When the Soroptimist International Quadrennial project 'Limbs for Life' began in 1999, no one could have foreseen the dreadful events of September 11, 2001. Even more relevant was the fact that Afghanistan was one of the three areas designated for help.
Working with the International Red Cross, SI had pledged to raise £500,000 and up to September 30, the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland had sent £103,000 to 'Limbs for Life'. With monies also from the American, European and South West Pacific Federations, the project target has already been passed with one more year to run.
The theme chosen by Tenby president Mrs. Pam Maggs for her year was 'What Price a Limb?' and prior to Christmas two fund-raising events were held. The first, a coffee morning at the Cambrian Hotel, Saundersfoot, and the second, a lunch at the Village Hall, New Hedges, catered for by club members.
At the latter, two speakers had been invited, Mrs. Ann Garvie, Finance and International Federation Project liaison officer, and Mr. Stephen Thomas, a director at the Welsh Centre for International Affairs. With the aid of slides and a film, Mrs. Garvie did not spare her audience the horror and suffering caused to the victims of land mines and the shocking statistics that someone somewhere in the world is killed very 20 minutes by one. A mine costs $30 to make and $300 to clear. At present, clearance is taking place in 70 countries and unfortunately, there are still 15 countries producing them.
Up to the end of September, 2001, SI have helped to supply 4,600 limbs, 10,600 pairs of crutches and 865 wheelchairs to Afghanistan. They have also supplied Angola and Georgia with similar aids. Many of the limbs are made in Switzerland, but the International Red Cross have teams training local people to make, fit and repair limbs.
This not only helps victims, but also provides much needed work locally. An adult needs a new limb every three to five years, depending on its use; children as they are growing need new ones every six months.
Mr. Thomas reiterated many of Mrs. Garvie's comments and congratulated both the SI international response to the 'Limbs for Life' project and the work that Tenby and District are doing. He was delighted that the club was bringing the devastating effect of landmines to the attention of the general public. In addition to landmines, he pointed out that cluster bombs, anti personnel mines and anti tank mines had equally cataclysmic results upon the population and environment of the area. He wished the club every success in their effort to help.
Both speakers were warmly thanked and presented with gifts.
President Pam then reminded everyone that the next fund-raising event was the 'Festival of Puddings' to be held at the Fourcroft Hotel on January 26. Friends are more than welcome and tickets are still available from Tenby 842410 or 811192.
She concluded by thanking her fellow members present for all their hard work in making the luncheon so successful.