SOROPTIMIST International Club of Penang (SIP) aims to raise more than RM200,000 to fulfil its commitments to various projects.
SIP president Suraya Ibrahim said the upcoming fundraising dinner and dance would be held on Sept 6 at the St Giles Wembley Penang hotel.
“The event aims to raise funds to support ongoing projects in education, environment and community empowerment.
“The programmes are education fund scholarships, science, technology, English and mathematics awareness, health and hygiene, environment and community empowerment,” Suraya said.
SIP’s latest environmental project, in collaboration with Universiti Malaya, is the rehabilitation of an abandoned shrimp pond in Kuala Muda, Kedah.
The plan is to transform it into a sustainable seaweed farm.
“Shrimp farming is known for its detrimental environmental effects that leave many areas ecologically fragile.
“By repurposing these abandoned ponds into seaweed farms, we promote environmentally friendly and economically viable alternatives.
“Seaweed farming not only helps in carbon sequestration and marine ecosystem restoration but also assists in healing the environment.
“In addition, this helps create a sustainable source of income and livelihood for the local communities in the affected areas,” she added.
SIP is a component of Soroptimist International, a global organisation established in 124 countries which advocates for girls and women facing challenging circumstances.
It has 3,000 clubs and 62,000 members worldwide, and is represented at the United Nations.
