Philanthropy by IWA

THE ITALIAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Promoting Charitable Giving Since 1996

Since 1996, the Italian Women’s Association (IWA) has been registered as a nonprofit organization, committed to the mission of charitable giving. Connecting Italian women and others who are interested in the Italian language and culture, and the camaraderie built around it, the Association endeavours to organize events and raise funds to help those in need.

Thanks to the unpaid work and dedication of its board and volunteers, IWA can devote 100% of its profits to charities in Hong Kong and Macao, to enable them to continue to serve the underprivileged.

The Association organizes monthly activities such as social gatherings and cultural events, playgroups for children, excursions, lectures, and classes on different topics ranging from art, nutrition, cooking, embroidering to yoga.

On top of these monthly activities, IWA’s main fundraising event is “Il Mercatino di Iwa”, an Italian charity market day, which involves on an annual basis the local and international community in Hong Kong. Thousands of people gather every year to buy products kindly donated by the Italian companies, and sold through the hard work of IWA’s volunteers.

If there is one thing that we are proud of, it is IWA’s mission in redistributing resources to those in need, while building a community of togetherness.

IWA’s Committee on the day of the election

One year of IWA

Having reached more than half of its mandate, IWA would like to tell you more about the charities helped throughout the year, thanks to its monthly events and “Il Mercatino di Iwa”, held at PMQ in November 2021, another great success in terms of attendance and amount raised.

The Italian Women’s Association has been supporting for many years Operation Santa Claus and The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children, through successful collaboration and mutual partnership.

Operation Santa Claus (OSC) is an annual charity campaign jointly run by the South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong. Its aim is to make a difference to the community and beyond by combining the fundraising power of two of the most respected news organisations in the city. Since 1988, OSC has brought over HK$333 million to 320 charities, working with corporates, donors and charitable projects to create real change and support those in need in Hong Kong by driving fundraising initiatives.

The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children (The Society) was established in 1953, with the mission to support medical, surgical, rehabilitation and educational services to differentlyabled children in Hong Kong. The Society established a convalescent home in Sandy Bay in 1955, which became later the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay, where IWA organized its first annual charity market. Despite the change in management, The Society still has a significant influence in the running of the Hospital, by supporting emerging areas of child health not available in the public health care system, as well as areas of medical social concerns that fulfil the Society’s mission.

Part of IWA’s Committee at Il Mercatino 2021

Besides these long-term collaborations, IWA is in daily contact with different NGOs in Hong Kong, to support and reach the less fortunate ones: children, women, refugees, the homeless and the elderly. It is common practice for IWA during the year to save and devolve some of its proceeds to unexpected requests or last-minute emergencies.

Last December, IWA heard of a new child born in a local community called Bethune House, and promptly helped by donating clothing items, sponsored during Il Mercatino, together with some money to meet the primary needs.

Bethune House has been, since 1986, Hong Kong’s most reliable refuge for migrant women workers in crisis. It is a community-driven emergency shelter that provides food, medical and other assistance and enables migrant women workers to seek justice and achieve empowerment in Hong Kong.

Also St. Barnabas’ Society and Home turned to IWA for help, seeking financial assistance and receiving one-month operating expenses in order to keep running the structure.

St. Barnabas’ Society and Home, is a local charity aiming to create a caring community, to support the poor and homeless, provide material aid and spiritual care, and help to reintegrate them back into society, not only by supplying food and shelter, but also counselling assistance.

From time to time, IWA pays a visit to these NGOs in Hong Kong, to discuss their needs before sponsoring. That is what happened with a project funded by Care for Children, an NGO in charge of training the operators who deal with foster care and the adoption of orphan children.

Members of the Committee visiting an NGO

Another way to help the underprivileged is to dedicate the proceeds of a specific month to their cause. In October, for example, IWA promoted Breast Cancer Awareness, and supported women to reduce breast cancer risks, with donations to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation.

Being March the month that marks the International Women’s Day, IWA has decided, in the past edition, to support Home Care for Girls (HCG) a non-profit organization helping young girls in crises. This NGO provides a safe and caring home-like environment where girls under extreme stress can experience compassion and live a stable life away from problematic family situations while working towards a brighter future.

In November, on the anniversary of The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, IWA sustains Stop Trafficking of People (STOP), one of the Branches of Hope’s initiatives, with the goal to raise awareness about trafficking, in the fight against modern slavery, as well as the project RainLily of the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Woman (ACSVAW).

Fundraising with Crust Italian

In the last few years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many NGOs’ needs and dynamics have changed to cope with the emergency of those who lost jobs and homes. For this reason, IWA in collaboration with Crust Italian, has recently promoted a new project, “Il Caffè sospeso”, to donate 1,000 sold coffees worth to Food Angel, Hanuman Charity and Hope Angels to provide meals for the homeless in Hong Kong.

These and more projects are all possible thanks to the help and donation of our members and friends, who join our events and fundraising efforts to keep supporting the ones in need.

For more information on the Association, visit our website www.iwa.org.hk and social media, or write to secretary@iwa.org.hk