The Women's International Club (WIC) Jakarta recently celebrated its 54th Annual Charity Bazaar with tremendous success, showcasing the spirit of global unity and giving. The event, held at the Jakarta Convention Center, Hall B, on November 8th and 9th, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, was inaugurated by the First Lady, Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, and the Second Lady, Ibu Wury Ma'ruf Amin.

In attendance were numerous distinguished guests, including Ibu Mirdiyanti Budi Hartono, spouse of the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, and members of the Solidarity Act Organization of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet (OASE KIM). The event's main sponsor was the Regional Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), with the Governor of NTB, Bapak Lale Prayatni, and his spouse participating in the festivities.

NTB's stall at the bazaar showcased traditional NTB woven fabrics, local cuisine, and NTB craft souvenirs, all while promoting the region's rich tourism offerings. The event's opening dance, Rasate Tana Samawa, was a mesmerizing Sumbawa dance performance that celebrated the cultural vibrancy of Tana Samawa, highlighting its natural beauty, warm community, and dynamic way of life. Sumbawa girls' dance moves set the tone for a warm welcome to Nusa Tenggara Barat, especially Tana Samawa.

The closing ceremony featured yet another spectacular dance, Merariq, an integral part of Lombok's customs. Merariq signifies a girl's transition to adulthood and readiness for marriage, symbolized by her "kidnapping" by her future husband. The Merariq flower dance creatively depicted a girl's emotional journey filled with longing, anxiety, and happiness as she awaits her lover, culminating in a wedding ceremony with the traditional bridal entourage procession.

The Annual Charity Bazaar boasted around 40 stalls representing various foreign embassies in Indonesia, including the Embassy of The Argentine Republic and the Embassy of The Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In addition, there were 225 business stalls, 29 food and beverage stalls, WIC Merchandise stalls, and White Elephant stalls, with an entrance fee of IDR 25,000 per person.

The participation of foreign embassies played a crucial role in the success of the event, as it allowed visitors to explore and appreciate the cultures and traditions of various countries. The WIC Annual Bazaar fosters the exchange of knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures.

The Women's International Club (WIC) is committed to providing women from around the world with opportunities to meet, build friendships, share ideas, and expand their understanding of different cultures. The main fundraising event, the Annual Charity Bazaar, helps fund WIC's social missions, which include providing monthly support to several senior homes and orphanages, as well as offering annual scholarships to state university students.

The White Elephant Stall, a notable feature of the bazaar, sells usable items, including new donations from WIC members. The proceeds from this initiative will benefit seven institutions, including four senior homes and three orphanages, all dedicated to the welfare of their communities. The sales target has been set at over 70 million rupiah, with hopes of surpassing the remarkable achievement of the previous year.

The 54th Annual Charity Bazaar was an undeniable success, evident from the large turnout and the enthusiastic support of embassy and business stalls. WIC remains steadfast in its commitment to host this annual event, continuing to make a difference in the lives of underserved individuals in the community.

About Women's International Club Jakarta

The Women's International Club (WIC) Jakarta, founded over seventy years ago, offers local Indonesian and expatriate women a platform to collaborate voluntarily in fundraising efforts, notably through the Annual Charity Bazaar, to advance WIC's mission. This mission encompasses educational and social welfare programs for underprivileged communities in the greater Jakarta area.

With its strong commitment to the improvement of social causes and education, WIC strives to provide women of all nationalities with the opportunity to meet, foster friendships, learn new things, share ideas, and enhance their understanding of different cultures.