Despite the harsh weather conditions, literally harsh as you know it was almost stormy, the bazaar was a real success! Being frank with you, as it was my first time in IWC Bazaar, I didn’t know what to expect so did not have high expectations. Once entered, the music started and it immediately set the mood for an exciting event.

At the kitchen, ladies were working really hard and helping out serve the delicious food some of which was either donated or prepared by themselves and of course by other very much beloved IWC volunteers. Hazar and his son was selling tickets for the food; Manuela, Sandra, Elise-Marie, Alexandrina, Maman Bonheur, and so on. They were in charge of the perfect delivery of food and no doubt they did it! As I was at the gate selling tickets, I must admit that I was looking for excuses to go back in the kitchen and buy some more yummy food! Ooops, sorry J.P!!

When I had the chance to get into the area, I was mesmerized by the variety of stuff on sale! It was amazing and at that time it was hard to beat my shopping spree! First I headed to the Ambassadors’ Wives Club’s stall and of course ended up with buying some nice jewellery. The IWC table was of course one of the best spots there. The second hand goods were definitely in good condition and very much attractive to the eye!

The products of the sewing club led by Elise-Marie were absolutely very special and attracted praise. Undeniably, ladies working at the stall Sylvie, Hanna, and all others… Each of them acted like a real professional in sales and managed to provide good profit to the club by making good bargains when it was necessary. So, very well done ladies!!

Another stall that I really liked was Tere Diaz’s. There I could find very nice objects with very good design as presents. In short, her products are highly recommended. There were other vendors that were selling very original African style objects, bags, toys, and so on. The handmade postcards that Niru Ishigooka prepared and sold in the bazaar were really great and were for such a good cause. The money earned from the cards was used for the needs of the children at an orphanage. I can’t find words to describe how wonderful all our members are! That’s incredible.

The children and teens, though couldn’t play in the playground due to the rain, did not regret coming, too. There, Hyemyung saved the day! The table tennis situated in the covered area was of great fun for the kids and adults likewise. The Belgian School with a covered area was a perfectly convenient venue and thanks to it, we made the best out of the rainy day. The Christmas Carols sung by the chorus set the seal on a brilliant day, not to mention tombolo prizes that were enjoyed by the lucky ones there.

Obviously, with some learning points, the bazaar was the beautiful outcome of the team co-ordinated by Wyn, who dedicated great great efforts in its organisation. So, thank you all for contributing to a very nice memory of mine in Kinshasa and love you all!

Sema Tuncel

Our most recent fundraising event – the IWC Latino Soirée – has come and gone. What an evening it was at the Me mling Hotel on the night of Saturday 30 April...all were beautifully attired, the tables looked lovely, the Hotel Memling excelled with their food and service, and many danced the night away to great music.

Such an event always involves a tremendous amount of involvement from many people and organisations. First of all, we would like to thank our sponsors. Without the generous financial contributions of BIAC, Rawbank, Groupe Orgaman, Nestlé Congo Sprl, BIC, Complast and Alma Paints, our evening would not have been able to raise the funds that it has to assist our two selected projects – ‘Order of Servants of Charity’ and ‘The Kimbondo Paediatric Hospital’.

We are also grateful for the kind donations to our Tombola and Silent Auction. For our Tombola, we would like to thank Jeffery Travels (Kinshasa), Palacina Residence and Suites (Nairobi), Lilogo Lodge (Johannesburg), Sentido Neptune Hotels (Mombasa), New Africa Hotel (Dar es Salaam) and painters M. Kayamba and M. Mbikulu. We also would like to thank Bijouterie Manhattan, C. E. Tech Group Sprl, Hasson et Frère, Image In, Joaillerie Balzamine and Salon de Coiffure Mansour for their contributions to our ‘Silent Auction’.

Our evening would not have been what it was without the contributions of others who assisted in one way or another with our evening, including printers Imprimerie Graphic Systems, photographer Mme. Anne Jullien, graphic artist Mme. Manuela Seres, artisan M. Michael Ikanga, and Hotel Memling. Thank you all.

Last but by no means least, thankyou to all members who assisted with our fundraising evening. Once again, one is reminded of the diverse group that we are, but the many skills and abilities that we all possess and how, working together, we can put them to great use in making such an event possible, and help provide a better future for children in Kinshasa.