ICCB 2018EXPERIENCE
A PRE-CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN AID OF CHARITY
The much awaited International Christmas Charity Bazaar (ICCB) 2018 will kick off this Sunday at the Galle Face Hotel ballroom. With many items on sale along with exciting giveaways, guests are definitely in for a treat. What is quite interesting is that you not only get to shop till you drop but you can also contribute to charity with every purchase. ICCB 2018 once again includes exciting giveaways that could be won through raffle draws and lucky dips. It is an interesting cultural exchange with many countries and charities coming in to sell their goods and support various causes. Each country manages to bring their own items which could be bought at affordable rates.
ROSHANI, Saudi Embassy
“This is our first time and we will be having many traditional items from Saudi on sale. It’s good to be a part of this event and get to know all the countries and network with them.”
FARIDA, President, Zonta Club III
“It’s the first time that the Zonta club got an opportunity to get involved with ICCB. This is one of our empowerment programmes called Zonta Empowers Women (ZEW). It’s a sewing programme where we have taken over three villages in the North and East of the country where we taught them sewing. We train these ladies in partnership with Singer and we are going to sell the goods that they make. We have beautiful bags made by them, gift bags, cushion covers, linen napkins. These would make great Christmas gifts as well. We are also giving these ladies an opportunity to sell their goods in Colombo.”
For over 30 years, the ICCB committee has put in their effort to make it a success and raise as many funds as possible. This year too, the committee has put much attention to detail to ensure that all stallholders and guests get a one-of-akind shopping experience.
ARUNI JOHN, Charities and Countries Cordinator
“I joined the committee four years ago and I’m quite passionate about the work we do. For me the whole point is because it’s the Christmas season and we get wonderful goods from all over the world – the most important thing is that every single rupee raised from this event goes to someone in need. What I loved about being in the committee is that when I joined in 2015 we had three or four charities we regularly give but now we have managed to look further and help more people in a meaningful way with new projects. We have moved beyond just helping a selected few to trying to help as many people as possible. We are exceptionally committed to make sure that every single cent goes to charity. We have also partnered with the 1333 suicide hotline which could be better known. So we hope that at this year’s bazaar everybody leaves with that number in their mind.”
This year ICCB has also taken on a new project titled the Pink Tuktuk which is part of an international charity called the Rosy May foundation. ICCB supplied a pink tuktuk to ensure the safe transport of women and girls driven by a licensed female driver.
Speaking about the project, Mary Storrie, Director/cofounder of Rosy May foundation said that right now there are 10 female drivers and those women are working in their own communities.
MARY STORRIE, Director/cofounder of Rosy May foundation
“They take children to school and women to work. It’s been very successful and we have created a great interest throughout the island. When they see another woman driving a tuk they get motivated and that way we are creating positive role models to break the gender barriers and reduce gender discrimination. At the moment we function in the Galle District and we hope to expand to other areas as well. Women go on hires after they have been pre-booked so they are not seen in tuk stands or on the streets picking up people. So they are not challenging other tuk drivers. This way we ensure their safety as well. ”
So if you want to purchase your seasonal goodies and also contribute to one or many worthy causes this Christmas head over to ICCB this Sunday. This year there will be 2600 reusable Keells bags to make your shopping experience an eco-friendly one. The ICCB committee is also delighted to have Elyssonmirissa as their logistic partner.