Festive fund raisingThis year, the 16th Annual Charity IWC (International Women's Club) Bazaar, will take place from 11.30am until 5pm on Sunday, December 5, at the Inter Expo Centre in Sofia.
Visitors will have the unique chance to purchase foods, drinks and handicrafts from more than 45 countries. Vietnam and Malta will be first-time stallholders this year.
Guest of honour will be Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandukova who will cut the ribbon. Sofia municipality has also expressed an interest in having a stall at the bazaar.
The IWC yearly Bazaar raises funds for the IWC Charity Foundation which supports a variety of charitable projects throughout Bulgaria.
One of the most notable current good causes is the baba (grandmother) project whereby women from the areas where orphanages are located are paid to devote themselves to two children each, four hours a day. The IWC Charity Foundation supports five programmes involving a total of 30 babas (in Petrovo Orphanage since 2004, in Maria Luisa Orphanage in Buzovgrad since 2006, in Gorski Senovets Orphanage since 2007, in Zlatitsa Orphanage since 2009, and in the Karin Dom Day Centre in Varna since 2009).
Aside from the baba programme, the IWC supports several other important charitable causes, including de-institutionalisation and transition homes. Several charitable organisations, which are supported by the IWC, will be represented at the bazaar. These organisations will sell handmade artwork including Christmas cards, candles, candle holders, embroidery, produced by residents of several transition homes and participants in vocational training workshops.
Many good causesAnother important project supported by the IWC since its inception in 2002 is The Social Kitchen. The scheme, initiated by BNP Paribas in co-operation with Sofia municipality, consists of the provision of a daily lunch for elderly, poor citizens and people with disabilities every winter. The 2009/2010 Social Kitchen has provided meals for 1750 people at 12 distribution points in Sofia, and one in Varna.
Among the innumerable projects supported by the IWC is the Hospice Milosardie. This facility offers comprehensive care to terminally ill people, assists elderly people in their homes and operates a soup kitchen throughout the year.
The Initiative Pastra, implemented by Concordia Foundation, is another worthy operation that aims at improving the living conditions of 80 adult men with mental health problems, living in Pastra Home near Rila.
The 2009 Charity Bazaar drew more than 5000 visitors and nearly 900 volunteers. A total of 49 countries with seven new entries were represented out of a total of more than 59 stalls. Besides the IWC, nine other charity foundations were present, as were five other Bulgarian Women’s Associations and Clubs. About 250 donors sponsored the stalls and 315 000 leva was raised by the event.
At this year's event the IWC has arranged for a private 50-seater bus to run between NDK and the Expo Centre. In addition, both the Expo Centre and the Expo Hotel will provide free parking space for visitors. The IWC would like to invite visitors to come to the bazaar by bus 114 from Eagles Bridge. In order to facilitate transport, Sofia municipality has promised a frequent service.
The IWC welcomes donations of goods and finances for the support of the Charity Bazaar. Individuals or companies who would like to support the event by making donations - clothes, toys, books or cash contributions - can contact Mrs Marianna McClaren bazaar co-ordinator, at
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Tickets to this year's event are three leva per person. People over 60 pay two leva and admission for children under 12 is free. 
Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:21 pm