German women gear up for Christmas season

German women gear up for Christmas season

By Maria Andi

JAKARTA (JP): Many German women here get involved in social
activities such as charity bazaars not only to help the
unfortunate but to better understand Indonesian culture as well.

Over 170 German-speaking women of the Die Brucke foundation
were on hand yesterday at their annual Christmas bazaar, which
was opened by Mrs. Karin Seemann, wife of the German ambassador
to Indonesia.

Entering the auditorium of the Kemang Hotel, where the one-day
bazaar was held, one could sense the spirit of Christmas.

Everything in the auditorium, from the ornaments to the
handicrafts to the food offered, was typical German.

"All the items were flown here free by Lufthansa directly from
Germany," one German woman told The Jakarta Post.

She said about 70 percent of the goods at the bazaar
were bought by the foundation in Germany, while the remaining 30
percent were donated by German companies operating in Indonesia.

"All the money we raise from this bazaar will go to charity,"
she said.

Die Brucke is a non-profit organization. Set up in Jakarta 16
years ago by a group of German-speaking women, the foundation is
designed to provide direct financial support to poor and
handicapped children throughout Indonesia.

The foundation has helped finance Indonesian children with
harelip needing surgery or those suffering from cataract.

Funds for these activities are raised through the involvement
of the foundation's volunteers, which also include Indonesian
women married to German nationals.

Apart from bazaars, the volunteers also hold fashion shows and
garage sales to raise money for the underprivileged.

Ulla Endres, the foundation's spokeswoman, told the Post that
another function of Die Brucke is to encourage German women
living in Indonesia to learn about the country's many cultures as
well as its people.

"Many of our members are not allowed to work here unless they
have permission. Many employ servants to do their household
chores and have plenty of time for social activities," Endres
said.

"Die Brucke wants to work together with our Indonesian
friends. Activities should be fun and we have no target because
we give away what we raise," she said.

The foundation also publishes a journal about its activities
as well as a calendar of events with information on local
cultural performances.