AWC Bazaar 2018 raises money for charity

The ASEAN Women’s Circle of Jakarta (AWC) successfully organised the 2018 Annual Bazaar on 1 & 2 November at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners and more than 70 vendors from all over Indonesia and the ASEAN region participated in this year's bazaar. ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners showcased and sold products and delicacies unique in their respective countries. Vendors offered goods ranging from batik fabric and clothes to handicrafts, and accessories. Distinctive products such as recycled home wares, scented candles, organic bath and beauty products were sold by vendors focusing on social enterprise and women empowerment.

In her welcome remarks at the Opening Ceremony held at the ASEAN Hall, which was attended by the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, diplomats and their spouses, AWC President Sari Percaya expressed her gratitude to everyone who continuously supported the annual event. She informed the audience of the accomplishments of AWC over the past year such as projects which are focused on education, women empowerment and for children with special needs. She also took the opportunity to invite volunteers, especially spouses of diplomats to join some of the members of the AWC Executive Committee who regularly teach in Ekselensia, a boarding school for less privileged students.

In another inspiring speech, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for Community and Corporate Affairs, Dr. AKP Mochtan, thanked the AWC anew for making the bazaar an exciting event that people look forward to every year. He lauded the AWC for their steadfast work and dedication to their charity endeavors especially their swift action to come up with donations when certain calamities struck Indonesia over the past months.

The Royal Thai Embassy, the Permanent Mission of Thailand to ASEAN and ladies from the Thai community in Indonesia performed a well-applauded opening dance number entitled The Spirit of ASEAN. Each of the ten dancers donned costumes and performed dances representing the 10 ASEAN countries.

Jubing Kristianto, an acclaimed Indonesian acoustic guitarist likewise performed soulful renditions of Indonesian folk songs both at the opening ceremony and the bazaar venue. Children with Autism from Mpati, an organization of differently abled and special children likewise performed at the bazaar, entertaining the visitors with enthusiastically delivered popular songs.

This year’s bazaar was generously supported by some of AWC’s loyal patrons and corporate sponsors such as Air Asia, Philippine Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Alila Hotels, Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Jakarta. The Thai Mission to ASEAN donated a round trip ticket to Bangkok via Thai Airways. Asian Tigers, an international moving company, gave away hampers for raffle and eco bags for shoppers throughout the two-day event. Other sponsors were Danone, Lotte Duty Free, and Ming by Tung Lok.

#AnnualBazaar