There are no strangers, just friends we haven’t met yet!

Bucharest - 05 ianuarie 2012 - The International Women’s Association of Bucharest, IWA, is a charitable, non-profit, non-political and non-religious association. It was established in 1978 by a group of Foreign and Romanian women in Bucharest. IWA’s main purposes are to welcome and promote friendship between women of all nationalities living in Romania, to acquaint non-Romanian members with the culture and tradition of Romania, to promote intercultural exchanges between its members and, most importantly to assist selected charities.

The International Women’s Association’s Annual Christmas Bazaar, is the Association’s signature charity fundraising event. It is a wonderful day when people from both the International and local community come together in an atmosphere of friendship ensuring a high level of support for a common goal. Nationalities from around the world share their culture, music, dance, costumes, handicrafts and offer the opportunity to try the unique cuisines from different countries.

This year, the main bazaar was held in RomExpo on Sunday the 4th December with 31 countries, 12 private companies and 7 NGOs taking part. The day proved a huge success and together we raised in excess of 228000.00 Ron. Everyone who takes part in the Bazaar is a volunteer and gives their time freely.

Over the day, visitors were able to purchase beautiful gifts from around the world as well as watch the entertainment programme and costume parade from the participating countries. TV presenter, Liana Stanciu, presented the entertainment programme and ensured the children were relaxed and communicated the IWA mission to everyone. The Romanian Olympic Women Rowers attended and spoke to fans. Even Santa Claus made an appearance, accompanied by clowns and fairies.

The following Sunday, we held a mini Bazaar with the support of Baneasa Shopping City where we sold surplus donated goods and raised a further 7000.00 Ron. Once again we delivered a small International Children’s Entertainment programme, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the Shoppers in the Mall.

All money raised will go to support local Charities in Bucharest focusing on improving the lives of disadvantaged women, children and the elderly living in and around Bucharest. To this end, the IWA Charity Committee is already busy evaluating new projects. They will choose appropriate projects with a focus on maximizing the benefit and impact of the funding you have helped to raise. IWA does not fund salaries or consumables.

Over the last year projects funded include :

A heating boiler in a home for the elderly

A Braille printing system

Provided special medical diagnostic equipment including portable ultrasound equipment

Furnishing an Industrial Kitchen to provide meals for needy children and the elderly

Purchasing three wheel chairs, furniture and a sewing machine for physically disabled people

Repairs to roof of centre for abandoned HIV children

Renovation of a children’s home – windows and building materials

Regular updates of all our charity projects will be published in the IWA Newsletter and Website. IWA would like to thank everyone who supports us and looks forward to seeing you at our next Fundraising event

There are no strangers, just friends we haven’t met yet!

www.iwabucharest.ro

J Anne Hutton President IWA Bucharest

Countries participating in the event

Algeria, South Africa, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, UAE, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latin America (Mexico, Colombia, Argentina) Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Romania, United States, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary.

NGOs/Charites:

Open Hearts, Open Hand, PAVEL, Health Aid Romania, Touched Romania, Second Chance, Fundatia Inocenti.

Partners and Sponsors :

Azuga Apa de Izvor, Venera Arapu, Bluepoint, Caliana, Click pentru Femei, Catchy like a woman, Diplomatic Club,Just 4-Advertising, Radio Romania, Revista Casa Lux, Revista Ioana, Rembrant Hotel, Tiparituri.ro, Baneasa Shopping City, Grand Cinema Digiplex, Bilbor, Cumpana, Domo, Egerom Production SA, Estee Lauder, Exotique, Fun Science, Garanti Bank, L’Oreal, Lidl, NEXT, Oxana Salon, Optim, Pepsico, Petrofac, Radisson, RATB, Rilvan Moving and Relocation, Romexpo, Tuborg,Unilever, Scorseze International SRL, Primaria Sectorului 1 Bucuresti, Unirea Shopping Centre, Vizoo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Agrana, Agricola Stirbey, Alpine, AMA-Gustul Naturii Austria, APDT Brasov, CIRO, DB Schenker Romtrans, Gutman Bank, Henkel, Kotanyi, Maresi, MediaZoo/Nova music Entertainment, Novomatic, Petrom , Porshe Romania, Siemens, Swarovsky, VAE Apcarom SA, Voestalpine, Volksbank with the Embassy of Austria.

Pilsner Urquell, Hame - Czech Republic

Atifco foods, TOYO Motors with the Embassy of Egypt.

SC.Agapitos Trading SRL, Best Foods Production SRL, Elgeka-Ferfelis Romania SA, Greek School of Bucharest "Athena", Greek Turism Organisation EOT, SC Ifantis SA, SC Kalitera SRL, Lidl Discount SRL, SC Meetme SRL, Melenia Art Gallery, SC.Olympus Dairy Industry SA, PEPSICO, SofMedica SRL, SC Stirom SA, Greek children .

Automatcafe, Bihore, Cellini,Claudia Varesi, Incom, Italsofa, Italian Knitwear SRL, Lidl, Mistral, Original Marines, Parmalat, Pirelli, Ring Textile Production, Sciliani, SPEA Ingegneria Europea, STEFANEL, Vox Mentis : with the Embassy of Italy.

Primus International Trading Co SRL with the Embassy of India

Carlsrom Beverage Co SRL, Guinness, Jameson Whiskey with the Embassy of Ireland

Afi Europe Management SRL with the Embassy of Israel.

Candellux Romania SRL, IKEA,Kamis, Kruk SA, Lidl Discount SRL, SC Bella Romania Impex SRL, Nestle Romania,SC Zdrovit Romania SRL,Tymbark Maspex Romania , Microsoft,Nestle Romania SRL, Eco Fish, Porta KMI Romania with the Embassy of Poland

ANAT, Ardent Import Export SRL, AXA Porcelaine, Boutique Du Vin, Dealul Racoveanu CORCOVA, Glaqmour Dent, Hellen and Hortensia, ICAS, Family Travel Agency, Lavazza Blue, Ma Dame, Mistral Tours, Nufarul SA, Paradise Travel Agency ,Stiker International, YWY Bags, ZU & ZA Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Romanian stand.

Dominos Pizza, French Bakery with the Embassy of United States of America.

Kazakhstan Fedaration of Unesco Clubs and Associations-KazFUCA with the Embassy of Kazakhstan

Private companies:

Anana Handmade, Honey Factory, Imoteca, Les Saveurs D’Yveline, London Street Bakery, Madame Lucie, The Hobby, Thermomix, Exotique, SC Biltong SRL, Valvis, Egerom Production S.A.

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http://www.iwabucharest.ro/