b'SI of Great Britain & Ireland >>>Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) has 8,000 Members in 350 Clubs in 28 countries who work at local, national and international level to Educate, Empower and Enable opportunities for women and girls. Meru Womens Garden Project 2016 - 2019 >>>A transformative project collaboration between Child.org, Community Initiative for Rural Development (CIFORD) and SIGBI is taking place in Meru County, Kenya, providing solutions to poverty, exclusion and discrimination, strengthening communities to support women and girls in transforming their own lives and the lives of others. In the Meru District, Tigania East, 90% of the population live in rural areas, with HIV/AIDs prevalent in the region. Challenging perceptions and empowering women and girls to stand up for their rights, the Project is managed by CIFORD, led by Margaret Ikiara, a member of SI Meru, overseen by Child.org, and includes a variety of awareness and vocational educational programmes. Through a process of cascade learning and mentoring, the Meru Womens Garden Project is increasing food production, through training in organic agriculture, and by providing the tools and resources required, women can become self-sufficient, reducing poverty and improving health and wellbeing. Creating breakfast clubs and sustainable food gardens, girls attendance and achievement in secondary school is increased, and through workshops and mentoring, women and girls are informed on many relevant social issues, such as early marriage, HIV/AIDS, drugs and substance abuse and Female Genital Mutilation.Meru Garden Project13'