Summer Edition 2024
From Patricia Rios, President
It is with great pleasure that we write again our HWASA Newsletter. Our organization is growing by the day and we have the love and support of over 100 financial members and close to 2000 faithful facebook followers with numerous workers from various service providers and businesses also supportingus.Wethankyouall
Our main objectiveis tosupport and empower women from Hispanic backgrounds through the development of activities and projects. For us making informed decisions about our lives and our future is paramount and this is why we spend a considerable amount of time organising information sessions with many professionals, particularly,intheareasof
employment, health (including wellbeing, mental, physical and sexual health), cyber security, disability support,legal matters, parenting in Australia and information and settlement orientationandreferrals.
We had a very successful 2023 with 18 grants from various sources and we were very busy implementing all those different projects, gaining the interest from newly arrived women and their families who would like to make Australia their beloved next new“home”.Somecallitoursecond opportunity in life to finally be able toreachourfullpotential.
Speaking of “home”, an issue that concerns us deeply is homelessness. The housing market has been stretched to the limit in SA in recent years and women and their families are feeling the pinch. They require referees, people to support them
looking for accommodation and helping them transporting furniture and the like. We will be working on providing some relief in this area in 2024.
In November we had our 3-Day Annual Retreat at Victor Harbour where health and how to live a healthy life with the right relationships, nutrition and exercises wasourprimaryfocus.
In November we also had our AGM and 10 women put their hand up to continuesupportingthisproject.
Onlytwoleftthecommitteeforwork reasons; we thank with all our heart Leticia Cubero, originally from Spain andBerthaGarridofromMexicowho did a terrific job whilst members of the Management Committee. THANKYOULeticiaandBertha. The10womenwhomakeupthe
Management Committee of HWASA in2024are:
AlexandraSegura
DalilaRosero
EstrellaAvila
JacquelineRiviere
JeniferJuarez
LilianaPardo
MargaretDenisePena
NildaSimmons
PatriciaRios
TatianaMartelo
We are sure that during this Christmas break, many of us have had a well-deserved rest and we are nowgettingreadytoface2024. We hope all you have an excellent year and many of your personal and professionalprojectsgetachieved.
Unidos Lograremos Group (United we will Achieve)
ByKarineRichard,PurpleOrange
Do you want a better life for people living with disability in your community? HWASA has joined forces with Purple Orange SKILL project to grow a peer network of people living with disability, their carersandsupporters.
Our monthly meetings and workshops are opportunities to make friends, have fun, learn and advocate for inclusion and better choices.Yes,thatisfantasticinitself, but we also top it up with delicious Hispanicdinners.
Meetings are conducted in Spanish, with participants of all ages from 8 different countries. Activities and topicsareinformedbyourmembers’ expressed needs, in an environment whereyouarewelcomeasfamily.
We are planning our 2024 meetings andwouldlovetohearfromyou.We hope to reach more people living with disability and families to share knowledge, talents, experiences and commongoals.
SKILL is able to organize accessible transport to our events if requested, and offers financial compensation to volunteer speakers and facilitators from the Hispanic communities. If you have an idea or suggestion for us, or just want to join us for that deliciousdinner,pleasebeintouch!
For more information in Spanish contact Patricia Rios 0412 046 792, JacquelineRiviere0407763240
The first monthly peer group meetingin2024willbeon Feb,Para Hills Community Hub, 22 Wilkinson Rd,ParaHills
Our Annual Retreat at Adare in Victor Harbour November 2023
byJacquelineRiviere,HWASA
We organised a weekend retreat for thewomeninNovember2023aswe havehadtheexperienceinrunninga similar event in the past - We have the organisation and coordination skills, leadership skills, timemanagement, communications skills written and orallanguages in English and Spanish. Feedback from the women who attended the camp was they enjoyed it as it was time for themselves, timeout without their children or partners. Women connected and made new friends and increased their knowledge in looking after their health, prevent diseases and increased their knowledge in wellbeing as well decrease isolation and improved theirmentalhealth.Theretreat took place at Victor Harbour targeting up to 50 women from all walks of lifeVenezuela, Peru, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, one from The Philippines
and another 100% Aussie! We all tookcareofeachother.
The women came from refugee, migrant, international student, skills migrantsfromallwalksoflifeaswell as single mothers, seniors, carers, and the employed and the unemployedcohorts.
We invited our own community Doctors and others from Allied Health Professionals as well as performers and knowledgeable professional;
Dr Gonzalo Tapia Rico, specialising in Cancer Therapy
Jacqueline Riviere, Multicultural Project Officer, Wellbeing SA
Jenifer Juarez, Psychologist from Argentina
Marcela Mendoza, Midwife at the LMH, SA
Paola Gomez , Yoga Instructor with her own business – Mental Wellbeing Club Bookings Mob +61 450 383 163
Lucy Santisteban, Pelvic Therapist, with her own business called Dynamic Recovery Remedial Therapy Bookings Mob +61 479 101 435
Angelica Contreras, Public Health in Colombia
Nelcy Porras, Performer, Children’s Entertainer and Singer Bookings +61 499 271 211
Margaret Pena, Honours in Public Health in Australia.
We shared information flyers and attended radio interviews to promote the retreat on community radio programs regarding the camp such as the Spanish radio Program and Latin American, La Voz de la Mujer HWASA on radio 5EBI FM, we also went to PBA Community Radio in Salisbury where Spanish programs are on air on weekly basis - Siempre
Lunes, Sin Fronteras, Salvadorean Community radio. We sent out flyers, through emails and social media, to all our contacts, media channels and community organisations we work in collaboration with e.g., The Chilean Club of Adelaide, Spanish Speaking Inspirations Group from the City of Playford and The Over 50’s Art Group based at and supported by MCCSA, La Familia Hispana Intergenerational Playgroup from Marion and Para Hills. We also promoted our retreat with bilingual workers in NGOs, government services and our networks. Invitationstoattendwentouttoour HWASA financial membership of over 100 members and over 1800 facebookfollowers.
We organised information sessions on Bowel, Cervical, Contraception, Safer Sex, STIs, Pelvic Exercise and Incontinence as well as Bilingual Health Educator Aza from Red Cross SAcameto presenta session on Art Therapy. We also did quizzes as part ofthepresentationsandparticipants received small gifts, so it was interactive and fun. We organised Bingo games and gave prizes to participants. After the information sessions participants had yoga exercisesand walks to the beach. In the evening we organised a party and namedit“Hollywood Stars for a Night” Latina Style of course! We danced the night away and dressed up like our favourite movies star. It wasaBlastofaParty!
We had a team of 5 HWASA members Monica, Harlly, Jackie, Gabriela, Patrocinia who prepared and cooked delicious meals during the retreat, attendees were very gratefulforbeingwellnourishedand takencareofduringthe3days ��
We had a subcommittee who coordinated this successful retreat; Patricia, Estrellita, Angelica, Jenifer, Nilda, Jacqueline, Tiffany and of course supported by our HWASA Management Committee members. Everyone ensuring that this was goingtobeagreatevent!
This retreat was supported by Wellbeing SA, Shine SA , Radio Programsinourcommunity,MCCSA, Red Cross and Adare Retreat at VictorHarbour
We would like to thank all our HWASA members who participated and attended the retreat and look forward to another successful, fun retreatin2024!
Latin Arts Community Support Network – Latin Arts Festival
ByPatriciaRiosOne of its kind and organised with many community groups, individual artists, art aficionados, and art lovers.
Following numerous organising meetings with 17 artists and artist enthusiasts, it took place on 8 October 2023. It was the day the Latino Community took over Victoria Square!!!Thereweredancinggroups
and singers from Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia. There were arts and crafts stalls, delicious food, and over 2500 people throughout that afternoon. Our DJ was none other than Alex B, singers from all South America came and shared well known songs from Chile, Colombia, Venezuela. There were Clowns and children’s entertainment.
Itwasdefinitelyadaytoremember!
We thank The Department of Premier and Cabinet and funding obtained under the Celebrate Together Grants, Minister Zoe Bettison MP who took her time to comeavisittheFestivalinaction.
LACS Network looks forward to organising a similar community festival again in 2024 where Latin arts- cultural dances, performers, music and food can be showcased shared,acknowledgedandadmired.
HWASA will continue to support this group.
Volunteer Program
ByEstrellaAvilaHWASA was very happy to have received funding for volunteers for themtoundertakefirstaidtraining.
20 participants took the time to undertake the training. We thank volunteers for their time and commitment and this is only a small token of appreciation for the valuableworktheydo.
The Volunteers came directly from the groups we manage: La Familia Hispana, Information and Orientation Program and Unidos Lograremos Disability Peer Support Group.
Lets Talk About Jobs Employment Program
ByMargaretPenaSessions are held monthly on the third Saturday of every month starting on 17 February 2024 from 1.30pm – 3.30pmattheMCCSA,113 GilbertSt,Adelaide5000.
Every month a guest speaker shares his/her experience with a group of about 20 participants. It is a great way to network, share information and develop friendships in a safe environment.
COST: GOLDCOINDONATION
Latin American Radio Pogram
Zona Latina La Voz de la Mujer
5EBI 103.1 FM
ByPatriciaRiosThere is a roster developed for this program as it is shared between other 4 wonderful Spanish speaking groups. HWASA is one of those groups involved in this project. We go on air every second Friday of the month. Having said that,we strongly recommend you tunein tolistenthe Fridays shows every week from 9pm – 10pmeveryweek.
La Voz de la Mujer Radio Show (A woman’sVoice) is organised by Lucy Santisteban. She brings information, music, guest speakers and it is a great way to keep in touch with
what’s happening in our communities.
e-Safety Project with MCCSA
byDanielTorresHWASA is undertaking an informationandeducationprojectto make community members aware of thedangers,risksandanomaliesthat may occur while you are on line. Somearerelated to trickpeopleand abusing them for money or extortion. This project has opened oureyesintheareaofcyberbullying and other abuses that people may endure while on line. What to do? Where to go? What are my rights in this context? How can I make them stophurtingme?
Our next session will be held on 17 Jan at MYSA with Young people. Presentations will be done by an officer from SAPOL and a lawyer from Legal Servicers Commission. Lunchwillbefree.Don’tmissit.
This project is funded through MCCSA.Formoreinformationplease contact Daniel 0449 593 798 or Patricia0412046792
La Familia Hispana Spanish Speaking Intergenerational Group
ByPatriciaRiosandNelcyPorras
La Familia Hispana – Marion and Para Hills will continue their twice a month meetings as per our flyer enclosed. Thanks to City of Salisbury and Marion Chrurch of Christ for usingtheirvenues.
We participated in the Multicultural Festival SA on the 12 November organised by the Government of SA Our children, mums and grandmas danced to the tune of Salsa rhythms Wehasablast!
CONNECTIONS AND REFLEXIONS
As our HWASA member, you are invited to share an article with us. We are calling it ‘Connections and Reflexions’ Just send it to: hwasa.adelaide@gmail.com and we would love to share it in our HWASA newsletter. It may be a cultural poem, recipe of a cultural dish, or a point of view you feel strongly about.
COVID-19 and other infectious disease with global public health concerns
.
ByDrTihuiCervantesAtthispointintimeinthepandemic, we all notice how people are exhausted with looking after themselves, masks, washing hands and social distance, along with the flu, monkeypox and COVID-19. Additionally, we are going through a fluepidemicthisyear(2023),thereis no question about that, and I hope
everyone gets their flu shot early. We need to take extreme precautions now to make the community aware, to get education and reliable updates about monkeypox, flu and COVID-19, and we all need to be reminded of excellent hygiene practices since there are still outbreaks in vulnerable groups including nursing homes. Zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted to humans from animals) have been recently around more often. We need to understand what our interaction with animals means, since this will occasionally cause infections to us. Influenza, Japanese Encephalitis, COVID-19 or Rabies are classic zoonotic diseases. In addition, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus originated in central Africa (Congo Basin) and firstly identified in a 9-year-old boy in 1970, in a region where smallpox had been eliminated in 1968 after having killed 56 million people. Vaccination against smallpox is demonstrated to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. Moreover, an antiviral agent developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox. Anyone developing symptoms, particularly if they travelled overseas, must seek medical care, wear a mask and
isolate away from others. The symptoms of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox, although it is clinicallylesssevere,botharecaused by poxviruses. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, back pain, muscle pain, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and a rash in the mouth, face and extremities, including palms and soles, genitalia and eye consisting of red spots, vesicles, pustules and crusts that will fall off. With the global eradication of smallpox in 1980 and subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important poxvirus disease of global public health importance as it not only affects countries in Africa, but around the world. It is spreading rapidly, and we need to keep an eye on it. Severe cases can occur with a fatality prevalence around 3-6%. Even though monkeypox is not in a pandemic or in an epidemic stage, it is in outbreak stage, and it is when we need to act. Complications of monkeypox can include secondary infections, bronchopneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis, and infection of the cornea with ensuing loss of vision. A significant COVID-19 outbreak is expected in July, and historical evidence demonstrates that our best strategy is hygiene measures and vaccination. Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been recently
approved as a booster jab. Getting our booster is the best way to protect ourselves and our families from severe disease, hospitalisation anddeath.
IMPORTANT LAST NOTE: For registration of any of our events, please contact usat: Via EventBrite hwasa.adelaide@gmail.com or Messenger via phone oras indicated by the eventcoordinators.
HWAofSAfind usandlike us!
How to becomea HWASA member? Thereare3steps
Step 1 Get in contact with us at hwasa.adelaide@gmail.com and request a Membership Form, fill it out andsenditbacktous.
Step 2 Your request will be submitted to the next monthly meeting of the Management Committee for approval. In the meantime you will get a notification from HWASA stating that wereceivedyourapplication. Step 3 Upon approval, you will be sent details on how to pay the annual fee of $20 and be given a membership card withamembershipnumber.
