BIWA Bazaar Attracts 3,000 Visitors

(3/24/2003)

Bali International Women's Association hosted their 9^th annual BIWA Bazaar at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) on Sunday, March 9, 2003.

Tickets sales broke all previous attendance records with over 2500 tickets sold and nearly 3000 people attending the event. Over Rp. 250 million (approximately US$ 28.000) was raised for charity during the course of the full-day bazaar. Funds raised at this year's event were earmarked for AIDS victims, HIV prevention, and helping the underprivileged children of Bali.

The bazaar featured booths sponsored by local merchants, musical entertainment, contests, refreshments and lucky draws. With information on AIDS/HIV prevention was distributed via a booth staffed by Dr. Inne's Mobile Clinic for Women's Reproductive Health, who gave out brochures, pamphlets and flyers on STD/HIV/AIDS awareness.

BIWA, the organizer of the event, has over 180 members comprised of Indonesian and expatriate women in Bali, who work in conjunction with various foundations to raise funds for local charities.

Over 100 booths filled the BICC, with representatives from the local handicraft, hospitality, tourism, fashion, medical, agricultural industries as well as booths staffed by BIWA members filling the hall. An hourly raffle of prizes stimulated the sale of 2,500 raffle tickers for some 250 attractive prizes donated by local and regional companies.

Children's contests and an exhibition of paintings by eight international women artists living in Bali, marking International Woman's Day on March 8th, were also part of the BIWA Bazaar.