The Inner Wheel continues to foster friendship and bridge communities worldwide. In the Philippines, one of its projects is a mobile classroom that promotes 'eLearning' for less fortunate children.

 MANILA, Philippines – Giving women an avenue for self-expression has been the long time creed of the International Inner Wheel, a “spouse” organization of the world renowned Rotary Club. On January 10, 1924, Margarette Golding established a club composed of wives of the Rotary Club’s members. The aims are to foster friendship and camaraderie among ladies and to promote the ideals of service and international understanding.

Golding’s efforts would be recognized around the 1930s, when Inner Wheel clubs started popping around in areas such as New Zealand, Norway, Great Britain and Ireland, among others.

Today, the Inner Wheel has global links in different countries and continents, the Philippines included. “We bridge the communities and the world by promoting close ties with the [Rotary Club], where the Inner Wheel originated, [just like] from the ribs of Adam given to Eve,” says Philippine club district 381 chair Teresita Tumangan. Through the years, says Tumangan, the Inner Wheel has helped women go out of their comfort zones and help them be more assertive women by promoting self-development.

“I personally observed that before, most wives would be mostly dependent on their husbands and would just be ladies of their households,” shares Tumangan. “So, we developed the Inner Wheel here in the country so that women can have their own standing even after their productive days. This is a formal organization where Filipinas can go and sit together and do their own projects to enhance their own welfare as well as to help others too.”

In order to remain relevant, Tumangan says that she and her fellow Inner Wheel club members continue to engage in bevy of activities, including projects that help the less fortunate Filipino communities through education and livelihood programs.

“We did some medical missions to address the illnesses that commonly affect women such as bone density problems, raising awareness on breast cancer, tests for diabetes, among others,” Tumangan says.

“We have conducted some livelihood programs toward giving women the capability to be self-sufficing,” Tumangan adds. “These often include training sessions for activities such as hairdressing and massage. We believe that women who finished these short courses can always find jobs. We also conducted lessons on candle- and soap-making… everything we do is always aimed toward helping communities here in the Philippines.”

One notable feat for them, according to Tumangan, is the mobile van classroom that promotes “eLearning” for children. In data provided by the Inner Wheel: “The van is operating daily for [five to six] days per week, moving from Baseco area in Manila to Pasay City barangays every [two] weeks.”

By employing the help of teachers and Inner Wheel members, the educational program champions computer literacy and lets children “listen and watch nursery modules on TV teaching numbers, objects, colors, sizes, and shapes. There is also a component of developing the musical talents of the children, an hour of teaching singing and dancing.”

Apart from alleviating poverty, participating in community activities helps women be more pro-active. On a lighter note, Tumangan says that it is still about enjoying the company of women through friendship. The Philippine clubs of the Inner Wheel have staged social events such as fashion shows and management seminars to guide its members in an entertaining manner. In her turf alone, Tumangan says that they sometimes go for a game of bowling or stage dancing contests. There is a general warm reception to these activities. “Those are ways of making women feel more alive, especially for our older members.”

Tumangan says that to empower women more, joining an organization is just the first step. “You join and you should be active, because if you don’t participate at all, you don’t gain anything. Even after your productive phase as a woman, you can still do something for yourself.”