I would say this corner feels honored to have a small but significant chat days before Undas 2023 with Soroptimist International Lipa City chapter president Ms. Elli Hiwatig, a famous design-and-build contractor in this part of Batangas.
According to Ms Elli, who still has almost one year of her term as head of Soroptimist International of Lipa (SIL), her group is committed and stands as a beacon of empowerment and progress for women in the local community.
Their recent initiatives and partnerships exemplify their unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of women and girls.
Let's delve into the remarkable work being done by this organization that is changing lives and making a difference.
Live your dream
Elli told us that one of SIL's most inspiring endeavors is the "Live Your Dream" (LYD) initiative. This program aims to support young, self-reliant female college students, and it has already made a significant impact in the community. The majority of beneficiaries are students from Batangas State University, who are striving to make a better future for themselves.
The LYD initiative recently recognized Biverly Cruzata, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student, as the Club Level winner. Biverly's consistent honor student status and her determination to support herself through tutoring made her a standout candidate for this prestigious award.
The success of the LYD initiative is attributed to the tireless efforts of LYD Chairs Dr. Chona Chavez and Dra. Beth Macalinao, along with the valuable guidance provided by CP Bernardine Go, Ms. Elli says.
The program also received generous support from Gen Dance Moves and GV 99.9 FM, who partnered in the search for LYD scholar applicants, showcasing the power of collaboration in achieving meaningful goals.
MOA with DICT
Aside from this, SIL entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) - Region IVA-Batangas. This partnership, signed on October 18, 2023, represents a pivotal moment in SIL's collaboration with DICT, with a focus on providing Education Technology and Digital Literacy training to underprivileged women and girls in the local community.
The MOA seeks to enhance literacy in areas such as E-commerce, Basic Computer Skills, and Digital Marketing while raising awareness about cybersecurity concerns affecting young women and girls. SIL's 'ED TECH by SIL,' an 'Access To Education' Project, aligns perfectly with this collaboration.
Furthermore, SIL, in partnership with DICT, will offer FREE printing services to the community, making essential printing services accessible and efficient for all. This office is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, conveniently located at DICT Batangas Provincial Office Tech4ED Center, B. Morada Avenue, Brgy. 1, Lipa City.
The "Weave of Hope" Project
SIL's dedication to empowering women goes beyond education and technology. They have embarked on the "Weave of Hope Project," a collaboration with the BJMP Lipa Female Dorm. This project focuses on skills enhancement training and livelihood sustainability through recyclable weave bag production, offering hope and support to female Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) and assisting BJMP women officers in their mission to develop opportunities for incarcerated individuals.
The project seamlessly fits into SIL's Livelihood and Access to Education (ATE) programs, all designed to empower underserved women and girls in the community. SIL has initiated this project with a seminar titled "Product Development 101" for BJMP Female Officers and PDL Heads-Livelihood on October 18, 2023. This marks the beginning of a skills development initiative that promises to improve lives and offer hope for a better future.
A Commitment to Empowerment
Ms. Elli, who is a businesswoman engaged in “design and build,” remains steadfast in her mission to empower women and promote education and digital literacy in the local community. Their initiatives and collaborations continue to pave the way for a brighter future for the women and girls they serve.
Indeed, SIL is not just an organization. It is a driving force for positive change, proving that when women come together to support one another and forge partnerships, incredible things can happen.
The women of Lipa City are indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate advocate in their corner.
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