University Women’s Club North York: May 29, 2019, 11 members of UWCNY and one husband “Walked a Mile in Her Shoes” for the White Ribbon Campaign’s Toronto walk to end gender based violence and they raised over $9600.00 to support this organization which works to end violence towards women through education of men and boys.

CFUW Etobicoke: For our Centennial Project, CFUW Etobicoke took up the challenge from CFUW Perth and District to continue raising awareness of the benefits of the Little Sun solar lamp in the struggle of migrant women and girls living in Ethiopia.

The Little Sun solar lamp provides 4 hours of bright light and up to 50 hours of dim light with 5 hours of charge from sunlight. The lamp will last up to 5 years with daily use. Light makes daily activities easier, confidence and self-worth are increased. The women and girls experience safety, better health, improved education and economic savings. https://www.cfuwetobicoke.ca/program-and-upcoming-events/100th-anniversary-projects/

Our membership quickly supported the project! With an article in the local Etobicoke Guardian newspaper, the larger community responded. Donations have been received from individuals, coffee clubs, the workplace lunch room, and businesses. A Donation Bottle, made from a recycled water bottle, became a great tool for members to collect donations from family, friends, and others. A surprise came from a Girl’s Group, made up of Grade 9 and 10 students, who committed themselves to raise funds for Little Sun. The girls sold chocolate and had a Samosa & Pop Day in the school’s cafeteria. Three public awareness days were held at Cloverdale Mall’s Community Kiosk. This was successful in telling people about CFUW Etobicoke and Little Sun Centennial Project.

The Little Sun story is passed from one person to another. The importance of having light is easily understood and many people have responded from their pocket books.

This year Perth and District has contributed their club’ s budget for international aid to our project. They have created a special posting on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.corn/pg/CFUWPerthON/posts/?ref=page_internal

The Little Sun Centennial Project began with a goal of $5000 .00. To the project’s good fortune, $6500.00 has been collected and the total may even reach $7000.00 when the high school Girl’ s Group project ends June. 7/19. The official end date is June 10, 2019. A bank wire transfer to International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ethiopia will be competed shortly after the project end date.

We are very grateful and appreciative of every person who has supported our Little Sun Centennial Project with energy, time, and money. Approximately 650 Ethiopian women and girls will be excited and pleased when they receive their individual Little Sun solar lamps from IOM later this year. Steps towards a better life can be achieved with “LIGHT”. This project demonstrates the Power of Women working together across Continents.

Submitted by Mary Hilborn, Chair of Little Sun Committee, CFUW Etobicoke May 30, 2019