NINE members of Soroptimist group in Kenya travelled to Winchester to visit their Wintonian counterparts as part of a friendship link between the two groups.
The group came from SI Kisumu, and after a year of planning, their visit finally happened on July 31.
The Friendship Link started when SI Winchester helped fund a nursery in Kisumu over 10 years ago.
Over the years the nursery has grown to include a primary and secondary school.
Julie Blackwell, a member of the Winchester and District Soroptimist International, said: "SI Winchester has helped with projects over time and more recently funded a new kitchen with more environmentally and safer ovens.
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"This means the children can have nutritional meals at school whereas they may not have the same at home. In this way, it helps the less well-off families in the community."
The school was even named the SI Winchester Smiling School in honour of the group.
The two groups met at the Soroptimist International Convention in Dublin in July 2023 before coming to Winchester.
Julie said the visit to Winchester went well, despite the rain, and they enjoyed a tour of the city, by Karen Dagwell.
They also enjoyed supper at a member’s home, a walking tour of Alresford and other visits organised by individual hosts, as well as a reception at Abbey House hosted by Mayor Angela Clear.
Cllr Clear: "I really enjoyed the ladies’ visit and hearing about Kenya and the Friendship Link between Kisumu and Winchester."
The ladies from Kisumu wore yellow outfits and glorious headdresses at the reception, before having dinner in the St Lawrence Parish room, with meals supplied by COOK.
Julie said: "The room was set up and the tables were dressed. As all members of the club were there, there was a total of 30 for the meal.
"It was a great success, one of the Kisumu ladies said, ‘Winchester was the highlight of the whole trip. Even though I enjoyed the Convention, Winchester was the best’.
"During the meal members of both Kisumu and Winchester introduced themselves and everyone was thanked for the visit and gifts were exchanged. The group left the next morning on August 2 for various destinations in the UK."
To find out more about Soroptimists email winchestersoroptimists@gmail.com
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