This year was a special one for the Women’s International Club (WIC) Jakarta as the organization celebrated its Golden Anniversary of the WIC Annual Charity Bazaar, marking its 50th year.
To commemorate this special occasion, the WIC Annual Charity Bazaar this year was held on 15 and 16 November at the Jakarta Convention Center and was officially opened with keynote speeches by the organization’s National Patron, the wife of Vice President Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, as well as WIC President Pooja V. Assomull. The opening ceremony was attended by Ambassadors and their wives, other members of the diplomatic community, government and institution officials and sponsors.
Following its longstanding tradition, WIC endorsed the culture of an Indonesian region at the opening ceremony, and this year it was North Kalimantan’s turn – a beautiful dance named Ngaku Sakai was performed to welcome the distinguished guests.
WIC was established to make a contribution towards social improvement in Indonesia, to promote the cause of education and to advance the cultural development of women. The organization consistently develops its work programs and activities to raise funds for social causes, the charity bazaar only being one of them.
Under the theme of “Unity in Diversity” – a nod to Indonesia’s official national motto – the bazaar this year involved 57 participating embassy stalls and over 200 local business and food stalls. A couple of WIC stalls offered items that were donated or crafted by members, friends and sponsors, including the popular White Elephant stall, which is well known for selling second hand items. All the funds raised at the bazaar will be used for humanitarian aid projects organized by the Bazaar Proceed Committee (BPC), a team of ladies consisting of WIC members and WIC Honorary members (wives of Ambassadors from the diplomatic community).
“This charity bazaar is a place to showcase the wealth of products and the diversity of Indonesian culture by involving the craftsman, culinary businessmen and small-medium enterprises from various regions of Indonesia, especially from North Kalimantan,” said Mufidah Jusuf Kalla. “It is also a forum for cultural exchange between the participating nations. Hopefully, through this bazaar we can help people to improve their needs and education and to empower women. This event is also expected to be an example for other institutions as well as the community, and an inspiration to women in general.”
Through its Social Welfare Committee, WIC currently supports 15 institutions, which include schools for children with special needs, underprivileged children/orphans and street children. WIC members also volunteer to teach English and provide painting and handicrafts classes on a regular basis at the institutions. Through its scholarship program, WIC supports around 50 students from state universities across Jabodetabek. Under the previous year’s committee, WIC has allocated its support in the Jakarta area for renovations, medical supplies and school equipment.
