JCI Zugbuana launches 4 major projects for women empowerment, dev't

CEBU CITY—The Junior Chamber of International Philippines-Zugbuana launched four major projects “March for Women” in celebration and observance of International Women’s Day on March 8 at the Mercedez Benz showroom, Nivel Hills, Cebu City and one with all women globally to initiate projects that support women’s empowerment, health and wellbeing.

Aileen Tecson, director, JCI Zugbuana said that these four major projects namely; Locks of Love, CAN for Hope, EmpowHer and Women for Women Fashion Show have continuously benefitted women through its various events and activities that concerns women’s health, empowerment, development and livelihood.

“These projects not only celebrate the contribution of remarkable women here but also provide opportunities to uplift women's lives,” Tecson said during the “March for Women” project launch event at Mercedez Benz showroom.

Locks of Love.  This is one of JCI Zugbuana’s legacy projects that involves hair donation drive for cancer patients in need of wigs and this is an all-year-round activity with haircut for free of at least 12-inch long hair in collaboration with David Salon since 2016.  

“Locks of Love” project chair Kimberly Uy bared that JCI Zugbuana received over 98 hair donations in 2022 and so far, 10 wigs have been donated to cancer patients in Cebu.  This year, the project continues its legacy of spreading love, hope, awareness and empowerment “one strand at a time”.

A Can for Hope. This is a donation drive that runs for six months where all proceeds go to the JCI Zugbuana beneficiaries such as Glory Reborn, Zugs Cancer Initiatives and Zugbuana Cares projects. 

A can for Hope project chair, Cathryn Louise Macias revealed that in 2022, it raised some P30K with the 83 cans distributed in stores and in JCI friends’ offices including shipping lines, others.  Macias said, they hope to raise more than P100K this year with 100 cans being distributed in stores from March to October 2023.

Macias bared the amount raised within the six-month campaign is to help women who need special medical treatments and promote maternal care.  Some amounts like, 19 cents are for Antenatal care; 22 cents are for social work program; 20 cents for healthcare workers, nurses and they like; 24 cents for postpartum care; 15 cents for medicines and others. 

EmpowHer Mabolo. This is a Livelihood Skills Training Program for the women and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) youth in Barangay Mabolo to hone their skills for livelihood and ensuring income source for the family. 

Program chair, Jana Marie Pages with members of JCI Zugbuana and Barangay Mabolo councilor Jackson Tudtud signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) to undertake livelihood skills training program such as reflexology, candle and or perfume making for the SK. 

“We are targeting 200 women and youth ages 13 up for this year’s training program and we will be having our Women’s Month culminating activity with a livelihood event in Barangay Mabolo on March 26. See you there,” Pages added.

Women for Women.  This is a fashion show for a cause, it’s 2^nd year run spearheaded by the JCI Zugbuana in collaboration with Global Star Motors Corporation | Mercedes Benz Cebu and Clothes for Life. 

The event aims to raise funds for the chosen beneficiaries: C.U.R.E. Foundation, a non-profit organization that rescues and shelters women and children who have been exploited, and JCI Zugbuana's future community development projects.

Project chair, Grace Noelle Te said that the fashion show for a cause exhibits novelty creation from renowned Cebuano designers such as Philip Tampus, Rei Escario, la Coca, and Abello Couture on March 31, at the Mercedez Benz showroom.

Their works of art will be worn by their muses - empowered Cebuanas who have made a high impact in the society and have inspiring stories to share, Te added.

The JCI Zugbuana is a non-profit international non-government organization and an all-female leadership training organization that is dedicated to the development of business and civic leaders for the last 32 years. (Photos: MBCNewman)