Two members of the Mary Riley Women's Institute (W.I.) have travelled to England to take part in a worldwide Associated Country Women of the World conference.
Carol Brown and her sister Elaine Kaiser were two of 600 women to attend the conference at Warwick University near Coventry.
The conference saw delegates report on the many community-support initiatives being undertaken in countries around the world.
Projects being funded by Canadian W.I. branches include some in India and Africa, she said.
“We heard from different countries as to what kind of projects the women are helping with,” said Brown. “Our project right now is helping women in India. One group is making pickles in a pickle factory and another is canning fish. And there was a water well that we were doing.”
Brown recalled meeting with one woman in particular.
“I met a women from Papua New Guinea, one of 30 we sponsored to come to the pre-conference workshop to learn marketing, management skills to take back to teach others.
“She feeds her two boys jam for breakfast and same for school lunch; fish and rice usually for supper. They each have two white shirts for school so she washes them each evening. She also works as secretary.”
The conference also saw resolutions passed that will go to the United Nations.
“The W.I. continues to be strong around the world and that is very encouraging,” she said.
Meanwhile, branch members have been keeping busy supporting individuals and groups in the region this fall.
“We work hard to help others, donating eggs, produce, canned goods, gift items, and I hauled a large bag of dog food to the local food bank,” she said.
“We will donate quilts, pillowcases, toiletries, etc., to the local women's shelter, Red Deer, and the local pregnancy centre.”
Brown, who joined W.I. in 1981, made a report to the Mary Riley W.I. branch on her return from the conference.
The Mary Riley W.I. branch, based in Eagle Hill, will be celebrating its 100th year in 2017.
Mary Riley was the original president of the branch.
"We heard from different countries as to what kind of projects the women are helping with."Carol BrownW.I. member
