Chinese women mount mouth-watering food fair

Staff Writer | Wednesday June 30, 2010 00:00

 

The association's consultant, Yurong Sun, told Showbiz that they settled for a food festival because 'food does bring people together' and offer attendees an opportunity to think about ways to help the needy who cannot afford three meals a day. She said the food festival would have authentic homemade Chinese dishes, some of which are rarely provided in local Chinese restaurants.

She said the festival would, among other things, include a fashion show, showcasing Chinese attires, charity fete, recreational activities, and a raffle.

Chinese ambassador, some members of the diplomatic corps and local officials are expected to attend the fest. All proceeds from the food fair, will be donated to charity, or used for community development.

Some of the charities, which have already been selected to benefit from the fair are: Stepping-Stone, an HIV/AIDS orphanage in Mochudi, which will receive P5 000, clothes and shoes; Masitara Foundation, which will also get P5 000 in cash, and blankets; Dinaletsana Development Centre for Disabled Children, will also get a cash donation of P5 000, books and toys, and I Am Special, for Intellectually Disabled Children, will get P5  000 plus two electric irons, two ironing boards, and cooking pots.

Sun sad the association would continue with donations to charities after the festival, explaining that they would welcome information about some of the struggling charities for similar donations in future.

The association is a newly-established organisation by a group of Chinese women who are dedicated to the public welfare in the society. Botswana Chinese Women Association is a non-religious, non-political, and non-profit making social organisation.

The association amongst others aims to advocate for traditional Chinese values; encouraging self-respect, self-reliance, and self-confidence in women. The association also intends to be an encouraging force for women to participate in social affairs, thus to improve their social status.

The newly formed association also intends to cultural exchange functions to increase the understanding between, Batswana, and Chinese, considering that the Chinese population is growing in Botswana.

The association intends to assist in a number of social welfare issues especially those affecting women and children, which amongst others will include setting up a Love & Care Fund, which will be used for those children or women who suffer from curable disasters, or hit by unexpected disasters, just to mention a few.