AWC's 2017 At A Glance

2017 was an event-filled year for the ASEAN Women's Circle of Jakarta (AWC). A variety of fundraising events were held, and the proceeds raised went into charitable distributions. AWC also set its sights on building up outreach efforts, particularly in the field of education and training. Last but not least, AWC also organized a plethora of fun and engaging social activities for its members to participate in and enjoy.

Here's 2017 at a glance...

Fundraising

European Union-ASEAN Run

On 7 May 2017, the first ever EU-ASEAN Run was organized to commemorate a ‘triple anniversary’: 40 years of EU-ASEAN partnership, 50 years since the founding of ASEAN and 60 years of the Treaties of Rome and the establishment of the EU. The EU-ASEAN Run brought together over 1,700 European and ASEAN citizens on Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Sisingamangaraja.

AWC helmed a culinary booth selling traditional food and beverage from the ASEAN Member States as well as ASEAN Dialogue Partners. There were also information and food stalls from several EU Member States – Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain and Sweden.

In collaboration with AWC, a total of more than 75 million Indonesian Rupiah was raised, both from the proceeds of the run and the earnings from the mini food festival. The funds were donated to three foundations supporting the well-being of disadvantaged children in Indonesia: Yayasan Al Ikhwan, which provides elementary education for children from low income families or children not eligible for formal education; Yayasan Onkologi Anak Indonesia, an Indonesian Childhood Cancer Foundation; and Yayasan Mpati, which promotes autism awareness and provides training for parents from middle to low income groups who have autistic children.

AWC Annual Bazaar

The annual charity bazaar was held over two days on 6 and 7 November 2017 at the ASEAN Secretariat. Over 80 vendors representing ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Dialogue Partners and business owners from different provinces of Indonesia participated in this year’s event, selling a diverse selection of products ranging from oriental carpets, rattan furniture, jewelries, batik fabrics, apparels, to accessories, utensils and decorative items made from clay or recycled materials. Aside from showcasing arts and crafts of different countries and cultures, the two-day event also served as a culinary feast to the guests. Traditional food, deserts and delicacies from the ASEAN region and from other parts of the world were also available.

The bazaar attracted a crowd of more than hundred patrons, and AWC managed to raise a total of 140 million Indonesia Rupiah from the bazaar.

Charitable Distributions

Over the course of 2017, AWC donated the funds raised from our events to several foundations for the betterment of women and children in Indonesia, as well as overseas.

AWC visited Sekolah Motivator Ekselensia to deliver basic food supplies. In addition to that, AWC also donated two laptops and bought carpets for the two dormitories. Two vacuum cleaners were also donated for upkeep of the carpets.

AWC also donated school materials (in the form of books, arts and craft supplies etc) for pre-school children at Scavenger's Location in Jakarta, a school managed by volunteers from Yayasan Indonesia Hijau.

A donation was also made to the victims of the Mayon Volcano eruption and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City in the Philippines. Sleeping bags, hygiene kits, face masks and cash amounting to 50,000 Philippines Pesos were donated through Caritas, Manila for Marawi Rehabilitation projects for purchasing school supplies for children and basic necessities for women.

Yayasan Pendidikan Al-Hikmah was another recipient which benefited from funds raised in 2017. A total of seven sewing, embroidery and hemming machines were donated to the special needs school in Padalarang, Bandung, to equip the students with skills for them to be financially independent.

AWC will also be donating several guitars to a school in Flores for students who wish to learn how to play musical instruments.

Education and Training

ASEAN Education Day

AWC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, organized the ASEAN Education Day on 19 October 2017, with the theme "The Role of Youth in Maintaining Peace in the ASEAN Region". The program comprised of a seminar, discussion, interactive games, and a tour of the historically significant Gedung Pancasila.

Read more about the special ASEAN 50 edition of the ASEAN Education Day here.

Teaching English

As part of AWC's outreach efforts, Mrs. Dorothy Novicio from the Philippines has been teaching English as a Second Language to students at Yayasan Al Ikhwan in Bintaro since 2016.

Mrs. Sari Percaya, current AWC President, as well as ladies from the AWC Executive Committee, will commence English conversation classes with the students at Sekolah Motivator Ekselensia in 2018.

Social Activities

Plenty of social activities featured in the 2017 AWC calendar.

In April 2017, AWC organised a trip for its members to Kampung Djamoe, an outdoor herb 'museum' and a residential training facility set up by Martha Tilaar to teach young women skills that would enable them to work at Martha Tilaar outlets.

May 2017 saw the annual AWC Bowling Tournament being held. Representatives from the various ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners, the ASEAN Secretariat and Dharma Wanita Persatuan took part in the tournament, each competing to win the top prize.

AWC also took part in the ASEAN 50 Parade organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Representatives from AWC graced the opening ceremony of the ASEAN + China Art Exhibition by Bale Seni Barli in Bandung.

Last but not least, AWC members also had the opportunity to attend various coffee mornings organized by ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners, in particular Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and India.

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