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As part of SI Centenary celebrations, (re)discover every month a project from the last ten years, carried out by SIE Unions and clubs.

In early October 2010, an industrial reservoir in Hungary collapsed, causing toxic red sludge to spill over an area covering a number of villages. 10 people died in this disaster – one of them was just a baby. Thousands of people lost their homes with no hope of returning, and hundreds of children, women and men were taken to hospital. The environmental damage caused by this incident will be long lasting.

 

SI Budapest took immediate action by visiting the devastated two towns and meeting with the respective mayors to assess the local needs for a project. Ultimately, the Club decided to collaborate with the village authorities, Rotary Club Veszprem and Rotary Austria to establish a revitalizing institution in the village of Devescer: a Music School and Cultural Centre. The renovation of the building was completed by the end of September 2011. The Music School and Cultural Centre gave 70 children the opportunity to obtain musical education and participate in other cultural activities. The Centre also decided to employ new teachers which in turn created job opportunities for women.

 

With the donations of Soroptimists from around the world, three music classrooms were created where a number of activities are planned, such as events for children and health prevention workshops for parents. The families of victims were present at the inauguration event. SI Budapest is extremely grateful for the solidarity that Soroptimists have shown during this difficult time.

Author

By Bintou Koïta

for SIE Programme Team 2019-2021