, dedicated to creating a bright future for their country.

I have been deeply moved and impressed by the quiet dignity with which the Norwegian people have conducted themselves. Several members in Norway have been in touch.
They tell of people coming together in the streets all over the country, talking, crying, united and showing their determination to fight terror with love. I have been told of messages of support from friends around the world; of how those in Romania and Albania lit candles in their windows at the precise time candlelit parades started in Norway. In times of the greatest need, let us never forget the importance of friendship.
And finally, in the words of George Bernard Shaw: “The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that is the essence
of inhumanity.”

Yours in friendship

May Kidd MA JP ACWW World President

“Life is a dream, realise it. 
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it. 
Life is a promise, fulfil it.  
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.  
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is life, fight for it. “

The lines above were read during an ecumenical service at the European Area Conference in Dublin, Ireland.  Since then I have had reason to ponder them, when illness suddenly hit my own family and life became a challenge - and at times a struggle. 

Yet we are fortunate, we have access to health care, millions do not. We have a roof over our heads, millions do not. We have clean water, millions do not. We have food, millions go hungry every day. These are a few of the reasons why ACWW exists, and why we must do even more to support those who desperately need our help.

If you are facing a challenge, please know that you are not alone, that others care.  My mother used to say: “Don’t worry, keep smiling, do something for somebody...quick!”  She was right. Mark Twain said the same thing: “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up”.

2011 being ‘The European Year of the Volunteer’, the conference theme in Dublin was ‘Volunteering’.  This struck a chord with delegates, all of whom give generously of their time, skills and energy to improve the quality of life within their group, community and far beyond, helping others with no thought of reward.

Hosted by the Irish Countrywomen‘s Association (ICA), the conference was honoured when the President of the Irish Republic, Mary McAleese accepted their invitation to participate.  Her friendly manner and inspiring presentation on the volunteering theme won all hearts. The fact that the Irish President took time to be with us says much about the respect, in which the hostess society is held in Ireland. 

Well done, ICA! 

With all good wishes

May Kidd MA JP ACWW World President

ACWW – Empowering Women Worldwide: this is the theme for the triennium 2011- 2013. That broad statement covers every aspect of the work of our organisation. Whether we are training women farmers in Uganda, providing rural families in Bangladesh with safe drinking water, or giving women a voice through our long-standing consultative status with the United Nations, we are empowering them and benefitting whole communities.

I invite you to adopt ACWW’s theme as your own at meetings, conferences, wherever you gather together. There is something inspiring about knowing that from Peru to the Philippines, from Swaziland to Sweden, we are all working towards the same goal – Empowering Women Worldwide.

Back in 1989, it was decided to hold an ACWW Day on April 29 each year, to promote and publicise the organisation. Next year, ACWW Day will be bigger than ever. On or around April 29 2012, you are warmly invited to join in Women Walk the World for ACWW. (Details page 3, January-March 2011 The Countrywoman). Do start now, thinking, discussing, making your plans. How and where will you do it? It’s time to get ready to walk!

Here in north-east Scotland, while attending the half-yearly meeting of my own member society, I was honoured and deeply moved to be made Honorary Chairman of Angus Federation SWRI. It was all the more meaningful as it appears to be the first such honour to be bestowed in the society’s almost 90-year history. So you may understand how I feel when I say a big thank you to my own people, or as we Scots say, ‘my ain folk.’

There was another family occasion when I spoke about ACWW at my sister’s society in Perthshire, Scotland. She is currently president of Fowlis Wester WRI, and neighbouring groups joined in. The occasion was made more special because both of my sisters were there to share the evening. Both are individual members of ACWW and I value their support.

And finally, in the words of American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson:

‘To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.’

Best wishes to all,

May Kidd MA JP ACWW World President

Towards the end of 2010, I was pleased to welcome members of the ACWW Board from all corners of the world to a three-day meeting in London. We listened, learned, reported and discussed. Finally, decisions were made and a plan of action put together for the new triennium, to ensure the future wellbeing of our organisation.

The previous week, all the ACWW specified committees met in London. Their suggestions and recommendations were reported to the Board and form the basis for decisions made. I am most grateful to those dedicated committee members who work freely and tirelessly for ACWW, many travelling long distances to do so.

By coincidence, the United Nations Committee met on October 15, the UN- designated International Day of Rural Women. Members marked the occasion with a bring-and-share lunch in the ACWW meeting room, each providing an item of food typical of her country. They were joined by the Triennial Conference Committee, who also contributed to the feast, which made a colourful display and a novel, tasty meal for those of us fortunate enough to be in Central Office that day.

The UN Committee is shortly heading to the United Nations in New York to participate in the annual Commission on the Status of Women. This is excellent news and demonstrates the value that ACWW places on its UN l

It was not all work in London, however. Deputy President Anphia Grobler, Secretary Jo Almond, Treasurer Alison Burnett and I were privileged to enjoy an informal tour of the Palace of Westminster thanks to Lord Maxton, a family friend of Alison’s, who escorted us round the historic building.

The annual World Food Day (WFD) event in Margate, Kent, UK, with this year’s theme, United Against Hunger, was once again an outstanding success. ACWW was well represented by seven Board members plus dedicated individual members from East and West Kent, Surrey and London.

Congratulations and many thanks go to Ethel Anderson and Mary Hodgson, East Kent, who manned an attractive ACWW stand. They handed over a cheque for ACWW funds, raised at a Credit Crunch Lunch. Well done, East Kent Federation NFWI!

The programme included a Climate Change Conference, at which I represented ACWW on the panel of speakers. My thanks go to Tammy Stewart- Jones, organiser of WFD Margate, and herself an enthusiastic ACWW member, who made it possible for ACWW to have a high profile on the day.

I wish you all much success in 2011.

Yours in friendship

May Kidd MA JP ACWW World President

GREETINGS TO EVERYONE! I was delighted to be a guest at the annual meeting of NFWI (National Federation of Women’s Institutes) in Cardiff, South Wales. With over 4,000 delegates, the arena was packed for an excellent event, with positive reports, inspiring speakers and first class entertainment.

You will find a full report of the day on the NFWI website, www.nfwi.org.uk. I am grateful to NFWI chairman Ruth Bond and her team for their hospitality and wish them well in all their activities. ACWW greatly appreciates the continuing support of NFWI members.

My husband and I enjoyed a Scottish/Nepalese day in Aberdeen, Scotland, for the launch of Nepal Tourism Year 2011. We were invited due to my husband’s links with India and Nepal which he has visited on voluntary work. There is a strong Nepalese community in Aberdeen and the event was graced by the presence of the Nepalese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr Suresh Chandra Chalise.

ACWW has a member society in Gorkha, Nepal, and I lost no time in finding someone in the crowded hall who comes from that region and promised to pass on my best wishes to Gorkha Women’s Association.

Thanks to a friend who is an ACWW member as well as a Rotary International member, I spent a pleasant evening with Forfar Rotary Club, Scotland, most of whose members previously knew nothing of ACWW. Now they do!

Wherever you are, please do not forget to celebrate October 15, the International Day of Rural Women (IDRW), and October 16, World Food Day (WFD). Reports and photos of your activities are welcomed for inclusion in future magazines. As for me, I am participating in a major WFD event in Margate, Kent, England.

And finally:

‘Being nice should never be perceived as being weak. It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of courtesy, manners, grace, a woman’s ability to make everyone... feel at home and it should never be construed as weakness.’ – Benazir Bhutto.

Yours in friendship

May Kidd MA JP ACWW World President