Charity bazaar 2015

International Women’s Club of Sofia

Charity

Bazaar 2015

Dear Supporters, As president of the International Women’s Club of Sofia, I have the pleasure to announce our annual Charity Bazaar has once again raised more than 300,000 leva to help the most underprivileged and deprived people of Bulgaria.

The 21st annual Charity Bazaar has been another amazing success, with more money raised on the bazaar day than last year, together with donations directly to our organisation, the total amount of money continues to rise, year on year.

This can only happen with the dedication of our members, volunteers and supporters, and with the generosity and consistent financial help of our donors and partners who we are proud to be associated with, and for which we are truly grateful. Thank you to everyone who plays a part in this wonderful charity event.

I would also like to express my sincere thanks to their Majesties, King Simeon II and Queen Margarita for their attendance at this year’s bazaar. We were so honoured to have Queen Margarita officially open our bazaar! The stall holders and the attending public were delighted

with their presence on the day and the enthusiasm they have shown to our cause.

My thanks also to the ambassadors and diplomatic staff who involve themselves right from the start continuing on to the help they provide at the country stalls, and also to the international and local communities who come together to volunteer their time and money.

My greatest thanks go to Toi Castelló, our Bazaar Coordinator and her team, who worked tirelessly to make sure this year’s bazaar ran smoothly, and without whose efforts this could not happen.

Together we will make a difference to the lives of many throughout Bulgaria and hopefully foster a caring and positive attitude within everyone, thank you all for everything you do!

Best regards Angela Bird IWC President 2015-2016

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The members of the Board of the International Women’s Club – Sofia express their gratitude to Her Majesty Tsaritsa Margarita for being Guest of Honour of the 2015 IWC Charity Bazaar Another great success of the Charity Bazaar of the International Women’s Club is a fact. This year we marked our 10th year at the Inter Expo Centre in Sofia and our second highest amount, raised since our 21 years of existence. In 2015 we were also honoured by the presence of Their Majesties Tsar Simeon and Tsaritsa Margarita,

who received a very warm welcome by everyone, especially by the members of the diplomatic community in Sofia. After opening the event officially, Their Majesties enjoyed a stroll in the bazaar halls, stopping occasionally for some Christmas shopping and trying their luck at the IWC Tombola stall.

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Dear friends, Thanks to the support of all of you we had another successful IWC Charity Bazaar.

We reached more than 230 000 BGN on the day of the Bazaar with the participation of 70 stalls, including stalls of charities, IWC and 49 countries. The overall result together with the direct donations is over 330 000 BGN. These are not just numbers. These are the results of a great effort of hundreds of volunteers and all donors and partners that supported the Bazaar. These are the results of hours of hard work and at the same time of joy, good spirit and intention. So all donors, volunteers and stall representatives were sharing the same objective – to collect as much money as possible and hand it over 100% as proceeds towards IWC supported charities.

There is one thing that is great about the Bazaar and it is that within the diverse backgrounds of participants a common goal still exists. This goal is to help people in need and it proves that sharing is of universal value. The causes supported by the IWC deserve our efforts. These causes are directed towards helping the most vulnerable – children and women in need.

But giving money is not the only solution. That is why the IWC strives to support sustainable activities that are intended to achieve long-term results of not just material value but also for the development of one’s self esteem, dignity, awareness,

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communication abilities, skills and knowledge, through involvement in different activities, self-help groups and caring for each other.

If you would like to find out more about projects supported by funds which you helped raise at the Bazaar, you can log on to the IWC website or access the monthly newsletter, available to IWC members, where regular more detailed updates are published.

If you think that a certain charitable foundation fulfills the IWC criteria and goals, you can encourage it to send a project proposal to the IWC board. We would love to consider it.

After the success of the Bazaar in 2015 we are ready to start planning for the next one and we believe it would be even more successful. Organising this event is a great responsibility, a lot of work is required but it also brings a great amount of satisfaction.

Your involvement as IWC donors makes a great difference, so please, keep doing it because your contribution really matters!

We count on you!

Contact us at any time as we are looking forward to your generous contribution.

See you in December 2016.

Toi Castelló i Reñé, Bazaar Coordinator 2015

”When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.· — Maya Angelou Dear friend, Thank you for your participation in the International Women’s Club of Sofia’s 21st Annual Charity Bazaar. What a fantastic event I have been blessed to be part of! Through your hard work, your generosity and your dedication, we have raised the second largest amount of money in our history. When the final few donations are received, we will have raised over 335,000 Bulgarian Leva.

efforts. To the IWC Board, the Stallholders and Volunteers, thank you for caring about the Bulgarian people who will benefit from our efforts.

There are so many people who made this event possible; I wish to offer special thanks to the IWC Office Staff, your assistance has been invaluable. I could not have done this without you. To the Treasury Team, you counted, sorted and bundled while under enormous pressure to “Hurry Up”! Thank you for all your

Warm wishes,

I wish you all a happy prosperous 2016 and look forward to working with you next year for our 22nd Annual Charity Bazaar.

Kelsa L. Smith-Mouskourova International Women’s Club of Sofia Treasurer 2015-2016 Austria Belgium Bulgaria 3% 4% 5% Cyprus 3% France 5% Germany 4%

Below 5,000 20%

Charity Stalls Other Stalls IWC Stalls 5% 1% 10% Turkey 11% Great Britain 4% Country Stalls 84%

COUNTRY Bazaar Day:

Greece 9%

Poland 4% Nordic 7%

The Netherlands 4%

Lebanon 4%

Italy 10%

Ireland 2% Israel 3%

MONETARY DONATIONS & POST SALES 189 861,65

As of: Jan 15, 2016

IWC STALLS

99 836,64 CHARITY STALLS

Book Stall British Council Clothes & Bric-a-brac International Bake Sale IWC Stall Patchwork Photos w/Santa Tombola

2 252,90 13 739,00 4 602,00 702,00 1 052,85 375,80 345,00 2 923,00

Sub Total:

25 992,55

OTHER STALLS Bulgarian-Moroccan Association Sofia Municipality Stall Wondergroup (2 Stalls)

2 058,00 820,00 192,00

Sub Total:

3 070,00

Cedar Foundation Children w/ONCO Diseases Down Syndrome Parent Association Karin Dom Light for Life Pink Foundation Rojdestvo Hristovo Foundation Smile of Bulgaria Star of Hope Tabitha The Refugee Project Sub Total:

1 116,00 1 296,00 372,00 491,92 482,00 700,00 8 902,02 573,10 416,20 590,00 979,55 15 918,79

TOP 5 STALLS Turkey Italy Greece Nordic Bulgaria

GRAND TOTAL 334 679,63 BGN 5

City Hotel & Spa Kavala

Beach Resort & Spa

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Thassos

Dear Donors and Partners, Now in existence for over 26 years, The Charity Foundation of the International Women’s Club continues to strive to expand the diversity of programmes and offerings to the community. It is our mission to assist Bulgarian groups and institutions to more effectively meet the needs of the most marginalised populations in the country, especially, but not exclusively, women, the elderly, children deprived of parental care, those who are mentally or physically disabled and ethnic minorities.

In order to meet our mission and provide services to our community, we rely on the generosity of individuals and businesses for support.

Without the assistance of community-minded individuals just like you, we wouldn’t be able to serve people in our community each year.

Over the recent years the activities of the IWC foundation increased significantly, one indicator of which is the increased number of projects that are funded by the club, and the acceptance of proposals from first-time applicants, with whom the IWC has not worked before.

The Foundation continues to support projects in the fields in which it has determined the greatest need such as: • • • • •

Emergency level assistance Support to disabled people Social integration of orphans and children deprived of parental care Women’s issues Equal access to education, educational and training needs

In response to the constantly changing socio-business environment and seeking sustainability and maximal impact of its activities, the

Charity Foundation of IWC continues its transformation through applying best practices as well as improving the internal and external processes of work.

As an example of this, since 2016 the Charity Foundation adopted a new application procedure of funds allocation in order to respond more adequately to an increased amount of requests. At the same time the new procedure will be another step towards reinforcing the trust and good standing which our organisation has built over more than two decades.

In 2015 the Charity team has laid another important foundation – a partnership between the IWC-Sofia and the State Agency for Child Protection. The two organisations decided to collaborate on project monitoring and accurate information exchange.

In conclusion it can be pointed out that the Charity Foundation continues to be a preferred and reliable partner, thanks to its financial transparency and its sustainability.

On the behalf of the IWC Charity Foundation I would like to thank you for your generous support!

Together we can help good causes grow!

Sincerely, Maria Ilieva, MBA IWC Charity Chairperson 2015-2016

2015 Charitable Contributions Emergency Level Assistance Support to Disabled People Social Integration of Orphan Teenagers Equal Access to Education & Training Women's Issues Total Contributions

22,42% 19,95% 21,75% 26,72% 9,17%

70 596,00 62 801,47 68 472,56 84 140,00 28 862,02 314 872,05 BGN

9%

Emergency Level Assistance

22%

Support to Disabled People

27% 20% 22%

Social Integration of Orphan Teenagers Equal Access to Education & Training Women’s Issues

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The Soup Kitchen project – a continuous success The charitable project Soup Kitchen started in 2002 on the initiative of the staff of BNP Paribas S.A. – Sofia Branch and in cooperation with Sofia Municipality.

permanent control of the collected funds guarantees they are used exclusively to support the less fortunate.

The project consists of daily provision of warm lunch (soup and bread) to elderly and poor citizens in different districts throughout Sofia every winter workday for 4 months (during the period 1st Dec - 31st March).

Eligible beneficiaries are individuals above 65 years of age with insufficient funds to provide themselves with food during the winter season as well as single parents with children and disabled people who are in extremely vulnerable social situation.

The project started with 150 beneficiaries.

During the winter season 2015/2016 the Foundation will ensure the warm meals to 1350 people per day in Sofia and to another 400 beneficiaries in two Soup Kitchen centers in the city of Varna.

The project is financed through the donations of Foundation BNP Paribas (France), BNP Paribas S.A. – Sofia Branch and its employees and with the valuable support of long terms partners, such as the International Women’s Club.

Meal distribution is handled in cooperation with Sofia Municipality, through the centers of the municipal company Social Patronage, which provides the necessary cooking & distribution facilities and staff. The

The initiative has a proven success and is an indicator for stability over the years. The project is recognised by the Bulgaria business community: in 2006 it won first prize in the category ”Investor in the community· from the BBLF. In 2009 the project received the Innovation award of BNP Paribas for corporate social responsibility. At the end of 2014 Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria received The Inner Good prize by Sofia Municipality for its longstanding commitment to disadvantaged people in Bulgaria.

Christina Tcholakova BNP Paribas

A beacon of hope for refugee children

2016 was an incredible year for the Refugee Project – over the course of the year more than 100 volunteers delivered language lessons and a whole range of creative and sporting activities with the support of the International Women’s Club. For the asylum seeker and refugee children and adults living in Sofia’s reception centres, these activities are an opportunity to learn something new, provide daily routine, and help them to make friends.

were recognised in December by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee’s Human of the Year awards.

Our volunteers offer a warm welcome to all refugees and asylum seekers living in these centres and we were delighted that their efforts

Zoe Holliday The Refugee Project

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Thank you to the International Women’s Club for their ongoing support, and to every one of you who came to visit our stall at our bazaar and supported us.

More than 14 000 women express their gratitude According to the National Cancer Registry, breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. This type of tumors represent a quarter of all cancer in women, followed by cancer of the genitals, skin and thyroid cancers. Unfortunately the trend is going upward, their number is constantly growing. The diagnosis of cancer today, however, does not necessarily lead to a bad outcome. Breast cancer is curable in over 97% of cases providing it has been discovered at an early stage. One of the main causes of this disease is lack of health education and prevention.

Therefore the CPRH (Centre for Protection of the Right to Health) has been directing its continuous efforts for a number of years towards the implementation of preventive screening of breast cancer in small communities and remote towns and villages that are located far away from larger hospitals. The procedure includes clinical examination, ultrasound and mammography (if necessary) conducted by mammary-endocrinology specialists.

After these first examinations, all women who need to be referred for further screenings and treatment are directed to various university hospitals in Sofia. Apart from the examinations we also

provide information in the form of brochures with instructions for self-monitoring and self-assessment for signs of cancer. The campaign aims not only to perform free examinations, but also to create attitudes in women, that the disease is curable, as long as they themselves are proactive in self examination and in seeking medical attention even at the slightest doubt. For the past four years we have examined more than 14 000 women from 70 towns and villages in Bulgaria. Over 100 women were diagnosed with cancer or were directed for biopsy, while cysts or adenomas were found in further 589 women.

Thanks to donations from the International Women’s Club-Sofia examinations are completely free for all who wish to be examined.

On behalf of the whole team and on behalf of all women who have received prophylactic examination for breast cancer, I express our deepest gratitude to all donors!

Angelina Boneva Centre for Protection of the Right to Health

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Integrating orphans into society Foundation Agapedia Bulgaria was founded in 2001, almost 15 years ago, when we started working with orphans, abandoned children, and children whose parents were unable to fulfill their parental obligations.

At present, we work with approximately 39 orphans and disadvantaged young people between the ages of 7 and 22, in our Sofia programmes.

Depending on when they joined our programme, children could be involved with us between one and five years. Since our beginning, over 250 youths have participated in our programmes in one aspect or another. Now 90% of the students who have completed our programme are living independently and have full-time jobs.

Our experience has shown us that children who don’t grow up in the orphanage have a much better chance for a healthy development.

Therefore, our Family Type Center is designed to provide children with an environment that feels like home. This gives children from ages 7 to 18 the opportunity to operate according to their full potential and gives them consistent role models to imitate as they grow up. At present we take care of 10 kids at the age of 10 to 16 years.

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Student and Professional Training Program We offer students the possibility to continue their education in two different ways after they graduate from high school. If they qualify, we encourage them to apply and enroll at university. Others, we encourage to develop their natural talents in specific areas through professional training courses, such as courses in the culinary arts, professional driving, or hairdressing.

Currently we support four students at two different universities. These young people live in students’ dormitories and with our financial help, consultations and support they grow as individuals and become strong and independent people. Up to 2015 we have helped more than 20 students to graduate who are currently at work or continuing their education on Master degree courses.

Some of the universities where our young people study are: Sofia University, Medical University, Technical University, National Sports Academy and others.

Ivan Ivanov Agapedia

The Association of Parents of Children with Down Syndrome is the only legitimate non-profit Down Syndrome organisation in Bulgaria The association was founded in 2009 and represents children and adults with this most common of all genetic abnormalities and promotes the idea that they are an integral part of the lives of all people in society and have the right to be respected and loved. As a parent organisation of children with Down Syndrome, our main objective is to remove negative stereotypes, overcome prejudices and refute the myths embedded in society about the possibilities and specifics of people with the syndrome. In recent years, we have worked hard, entirely on a voluntary and charity basis, to improve the treatment and acceptance of our children by fostering a positive image of them in society through information and education campaigns. One of these is our original calendar with professional photo shoots featuring Down Syndrome children together with popular, loved personalities in Bulgaria. With joy and pride we can attest that our educational campaigns really have changed attitudes and have succeeded in informing people about the abilities, talents, successes, achievements, and real potential for development of our children, so that they can have a good future.

Down syndrome is not a disease but a complex genetic condition that is due to an extra chromosome in the 21st chromosome pair. People with this syndrome have in their karyotype 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. One out of every 700 newborns has the syndrome, a frequency that is the same in all countries, all races and all social groups. About 100 children per year are born in Bulgaria with this genetic abnormality.

The annual summer camp of the Down Syndrome parent association, supported in 2015 by the IWC, started three years ago, when in July 2013 a national meeting for our families was organised in Pamporovo for the first time. We invited speakers who could help us with appropriate, specialized information in the rearing of our special children. The camp proved to be an amazing place that unites and inspires a desire for change – a forum that turns us into a community with self-esteem and confidence. We are happy that it turned into a tradition parents greatly look forward to and that brings great joy to the children.

Tony Marinova APCDS

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Access to quality education with Teach for Bulgaria For the past 5 years, Teach For Bulgaria has worked to ensure equal access to quality education for every child in Bulgaria. To do so, the organisation recruits, selects, trains, and supports highly motivated individuals to become certified teachers in some of the country’s most underprivileged areas. The first group of teachers, numbering only 21, entered the classroom in the autumn of 2011, and reached nearly 3,000 students. Since then, 175 teachers have aided the development of over 13,000 students across eight regions in Bulgaria. Each of them focuses on skills-building, raising self-awareness, and inspiring students to view learning as an opportunity for growth, rather than a mandatory chore.

International Women’s Club in Sofia has been supporting Teach For Bulgaria work for two consecutive years. In 2014/2015 school year two Teach For Bulgaria teachers were directly supported by an IWC grant. Petar Velkov is one these teachers. He works with second

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graders in High School №15 in Sofia. One of the most significant accomplishments of Petar Velkov’s class was participating in the conference “Education: for the success of every child”, organised by the American College. During the conference, Petar’s second graders prepared and ran a workshop for 30 people, ages 20-50 years old, focused on developing a business plan. The students explained the skills and steps needed to create a good quality business plan, and discusses financial literacy concepts such as credit, why paying taxes is important, and what is the difference between a goal and a dream. The workshop was an excellent opportunity for the students to showcase knowledge from the ‘entrepreneurship and financial literacy’ lessons, and the skills they have developed: teamwork, presentation, and organisation.

Anelia Todorova Teach for Bulgaria

Tickets advance sales – joy and fair play Dear ladies and friends, I would like to give a big thank you to each one of you who supported the 2015 bazaar tickets pre-sales.

This task requires that many people get involved in order to be successful.

And this year it really was!

It also appeared to me as a special kind of “enthusiasm marker”, during the last month of preparation for our Christmas bazaar.

I am pleased to inform this year we even set a new record, raising the amount of 5 869 levas in just one month. More than 1 900 tickets sold in advance!

All results were achieved with joy and fairplay (rules being followed 95%), so thank you very much indeed for your participation!

Sincerely, Nara Vasconcelos 2015 Bazaar Team / Advanced Tickets Sales

Participating stalls in the 2015 IWC Charity Bazaar Cuba First of all, I would like to thank the organisers of the Bazaar for the support received for our participation in this important event. From my personal experience, it has been my first participation as Stallholder, that´s why I appreciate very much the extent of the information provided and the understanding. I am very satisfied with the coordination and organisation of the IWC Annual Bazaar 2015.

I had a very interesting experience as Consul and wife of the Ambassador of Cuba, Mr. Pedro Pablo San Jorge during our first year in Bulgaria.

The Bazaar gives the chance to both visitors and participants alike, to know the culture, the gastronomy and handicrafts from different countries. Also, it was very exciting to see throughout the day the cultural performances of different countries and how each nation shows its traditional cuisine and products.

From our side, we had the opportunity to show at our stand some of the most famous products that distinguish Cuba worldwide: cigars, different types of rums, like Havana Club, Santiago de Cuba and Legendario, to offer Mojitos , our best known drinks, the Cuban food and of course, our music, all of them well known in Bulgaria.

Cuba also offered to the participants the performance of some Cuban dancers who are very well known in Bulgaria, and who presented their art and our traditional music to all the people attending the Bazaar, including representatives of other stalls.

Furthermore, our participation at the Bazaar was a great opportunity to promote our country as a marvelous tourist destination in the Caribbean.

We are sure that this will not be our last involvement because of our big motivation to attend was our contribution towards the humanitarian causes that lie at the roots of this event. It was a pleasure to contribute to the health and welfare of the children of this beautiful country and its people, which have been connected with Cuba for more than 55 years with ties of friendship and brotherhood.

Niurka de la O Cónsul Embajada de Cuba en Bulgaria

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Indonesia As one of the participants, we consider the IWC Annual Charity Bazaar to be a very important event and a wonderful experience.

Despite its charity fundraising nature, the bazaar also successfully serves as the event where the international community in Sofia may introduce the specialties of their national products, traditional cuisine, cultural performances of dancers, musicians and singers. Pieces of the world merged into one big activity and the event successfully emerged as the largest social solidarity event for the support of people in need.

This series of success is possible also because of the spirit of professionalism and partnership between the organisers and the stallholders who work as one big family.

Warmest regards, Vivi Patricia Indonesia

Nordics

Or so it seems…. 

My husband and I arrived in Sofia in November last year and visited the IWC Charity Bazaar in December 2014 as newcomers, and were totally unprepared for the size of it, the atmosphere, the noise and all the wonderful smells. I knew then already that the Embassy of Denmark would for sure participate again in 2015.

I am fully aware of how much work is being done behind the scene and hereby give my deepest respect to the IWC team. Thank you for making it easy for us!

Then I will mention that we managed to find this fantastic group of Donors - both Bulgarian and Danish Companies represented in Bulgaria, who contributed generously with both money, goods and volunteers.

Last but not least warm thoughts to the Embassy staff (also from the other Nordic countries) who was excited to participate and to support us in every way they can. They really are good sports, volunteering happily both before the Bazaar, during the whole day of the Bazaar and tidying up after.

Being a first-timer at planning for and setting up a stall at the yearly fundraising Bazaar has been an amazing experience.

First of all I was so impressed over the fact that it’s possible to arrange such a big event with just a few meetings and practically no discussions. If one listens, writes down and does what’s being said out loud and told in the ”guide” and emails, it just works!

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It is almost unreal that everything went so well and I am truly grateful for all our joint work and efforts.

From the Danish side we are already discussing what we can do better next year, so keep it up IWC !

Pia Konigsfeldt Denmark

Palestine Dear organisers and participants in Charity Bazaar 2015, I would like to thank all those who have filled this day with plenty of joy, inspiration and true festive mood.

I am happy that we succeeded in such special way to show our support to a great cause – to instill hope and love.

The Embassy of Palestine in Bulgaria par ticipated again this year with its own stand, showcasing an abundance of Palestinian food and performances of the Group of National Ar t and Dance ”Jerusalem·, which, hopefully, was able to take you,

although briefly, to the beautiful world of our ancient cultural traditions.

On the eve of the bright and blessed Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, when the miracle of goodness illuminates the sky above us, we wish you all a very happy 2016, may all your dreams come true and let it remain in our hearts as the year we won’t forget!

Dr. Ahmed Al Madbuh Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine in Bulgaria

Germany Dear Friends, Over the long years of its existence, the Christmas Bazaar in Sofia has established itself greatly as an institution for the IWC. When I got acquainted for the first time with the Christmas Bazaar, I was also quite busy with my four children. For this reason, I decided to just bake our typical German Christstollen, which is one of the symbols of our Christmas tradition. I had a great time and enjoyed a big success the Christstollen was sold out in just two hours! In the following years, I usually took care of the Christstollen for the German stall during the Bazaar.

In the meantime my children got older and of course I had more time at my disposal and many nice opportunities opened up – meeting friends, visiting museums and other interesting places, learning a new language....

Then, my predecessor who organised the German stall announced that she wasn’t able to continue her involvement. Because of this I got the great chance of helping other people and getting more fully involved in a good cause. I knew that it would be a very satisfying experience to be able to work towards supporting charities, which are helping people in need.

Being part of a big community, driven by the idea of serving, became the driving force for me for weeks on end. I would like to use this opportunity

to say a big THANK YOU to the German Ambassador and the German Embassy, to all our sponsors and supporters, who helped make our stall such a big success! I am really looking forward to next year and wish you all a very good time and a happy New year!

Eva Kreuzer Stallholder of the German stall, 2015

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Algeria

Argentina

Austria

Belgium

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Bulgaria

Bulgarian-Moroccan Association

China

Colombia

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Cyprus

France

Georgia

Great Britain

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Greece

India

Iran Iraq

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Ireland Israel

Italy

Japan

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Korea

Lebanon

Lithuania

Mexico & Dominican Republic

Moldova

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Morocco

Netherlands

Pakistan

Philipines

Poland

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Russia

Seychelles

South Africa

Sudan

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Switzerland

Syria

Turkey

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Ukraine

USA

Venezuela

Vietnam

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Cedar Foundation

Down Syndrome Association & Oncohematology Association

Karin dom

Pink Rojdestvo Hristovo Foundation Smile Foundation

Star of Hope

Tabitha

The Refugee Project UNHCR

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Light for Life

Bake stall

Books Cooking workshops

IWC & Tombola

Photos with Santa

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Patchwork

Sofia Municipality

Toys and bric-a-brack

Stage

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Donors list 10X 40 years Zorbas the Greek 90th Secondary school ”Gen. José de San Martín· ABB ABC Hotel Thessaloniki Absolut Vodka Ace Lawyers Afrodita Medical Center Aidos Air Kona Airotel AK Akritas Alcomet Alias Group Allied Pickfords Alltrak Transport Alpha Bank Altınbaş Diamond America for Bulgaria Foundation AMS International Andarta Angeliki Greek Taverna Antoaneta Bebenova Aphrodite Delights Artdesign As Sat Asante Ased Design Asya Alexandrova Attica Media Aurubis Bulgaria Austrian Airlines Austrian Trade Avendi (Efes Beer) Aviation Services Avrasia Restaurant Axxon Bulgaria Backaldrin Baileys Bakalya Balkantex Bar Dak Bauhaus Beauty Face Salon Beers BG Belfabriek (Aidos, Callfactory) Bella Bulgaria Belsma Group Belvedere Berezka

Best Foods Best Western Hotel Expo BHTC (Behr-Hella Thermocontrol) Bias M Bibendum Billa Bilot (Intralot) Bioderma BIZ Association Black Sea Technology Company BNP Paribas BNR BNT Bourgas Tug Service (Multraship) Brazilia Restaurant British Council Bulgaria Engineering Bulgaria Tango Bulgarian Headhunters Bulgarian National Chamber of Wine Producers Bulgarimmo Bulgarisches Wirtschaftsblatt Bulged Bulstrad Vienna Insurance Group Business Park Sofia Byzantine Icons Call Factory Carlsberg Caroline Biss Casyopea Celestial Cruises Centralni Hali Charalambos Coffee Chipita Bulgaria Chocolate house Valentino CiBank City Hotel Classic FM Coca Cola HBC Bulgaria Como Convoy Cosmopolitan Magazine Costa Coffee Crosstrade Balkan Cumayata Cypbul Dais Darik Radio Del Sol Delivery Express Delta Textile Bulgaria

Deutsch-Bulgarische Industrieund Handelskammer Devorex Diamond Die Alte Lampe Restaurant Divo Pivo Djenny DM Dodoni Dohos Hotel Dolls Art House Dolna Banya (Byala Voda) Domestina Dori Lux Douwe Egberts Dr Gerard Dr Mitko Vassilev Dream Up Dunkin Donuts DZI Easy Trade 1 (Sano) Ecoterra Ecovita Edenred EDESOB (Edirne Trade Association) Edirne Chamber of Commerce (Edirne Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası) Edirne Commodity Exchange (Edirne Ticaret Borsası) Edirne Municipality (Edirne Belediye Başkanlığı) Edoardo Miroglio EDSİAD (Edirne Association of Business and Industry) Egmont Egnatia Egnatia City Hotel Eko Bulgaria Ekopack Ekselans Elena Misheva Ellencheto Elopar Emir English Home ETİ Biscuits Euphoria Club Hotel Euro Cinema Eurolink Investment Euromaster

Events in Bulgaria Famous Wine Fayad Fight and Flow Sports Hall First Estates Fivepi Flocafe Fly into Dance Frea Axpo Frey Wille Funtopia G8 Cultural Centre Gabolin Galbo GB Invest GCF Gefco Gelateria Confetti GiGi Cosmetics Glarus Kraft Trading Global Textile Group Gold Oil Governorship of Edirne (Edirne Valiliği) Green Cat Gallery GTT Guinness Haribo Harley Davidson Has Turizm HBCB Hermani Hit Holiday Inn Thessaloniki Home Decoration Hotel Les Fleurs Hrankoop HRC Culinary Academy Hubavi Momenti IEC Ikea ING Inglot Cosmetics (Borma) Inko Foods Intercatering Interfoods Bulgaria Internations Intracom Irini Isbank Ishy Italbul Shoes 31

Jameson Jazz FM Jeep Jim Beam Jo Van Kahve Dükkanı Kaliakria Resort Kaliman Caribe Kammarton Kanaal Kavaklıdere Wines (Geslin) Kiddo Klas Olio Kocaeli Chamber of Commerce Koprina Korres (Greenary) Kostas (Sweet Bakery) Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi Kwiat La Fabrica della Stampa Laico Cosmos Trading Laokoon Tango Lavazza Lazy LC Waikiki Le Gourmet de Paris Lebanese Association Lechitel Legia L’Etranger Restaurant Liberty Food Lindt Livian Lufthansa M3 Communications Group Macland Travel Maersk Bulgaria Marabu Matti-d Maxima Bulgaria (T-Market) MBM Metalwork Med Tour Meks Melbon S.A. Metro Cash & Carry Miro & Stani Montex Swiss Mosty Mouzenidis Travel Mеmento (Blender) National Geographic Magazine Natural Food Natural Forever Metal Nestle Nitex 50

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Nivea-Beiersdorf Nobel International Nobel Pharma Notos Galleries Novo Ege Novo Nordisk Novotel Hotels Nursan Otomotiv Odeon Cinema Ofelia Kirkorian-Tsonkova Olympos 99 Ömer Lutfi Kultur Dernegi Orbit Orenda Orsetti Oxette Pain d’or Palirria Panchim Park Inn Perfectup Peroform Rial Isceyt Peuterey Philips Piccadilly Plastic Platinum Brands Porsche BG Postbank Premier Cosmetics Premier Mountain Resort Primavera Princess Hotel Printamax PTM Puratos Purple Print Quadrant Beverages (Pepsi, Prisun) Radi Stambolov Master Chef & Chocolatier RBSF (Cama Mia, Minene) Regnum Hotel Report.BG Richesse Right Rental Riu Pravets Golf and Spa Resort Roobar Royal Paradise Hotel RSR Sadat (Sars) Şahinler Bulgaria Sanitex Sanofi Aventis Sanoma Bliasak (Elle, Harper’s

Bazaar, National Geographic, Rozali, Jurnal za Jenata, Story) Santa Fe Relocation Santel Bausysteme Scanclean Schenker Schoenher Sea of Life Sea of silver and gold Selected Brands (Plomari+Metaxa) Seni Sense Hotel Sentera Thracia Sestante Seven Days Sheepka 99 Shell Si Commercial Sienit Sika Bulgaria Silvia Spasova Sis Industries (Cycle) Sitovo Dairy SKF Smart Business Solutions Smart Energy Group Society for Cultural Relations with Turkey Sofia Airport Sofia Hotel Balkan Sofia in your pocket Sofia Municipality Sofia Philharmonic Sofia South Ring Mall Sofia Tango Sofia Theater Sofiiska Voda (Veolia) Sofra Restaurant Sogelife Solvay Sodi Soroptimist Spa 26 Boutique Special Events Group Spice House Restaurant Sportika SPR Holding St Sofia Ladies Club Staco Stefanel Stella Artois (Kamenitza) Sudamerica Sun Beach Hotel Swarovski SwissTime Co.

T&M Restaurant T&S Trading Talents Sofia Restaurant Tango & Pepper Studio Tango BG Tchibo Teahouse Sofia Tekno Aktas Terna The Med Restaurant The Met Hotel Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Hotel Association THY (Turkish Airlines) Timeart.bg TNT Trakia Glass Bulgaria Trakya University Transimport Treasure Triamvos Trisa Tschibo Turan 61 Turkish-Bulgarian Women’s Friendship Association Tymbark (Queen’s) Tyrbul Unicredit Bulbank United Milk Company (Vereya) Uwekind AHK Vagabond Vandergeeten Velmar Vergina Hotel Thessaloniki Vernada Vertical Dimension Vetrocity Villa Yustina V-Komerc (Electrolux) Vobro Volkan Beer Volvo Weihenstephan Wonder Group Yamas Yeni Raki Yoga Style Yomax (Dat’s Pastry) Zagorka (Heineken) Zagreus Zenon BG Zeus Hotel Management Ziraat Bank

Photos taken by Katarzhyna Lason, Paraskeva Georgieva, Mihaela Dobre, Borislav Novakov, Ivo Mouskurov, Raina Delcheva, Raquel Arevalo, Sory Jan Almonacid, Gergana Dimitrova, Elisabeth Kostadinov-Huber. Cover photo by Katarzhyna Lason. Concept and editing by Elitsa Lingorski. Layout and printing by Vezni Ltd.

The International Women’s Club of Sofia (IWC) is a non-profit organization with the following objectives: Welcoming and assisting newcomers to Bulgaria, furthering our knowledge and understanding of Bulgaria, fostering goodwill and friendship among club members, and giving financial and material support to charity projects.

Website: www.iwc-sofia.org E-mail: office@iwc-sofia.org Tel.: (02) 9516117