INTRODUCTION:
“It is the tasks connected with the home that are the fundamental tasks of humanity….If
the mother does not make her contribution, there will either be no next generation, or a next generation that is worse
than none at all."
-
Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States.
"Study after study has shown that there is no effective development strategy in which
women do not play a central role. When women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately: families are healthier
and better fed; their income, savings and reinvestment go up. And what is true of families is also true of communities and,
in the long run, of whole countries."
-
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, March 8, 2003.
BRIEF HISTORY OF
SMI
The idea of Sweet Mother International is dedicated
to Madam Salomey Nze, 1904 - 1986.
Madam Salomey Nze despite her predicament as
a young widow with over six teenage children single handedly founded a home where she accommodated and fed women who were
widows like herself, aged women, old-women-without-children, destitute women and women with mental illness. She was also
a counselor to newly married couples and young women. She acted as an arbiter in times of dispute between families, assisting
to restore peace, love and affection in homes. She was so devoted in her fellowship with God and humanity that
she was regarded as a " God sent Angel " to her community. She died in 1986.
In the year 2000, this vision was regenerated
by the idea of Sweet Mother International which was conceived by John Nze-Bertram the grandchild of Madam Salomey Nze as a
result of the impact she made in his life about service to humanity before she passed-on to Glory.
Sweet
Mother International is a fast expanding organization with over 10 chapters in various countries. Some Chapters
of SMI are fully registered and others are in various stages of official status registration under the “ACT”
as a charity, non-profit organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the countries where SMI have local
branches. SMI participates in the United Nations Volunteer Programs in order to actualize the Millennium Development
Goals (MDG).
SMI has gained international prominence and
recognition. SMI’s activities have been appraised by various notable personalities worldwide. Over 1 million emails
have been received by SMI from individuals and organizations across the world seeking volunteer positions or collaborations.
SMI convened a three months international e-conference
coordinated from Nigeria in 2003 attended
by 200 participants from over 14 countries.
Mrs. Nze Marita of SMI-Nigeria and Julie
Clayton of SMI-Australia through their activities under the Sweet Mother International initiatives were awarded
the "International Woman Of Peace Award" 2004 & 2005 consecutively by " Women Peace Foundation" an organization based
in the United States of America. This award
is a keenly contested award with nominees drawn from over 100 countries around the world. Annually, only very few women among
hundreds of nominees succeed to the final stage of the Award. We are honored to have two SMI members’ outstanding contribution
to humanity recognized as a world-class achievement through this award. More information about Women's Peacepower Foundation
and the Award can be viewed on their official website: http://www.womenspeacepower.org/PastAwardWinners.html
SMI's International Social Exchange Program
has been voted as an outstanding premier project that will engineer enduring friendship. Julie Anne Clayton the coordinator
of Sweet Mother International in Australia was honored in Nigeria on the 20th of November, 2004 during her visit to
the country. Her visit impacted positively to the Nigerian women who received some special soaps made by the SMI members in
Australia and in return, she went back to her country with lots of souvenirs
from Nigeria: Nigerian Cloths, artifacts
and also her knowledge on Nigerian cosines. Her visit also led to a swift rise in volunteers by women in Australia to visit Nigeria
for interchange programs.
In November 2005, Sony Madhukar of SMI-India
visited SMI-Australia. He was well received and able to experience the unique hospitality of SMI members.
You too can be a part
of the SMI family by volunteering to be a coordinator of SMI's local branch in your country or community. You can participate
in SMI's International Social Exchange Programs. You can donate to empower women who are in difficulties. You may even wish
to send in articles to be published on this website or to contribute in whichever capacity you are able. SMI sincerely appreciate
all efforts you put-in to the success of this mission. Collectively, we can make a positive difference in the world. Once
again, we wish to WELCOME you to the SMI family.
Contact references:
E-mail: sweetmotherinternational@yahoo.com
SMI AUSTRALIA:
Coordinator: Julie Anne Nze-Bertram
Contact Address: 9, Northside
Court Evanston Gardens,
5116 South Australia
SMI INDIA:
Coordinator: Sony Madhukar
Contact Address: 34-344, Madhavaram Nagar Colony,
Near Allwyn Colony, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, 500 072, South India.
SMI PAKISTAN
Coordinator: Silas Newton
Contact Address: P-912/29, Street # 5, Warispura,
Faisalabad, Pakistan
All units of SMI in various countries are mobilizing
towards making the world a better place .
