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.