Cross cultural exchange at CNY festive gathering
MIRI: Miri Petroleum Ladies Association ( PWPM) members yesterday celebrated the Chinese New Year for cross cultural exchange and greater understanding among members.
The association’s newly returned unopposed president Srimurniyati Cranfield and committee member Liz Durkin who is wife of Simon Durkin, managing director of Sarawak Shell Berhad ( SSB) were among some 70 members and guests from 13 countries attending the gathering.
Cranfield said the small gathering was a success in gathering members to join in the celebration where they were treated to signature food and drinks of the Chinese community.
“It was an enlightening gathering with vice-president Adeline Soh briefing on the significance of the celebration while cousin Jennie Soh and daughter Sheryl talked on the Chinese zodiac and ‘ Yee Sang’ a prosperity dish of the Chinese New Year,” Cranfield said.
After the briefing, members divided into two groups to take part in tossing Yee Sang.
Cranfield introduced the members and guests to newly elected PWPM exco members for the 2017-2018 term.
“Thank you for having confidence in me to lead the association for the fourth term and also the other exco members.
“With continued strong support and cooperation from the members, we will be able to organise activities planned for this year,” he said.
On March 8, PWPM in conjunction with International Women’s Day will hold a Recipe Exchange gathering where members from different countries will showcase signature dishes and delicacies, and exchange recipes.
PWPM also holds weekly activities like craft-making, dancing, cooking demonstration as well as taking part in many charitable and community service projects.
At the gathering, RM300 was collected from the members for fire victims Merieo and Nasa who are both staff of Piasau Boat Club.
Their houses at Kampong Pasir, Lutong were destroyed in a recent fire.
“We hope that through these activities, we keep alive the vision of our pioneers in establishing PWPM besides promoting cross cultural exchange for members to interact harmoniously, exchange ideas and views and take part in activities for the benefit of members and the local community,” stressed Cranfield.
PWPM has 120 members from 13 countries namely Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Venezuela, Netherlands and Japan.