Soroptimist International Bangkok
October Luncheon Meeting
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
Expat Life in Thailand had the pleasure of joining the Soroptimist International Bangkok (SIB) for their well attended October luncheon meeting.
Soroptimist International is a global movement working to transform the lives of women and girls. SIB was founded in 1977 and has 31 members from many different nationalities. The power of Soroptimism is its membership who together empower women and girls in all aspects of their lives.
It was a busy meeting with introductions of new members and two guest speakers. Christiane, SIB President updated members and their guests with the impressive and diverse range of ongoing projects and fundraising activities.
The speakers, both prominent leaders in their chosen fields, were engaging and interesting orators.
Dr Meera Khorana MBBS, Assistant Professor Pediatrics Neonatal Unit at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health Bangkok spoke on the topic of ‘commitment to care, helping sick and vulnerable children’. Through her heart warming presentation, we gained a valuable insight into the highs and lows of working with premature babies. We learnt the importance of kangaroo care (skin to skin contact) and of the development of Thailand’s mothers’ milk banks.
Dr Meera told us the longest stay in the Neonatal Unit was one year. It was her dream to see all premature babies in her care graduate, but sadly premature birth is the highest cause of infant mortality in Thailand.
It was beautiful to see photos of the reunion graduates now grown up, who were once so frail.
Dr Oranee Tangphao – Daniels has over thirty years experience of clinical research and drug development in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Hers was an uplifting account encouraging everyone present to follow their dreams. She recounted her personal journey to become a Doctor and Chief Medical Officer. Her dream was achieved with the support and kindness of others, through out her life.
Dr Oranee offered a reminder that together as professional women we are stronger than each on their own. She discussed the importance of the collective wisdom of the Soroptimists and the value of encouragement and mentoring support to women across the globe.
This was a perfect introduction to updates regarding the work of the Soroptimist International Bangkok. This included domestic projects in Thailand such as a nurse scholarship program which supports 29 nurses for 4 years in Chiang Rai and a presentation of an LED phototherapy lamp for the Prenatal Care department at Prachanukrho Hospital.
Further afield we were informed of a sewing machine project in a refugee camp in Democratic Republic of the Congo and a friendship link with the Sofia-Bulgaria Soroptimists who received Thailand Soroptimist’s face masks to support the Stay Safe campaign.
At a time when the world is working on recovering from a crippling pandemic SIB can be rightly proud of their actions creating opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls and thus helping heal the world.
More information can be found at www.sibangkok.org
The next meeting is on November 11th 2020 from 11.30am. Further details from Christiane at [email protected]
