EDUCATION

[C ] Facilitate the understanding of the role and contribution of men and boys to achieve gender equality.

Overview:

1. What we did –Club Members Gina McGuire and Jan Veacock volunteer at the Mission for Seafarer’s shop and amenities at Pinkemba, Queensland, Australia. (One Club Member had previously visited the Mission to Seafarers at the Port in Husula Finland in 1999)
2. Why we did it - Many seafarers come from different cultures and countries around the world and experience long periods away from their homes and their families. Club Members feel that their participation in this project also contributes to promoting gender equity. Mission for Seafarer’s celebrates 150th anniversary this year and has continued to provide support and assistance to seafarers around the world. At present there are 230 ports worldwide where caring volunteers provide a range of practical and spiritual welfare services.  These include: local hospitality, pastoral care, visitation to hospitals if they are sick, contacting family members and advocating on their behalf on social justice issues that relate to non-payment of wages, stranded and abandoned crews and problems relating to safety and living conditions.
3. How we did it - Club Members assist on a monthly roster and work in the small shop and recreation amenities whenever a ship is in port.  Club members also donate copies of books and magazines for the library.  Articles include local women’s issues, fashion and recipes.   Many of the men take these magazines back home to their wives enabling them to learn about other countries, cultures, issues and topics of interest.
4. Results and recommendations – This is another good example of sharing our time and resources by working in partnership with the local Mission to Seafarers Group. SI Members can help promote awareness of the work of the Mission to Seafarers by: including the banner or button below on their SI websites, by contacting the local Mission to Seafarers organisation and volunteer and encouraging others to assist and by purchasing merchandise from the website.