Summer NL 2016 Final

The International Women Club of Moscow
www.iwcmoscow.ru
SUMMER 2016
newsletter
The 2016 IWC WINTER BAZAAR
The EMBASSIES DINNER and BALL
MOSCOW INFO
IWC CHARITIES
OUT AND ABOUT
CONTENTS
CONTACTS
As always, we wan to hear from you! The IWC is
here for all of us, and we want to know how we
are doing, and what we can do better. Please
send us your comments.
General Inquiries
iwcgeneralofficer@gmail.com
Membership
iwcmembership@gmail.com
Interest Groups
iwcigmoscow@yahoo.com
Donations Office
iwcdonations@yahoo.com
Public Relations
iwcmoscowpr@gmail.com
IWC Newsletter
Iwcm.news@gmail.com
IWC Partnership
PAGE 1
IWC Moscow President’s Letter
PAGE 2
Note from the NL Team
PAGE 3
Meet & Greet and Coffee Mornings
PAGE 4
Save the Date: IWC Winter Bazaar 2016
PAGE 5 & 6
Review IWC Meet & Greet
PAGE 7
Review IWC Professional Women’s evenings
PAGE 8
Summer Trips 2016
PAGE 9
IWC Inside the Club
PAGE 10
Interest Group in the Spotlight
PAGE 11
Out and About
PAGE 12
Moscow Info: Yakutia
PAGE 13
Moscow Info: Russian National Library
PAGE 14
Summer Interest Groups
PAGE 15 & 16
MH MPC Interview
PAGE 17
Embassies Dinner and Butterfly Ball 2016
PAGE 18
Special Thanks
PAGE 19 & 20
IWC Partners
iwcsponsorship@gmail.com
CREDITS
The international Women’s Club of Moscow
Newsletter is published four times a year, and
distributed at general meetings, coffee
mornings, emailed to our members and posted
on our IWC website.
We welcome your ideas, contributions and own
photographs to make our Newsletter more
interesting. The deadline for submissions to the
Autumn issue is 15th of August 2016.
Editor-in-Chief:
Mireille Vrouenraets
Layout Design
Maria Ostrowski
Writers:
Mirjam Severin, Wendy Soucy,
Tenny Tresnawaty, Birgit Schmeitzner,
Maria Valero, Bianca Turtur
and Sona Lasikova
COME AND JOIN US!
Vacancies available
The IWC operates by the effort and love of it’s volunteers. If you
would like to work with international group, improve the
conditions of underprivileged Russians, and gain job
experience, this is the place for you. We have positions open on
the Steering Committee.
Recording Officer
NL Assistant
Charity Co-chair
Treasurer Assistant
Interest Groups Assistant
Winter Bazaar Chair
EDB Chair
PWE assistant (Non SC member)
M&G Assistant
Start your adventure now, email us!
iwcgeneralofficer@gmail.com
A full list of positions available and a description of the
responsibilities, is available on the IWC website:
www.iwcmoscow.ru
The President’s Letter
Dearest Ladies,
Since becoming the President of the
International Women’s Club Moscow, I can’t
help but think what a wonderful gift I have
received. We are a very different organisation
today than it was in the beginning, one that
reflects the changing world we live in. Yet many
things remain the same. There are still interest
groups, great trips, wonderful lunches, speakers
and of course, our Charity Fund.
We are an organisation of vibrant talented
women with many varied backgrounds. There
are so many things we still want to learn and do
and in fact are doing them. I have ladies in my life today who I met through this Club and they have
become my dearest friends.
I appreciate every one of you and hope that I will get to meet those that I have not yet
personally had the privilege of getting to know. Find me at one of our many events, tell me
about yourself and what you love about the Club and what you would like to see us do better.
We need your feedback.
"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and
the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the
fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.“
Have a wonderful summer!
Victoria Šeligo
Mireille Vrouenraets
Newsletter Editor-in-Chief
Dear readers,
After a long and successful IWC season in Moscow we are
looking forward to a relaxing and enjoyable summer. In this
final Newsletter of the season you will find reviews of many
of our activities, interviews with interesting IWC members
and stories about amazing trips.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our former
NL Team members Bianca Jutaru and Therese Plappart very
warmly for their hard work for the NL team. They both
have made many beautiful and interesting Monthly
Bulletins and Newsletters. We will miss their dedication
and enthusiasm very much and wish them all the best for
the future! At the same time we welcome Maria Ostrowsky
and Máire Heffernan to our team. Both ladies have already
started working and we are very happy to have them on
board.
IWC will remain active during the summer months. In this
Newsletter you can find the overview of Interest Groups
that will continue during the summer. And of course you
are very welcome to join us at our summer Coffee
Mornings once a month and we hope that you will
participate in our wonderful Summer Trips! You will find
the practical details in this issue.
After the summer IWC will start with the preparations for
the annual Winter Bazaar. This amazing charity event will
take place on 26 November 2016 in Hotel Radisson
Slavyanskaya. Mark this date in your calendar and please
let us if you would like to help!
We wish you all a happy summer and we are looking
forward to meet you at our opening event, the first Meet
& Greet on 21 September 2016 at the Marriott Hotel,
Novy Arbat, where you can renew your membership and
sign up for any Interest Group.
Your NL Team,
Mireille Vrouenraets (Newsletter Editor)
Maria Ostrowsky (Layout Designer)
Máire Heffernan (Proofreader)
Bianca Turtur (Editor/writer)
iwcm.news@gmail.com
MEET & GREET
On the
Please save the date for our next IWC “Meet & Greet”
of September 2016 at the Hotel Marriott at Novy Arbat Street.
21st
The opening of the season with the opportunity to renew your Membership and
to sign up for the Interest Groups will be on Wednesday the 21st of September
2016 at Hotel Marriott at the Novy Arbat Street, 10.00 – 12.00
SAVE THE DATE!
21st of September – Hotel Marriott at Novy Arbat Street
COFFEE MORNINGS
Existing members and newcomers are cordially invited to our Coffee
Mornings – which are held twice a month at: Le Pain Quotidien
on Bolshaya Sadovaya 2/46 from 10:00 – 12:00 noon (M. Mayakovskaya or
Barrikadnaya)
There will be free coffee, tea, snacks courtesy of Le Pain Quotidien and IWC.
It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends, relax and maybe have lunch
together afterwards.
Upcoming Coffee Morning Dates:
4th and 14th of June
12th of July and 9th of August
13th of September 2016
IWC Winter Bazaar
We will start with the preparations
for the annual charity Winter Bazaar very soon.
This amazing charity event will take place on 26 November 2016
in Hotel Radisson Slavyanskaya. Mark this date in your calendar
and please let us if you would like to help!
Review February Meet & Greet
Review January Meet & Greet
We have had an exciting, fun filled morning on January
28 at the wonderful Slovenian Embassy. We had an
opportunity to learn more about the country and
culture of Slovenia and we enjoyed one of our very
own interest groups, the Bollywood Dance Group, as
they performed a short dance program. In addition to
this live entertainment all the guests could also explore
and shop with one of our unique and creative
sponsors, Asian Spirit.
Our February Meet and Greet was held at the
beautiful, historical Metropol Hotel on
February 25. Our members and guests were
able to reconnect with old friends, bond with
new members and explore and meet the
leaders of over 45 different interest groups.
In this wonderful atmosphere,
participants enjoyed a dance performance
from our very own Ceilidh Dancing group,
exciting raffle drawings, and of course,
refreshments with delicious pastries and fruit.
We expressed our sincere gratitude to the
excellent staff and management team of the
Metropol hotel for their continued support
for our club and its charities. Two lucky ladies
won the hotel's generous gift vouchers for
breakfast for four and a free three month
membership at their fitness/spa club.
Because of these wonderful donations and
thanks to everyone who purchased raffle
tickets our charities group was able to raise
about 45,000.00ru - a sum that goes directly
to our charities! Thank you for coming out
and not only supporting each other but our
community as well!
Review March Meet & Greet
On March 17, we held yet another successful Meet
and Greet at the exciting gallery -EXPOSED - A
Space for Art. Members and guests thoroughly
enjoyed the new venue which offered a variety of
exhibitions by different artists and unique
showcases. Guests relished in a fabulous
catered menu with sandwiches, fresh fruit and
pastries. We also had a special guest speaker from
one of our charities called " Big Change." Elena
enlightened all of us about the program as well as
the impact that the IWC has with all our
fundraising efforts to support this charity. This was
a particularly touching presentation, hardly a dry
eye in the house. This event was also a great
opportunity to purchase your Embassy Dinner and
Ball tickets and meet new members.
Thank you Art Exposed for hosting us and
providing us with warm hospitality, and thank you
to those who continue to support our charities!
Review April Meet & Greet
We had another wonderful
morning at the Romanian
Embassy for our Meet and
Greet on April 14. For the
second year in a row, we
enjoyed an interesting
presentation about Romania,
we tasted delicious
Romanian food and were
offered tasty Romanian
wines. We also enjoyed
seeing examples or
traditional Romanian
costumes and art.
The Romanian ambassador,
His Excellency Mr. Vasile
Soare, and his wife, Mrs.
Cecilia Soare, again
welcomed us with gracious
hospitality and generosity. It
was a warm and fun morning
for all of those who
attended.
2016 started with a change of venue for the
Professional Women’s evenings: we were
welcomed by Cécile Rogue in Malaya
Molchanovka, 6. L’école d’art is a very nice
venue where we also can admire artwork
from different artists. Unfortunely our
January meeting got cancelled at the last
moment because our speaker Victoria
Panova, a popular professor of international
relations at MGIMO University was
hospitalized. We know she is well again and
she changed jobs.
In February we enjoyed a great presentation
from Svetlana Malyuk, country manager
Russia for TAL aviation group. She started
working on a very young age and she told her
life and work story in a very inspiring way.
She left her audience with plenty to think
about!
In March Anna Nikina, Head of International
Projects at Skolkovo Innovation Center, was
our talented guest speaker. Her quote:” A girl
should be two things: who and what she
wants” resumes her personality and
wonderful presentation.
In April another excellent Professional Women's
evening took place with Pascale Bazire,
photographer, as our guest speaker. She
explained how not to get lost in change by
seizing an opportunity and a lot of learning,
practice and discipline. Please take a look at her
website: www.pascalebazire.com
We like to thank Cécile for her hospitality.
Everyone is welcome to join our evenings which
will take place in general on a Monday evening
at 19.00. If you like to receive the monthly
invitation please send me an email to
iwcpwe@gmail.com.
On the IWC Facebook page you also can find the
invitation but please use the link to register!
Looking forward to see you at the next IWC
Professional Women’s evening!
Mirjam Severin
This is a great opportunity to
get out of the city center and a
chance to meet other ladies
experiencing the joys of expat
life in Moscow.
Together with the American
Women’s Organization and the
British Women’s Club, IWC will be
organizing daytrips for our
members during the summer
months. These trips to interesting
towns, estates and monasteries
surrounding Moscow will be led
by a professional guide.
The trips take place once a week,
usually on a Thursday. You must
sign up to receive the weekly
email which will detail each trip
and to which you will respond if
you wish to attend. That email
address is:
daysoutinmoscow@gmail.com
The trips usually depart in the
morning, around 9am
(depending upon our
destination) and we are
usually back in Moscow by
4pm - traffic notwithstanding.
We leave and return to the
Starlite Diner at
Mayakovskaya.
Right now all you have to do is
reply to the
daysoutinmoscow@gmail.com
email to get on the mailing list.
You will then receive
information regarding each
trip. Don't miss this great
opportunity, sign up today and
watch this space for more
information!
Mirjam Severin &
Wendy Soucy.
Ten questions for Wanda Hyde
This spring we had to say good bye to a very active and supportive member of our Club.
After four years Wanda Hyde left Moscow. Many of you may know Wanda as the energetic lady
always busy with charities and the Donations Office and organizing the Scottish Ceilidh Dance
Group. While she was packing for her move she made some time to answer our 10 questions,
looking back at her time at IWC Moscow.
Wanda, when did you arrive in Moscow?
-
April 2012.
What were your first impressions of Moscow?
-
I visited briefly in January 2012. It was minus 15 degrees, sunny, dry and
beautiful - Red Square looked great. And I went to a Burns Supper, and met
the first of my Russian dancing friends.
How did you first get involved in IWC?
-
I went to a General Meeting in May 2012. It was an art exhibition also - very
inspiring.
What has surprised you most about working with IWC?
-
Maybe I should not be surprised, however I have been very impressed by the
dedication of IWC’s committee members and volunteers. Nobody gets paid for
this, but the enthusiasm and professionalism is inspiring.
What’s the best thing that happened since you started
working with IWC?
-
It’s been a great environment for meeting lots of new people from lots of
different countries, and hijacking some of them to join the Ceilidh Dance
Group.
What do you wish other people knew about IWC?
-
I wish that all IWC members realized that they are IWC. If they want something extra to happen, they will be
welcome to get involved themselves.
What do you like to do in your free time (outside IWC)?
-
You mean, apart from Scottish Country Dancing? I love exploring this huge city, and travelling to distant and wild
places outside it.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned living in Moscow?
-
That Russian people are very different from the impression that there compatriots abroad can give, and from the
impression that we can get from the foreign media. Plus the value of dill as an complement to… well, anything.
Will you be able to continue dancing and working for charities in your new place of
living?
-
That depends where on where I end up! But I certainly hope so!
Is there anything you would like to advise newcomers to IWC?
-
Be adventurous: get out and explore this beautiful and interesting city. I am dyslexic and after four years I still
don’t read or speak Russian, but it doesn't hold me back. Use public transport and walk.
Thank you Wanda for answering our 10 questions. We wish you all the best for the future and hope to meet you again,
it’s a small world after all!
By Mireille Vrouenraets
Exploring Moscow's
beautiful parks with
Nordic Walking
One of IWC interest
groups is Nordic
Walking. Nordic walking
(original Finnish
"Sauvakävely") is fitness
walking with specially
designed poles
(Wikipedia).
IWC Nordic Walking is held every
Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00
am to 12:00 noon. The leader is
Helen Forbes. Our qualified
orienteer is Zoya Tikhonova, who is
a lovely, friendly Russian lady who
guides us through different parks
and looks after us very well.
As we all know, Moscow has more
than 100 parks and gardens within
the city limit. Every garden and park
in Moscow is very beautiful and
well taken care of.
Anyone who loves walking in parks
would enjoy the Nordic Walking
group. Every week the group visits
a different park and explores it in
about 2 hours non stop with the
guidance of Zoya.
Please come and join the Nordic
Walking group and enjoy the
beautiful parks in Moscow during
the Spring and Autumn.
Tenny Tresnawaty
Far far away . . .
Some say Yakutia is the kingdom of cold. For
sure, it is one of the most remote corners of
the world. I travelled to Yakutsk (the capital
of the republic) in February to find out how
people manage to survive in the world's
coldest place.
When I arrived it was minus 38C. “Not very
cold“, I was told by locals! “You’ve brought
the heat from Moscow!“ Nevertheless for
me it came as a shock. After a few minutes
outside, the skin on my face began to sting.
I felt some ice forming inside my nose and
the cold air affected my lungs causing me to
cough as a natural reaction. Fortunately,
after a few days I got used to it.
Of course everything depends on proper
clothing. Several layers are a good idea to
insulate your body as well as a balaclava
covering your mouth and nose.
For our awesome dog sledding
tours, we wore additional reindeer
fur coats and trousers which were
a bit smelly but provided
exceptional warmth. And forget
about all those high-tech boots!
Just buy a pair of simple and cheap
Valenki-felt boots made from dried
sheep’s wool. Wearing them, I had
perfectly warm feet, even after
long hikes at minus 40C.
We had the time of our lives there:
great people, great food (the
freshest fish ever!), great nature!
But for sure, you have to be the
sort of adventurer who likes to
push limits.
Birgit Schmeitzner
PS
*************************************
Yakutia is the largest republic in the Russian
Federation, just a bit smaller than India but
not as packed - around one million people live
there. It’s six time zones away from Moscow
and Aeroflot serves YKS once a day (we paid
around R27,000).
We booked the trip via http://visityakutia.com
- highly recommended!
AN EXPERIENCE OF RUSSIAN´S PAST
GALINA DACHA:
Just 60 km outside Moscow
you can find the 600 years
old town of selo Zarechye.
In the 19th century it was an
important centre of the
production of silk fabric.
Indeed, the region was
known
worldwide as one of the best
places to make beautiful
fashion designs with this
material. From the village
fine clothes were sold to the
Tsar, Russian’s nobles and
also to the most prestigious
showrooms in Paris and other
European capitals. But the
Revolution came and the
prosperity of the village
vanished.
Today it is possible to have a
rough idea about life in this
period thanks to Galina
Maslennikova, a descendant
of Ivan Dumnov who was one
of the pioneers and main
producers of this textile. With
a great effort she restored
the 19th century estate of her
family and now she offers the
possibility to people to get to
know this part of the rich
Russian history and heritage.
The Museum group organized a
family weekend to the dacha in
January. A group of adventurous
families made a weekend trip to
the dacha to have a taste of the
real Russian winter in traditional
and comfortable surroundings. It
was a great experience that we
would love to share with the IWC.
Galina dacha gives a true
experience as taken from Russian
fairy tales. The large house has
been restored to its original
appearance. All the furniture is
authentic 19th century style; much
of it belonged to the family. The
detailed decorations showing
culturally valuable old objects
made you feel like being
transferred back in the past. The
construction of the house is also
very interesting. The ground floor
used to be the office and storage
of the fabrics and is made of stone
blocks to protect the merchandise
in case of fire.
The first floor is made of wood
and it was here where the family
lived. During Soviet times the
house had been expropriated and
used as a local school.
The back garden offers a fantastic
view of the idyllic landscape,
including a river. It’s a great
weekend getaway from Moscow
to enjoy peace and fresh air both
winter and summer. You can just
go there and relax in an oasis of
quietness and nature but if you
feel more like doing activities or if
you have children there are a lot
of things to do.
The place is very family friendly.
More information you can find on
the web site but keep in mind
that only Russian is spoken, so if
you don’t speak Russian it is
better to use a Russian speaking
person to help you with booking
the accommodation:
http://www.galinadatcha.com/
María Alejandra Valero
Visit to the Russian National Library
The brand new online catalogue contains the
newer inventory, but the bigger part of the old
inventory sits still in an old fashioned card index.
If you have a closer look in this card index you will
find beautiful old handwritten file cards.
The library was founded in 1862 and it was the
first free of charge public library in the city. At
that time the library was housed at “Dom
Paschkowa“ not far away from the main buildings
of the library. It is also possible to visit this very
worthwhile location which houses valuable
manuscripts.
The Russian National Library has its “own“
metro station - Biblioteka Imeni Lenina which
refers to the former name – the Lenin Library. It
was the National Library of the USSR and today
is the Russian National Library Moscow.
Together with the Russian National Library in St.
Petersburg and the Library of President B. N.
Yeltsin also in St. Petersburg they make up the
three National Libraries of the Russian
Federation.
The library is a reference library so you have to
read the books, editions and use the media in
one of the 38 reading rooms. Times haven’t
changed over the years in these rooms or in
the card index corridors and you can hear the
concentrated silence everywhere.
There is a designated room for professors and
PhD students, decorated with plants and
beautiful wooden furniture.
Bianca Turtur.
The inventory comprises of about 45 Million
media units, thereunder about 12 Million
foreign-language medias and editions, moreover
maps, handwritings and sound units. This makes
it one of the biggest libraries in the world, the
Congress Library in USA is bigger, with 150
Million media units and the British Library with
170 Million media units.
Interest Groups continuing during summer 2016
detailed info : iwcigmoscow@gmail.com
Name of Group
Days and Times
Art - Craft
1
2
3
4
5
6
Matryoshka Painting Course
Needlework Group
Sculpture
Craft Workshops
Printmaking
Traditional Textile Russian Doll Making
1
2
Bones for Life
Gnosis - Wisdom Lectures
Sahaya Yoga Meditation
Weekdays, from 10.00
Mon. 13.00-16.00
Mon thru Thu 10.00 - 13.00
Tue. 11.00-12.30
Fri. 10.0 - 13.00
Every 2nd Tuesday from 10.00 - 13.00
Body - Mind - Soul
3
4
Tue 12.00 - 13.30
Tue. 10.00-12.00
Thu. 11.00-12.30
Group 1
Sahaya Yoga Meditation
Sun. 12.00-13.30
Group 2
Family & Children
1
International Playgroup
Tue. 10.00-12.00
up to 3 years
Culture
1
Discover Russian Fashion
Various
Music & Dance
1
Latin Dances Group
2
Russian music evenings
Tue 19.00–20.00 Bachata /20.00–21.00 Salsa
Sun 14.00–15.00 Bachata /15.00–16.00 Salsa
Wed after 21.00 free dancing evening
Saturday evenings - various dates
Languages
1
2
Russian for Beginners
Beginners
Fri. 14:30 - 16:00
Russian for Beginners
Wed. 16.30-18.00
intermediate
Fri. 16.30-18.00
Russian Conversation-Discussion
3
Beginners
Russian Conversation-Discussion
Intermediate and Advanced
4
Wed. 14:30 - 16:00
Spanish Conversations
Basic & Intermediate level
Mon. 10.30-12.00
Thu. 10.30-12.00
Thu. 12.00-13.30
Wed. 13.30-15.00
MPC Social Services began serving Moscow in 1991, and
was officially registered as a charity in 2008. It is an
outgrowth of the charitable work of the English speaking,
interdenominational Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy, which
has been in Moscow since 1962 under an international
agreement with the Soviet Union.
MPC Social Services is a non-religious charity, legally
separate from the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy.
Today we are bringing you the interview with Imanni Burg,
Executive Director of MPC Social Services.
By Sona Lasikova
Tell us something about you. How long have you lived in
Moscow and what motivated you to be active in charity
work?
I've always been interested in charity work. In Philadelphia, I
spent six years as a community organizer helping residents
improve their own neighborhood. I moved to Moscow in
September 2011, hoping to use my community organizing
experience or my graduate studies in public health. At MPC, I
was happy to find an organization where I can use both.
How did you come to charity work at MPC?
I first heard about MPC five years ago. On my husband's first
flight to Moscow, he met a diplomat who was a member of
MPC and spoke highly of their social service programs. Then,
for nearly three years after we moved to Moscow, I worked
at the Anglo-American School, and I reconnected with MPC
through AAS's service learning projects.
How do the Russian pensioners live?
A pension in Moscow provides approximately 13,000
rubles per month. The pension covers groceries and
basic medical costs, but any emergencies or household
repair quickly become unmanageable. Fortunately,
many Russian pensioners own their own flat and
receive support from their family but for those who do
not, the available assistance can be very limited.
We've also found that pensioners are eager for social
activity. The pensioners' food and fellowship program
is our longest-running project. The 120 wonderful
pensioners that this program serves is as nourished by
conversations with our volunteers as they are by the
food that we give to them.
Are there work opportunities for immigrants and
refugees in Russia?
There are not many good jobs available to immigrants
and refugees in Russia, but this depends on each
person's situation. Russia provides temporary refugee
status to many Ukrainians. Language and family
connections make it easier for Ukrainians to integrate
into the economy, and the legal challenges for them to
do so are easier to navigate. However, if we are talking
about the group of people who are readily identified
as immigrants by language and race, the job prospects
are bleak. Many immigrant refugees hand out fliers in
metro stations for very little money. Because they may
not be legally entitled to work, they have little or no
protection from mistreatment by the organizations
that hire them.
To be continued on page 14
How do the Muscovites look at needy people and refugees?
Are they willing to support them?
We've found many individuals, families, and organizations in
Moscow that support MPC's mission. Many people can see
the hardships that some men, women, and children suffer
here. Often, we find that Muscovites are confused about
how and why refugees and immigrants came to be in Russia.
But as we tell the stories of the people we support, including
many who were the victims of human and sex trafficking, it
draws everyone in; everyone wants to help. Supporting
immigrants may not be politically popular right now, here or
anywhere else, but Russia is a place with a strong hospitality
culture, and many people feel ashamed to imagine that
refugees are exposed to the deprivations they suffer.
MPC Social Services began serving Moscow in 1991, and
was officially registered as a charity in 2008. It is an
outgrowth of the charitable work of the English speaking,
interdenominational Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy, which
has been in Moscow since 1962 under an international
agreement with the Soviet Union.
MPC Social Services is a non-religious charity, legally
separate from the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy.
Today we are bringing you the interview with Imanni Burg,
Executive Director of MPC Social Services.
Can you tell us the strongest story that you remember?
A wonderful story is unfolding right now that shows the
tremendous generosity of the IWC community. About a year
ago, a pregnant woman from Mali came into the MPC
medical advice center after her husband was deported. Her
baby was born with lung problems, and his situation has
grown worse in the months since. Housing insecurity is
among the biggest challenges that immigrants face in
Moscow. In this case, the newborn baby was living in an
overcrowded apartment where the windows did not close.
He developed a respiratory infection that led to pneumonia.
As the symptoms grew more serious, the baby required a
tracheostomy tube in his throat to help him breathe. The
tube requires constant home care such that the mother can
no longer work, and there are no public resources available
to support her. We put out a call to IWC, BWC, and the
French community to ask for support for this mother and
child during the next year while his health recovers and his
lungs develop. In a few days, 16 families volunteered to
sponsor this family. We are grateful to all of those who
responded so quickly to meet this need.
How volunteers from the IWC can help at MPC?
IWC volunteers are active throughout MPC's
programs. Volunteering opportunities range
from translation and event planning to playing
with the adorable children of African refugees.
Anyone who is interested in helping out can
email me at development@mpcss.org.
Sona Lasikova
Embassies Dinner and Butterfly Ball 2016
Has successfully held
Review Embassies Dinner and
Ball 2016 - Themed Butterfly
Ball, 23 April 2016
The music was full of dance beats, the
dancing was phenomenal, the silent
auction was competitive, the raffle table
was impressive, the food was delicious,
the ball room was elegant and all our
elegant guests were happy. We hope
that you all had a fantastic time in
your finest dress and dancing to the
brilliant beats of MokkoJazz.
More than 200 guests attended
the Ball.
We had a wide array of gifts
in the raffle draw.
The Ballet Sharm performed fantastic dances
and made everyone swirl on the dance floor.
Master of Ceremony: Denis Bachurin
Music: MokkoJazz, Elizaveta Yushkova, Olga Gavrilova
Performers: Ballet Sharm Group
Participating Embassies: Chile, Luxembourg and Slovenia
Supporting Embassies: Australia, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, New Zealand,
Slovakia, The USA and Turkmenistan
Presenting Partner: The International School of Moscow
EDB Event Partner: Baccardi Martini, Magic Group, The Dok-n-Dan Brewing, Peter
Justesen, Danone
Photographers: Andrius Maiminas, MoveOne, CHILL MAKERS
Media Partners: Moscow in Your Pocket, Moscow Expat Life, My Destination, Le
Courrier de Russie,
Raffle Partners: Asian Spirit, Audi, Baci Perugina, Bikram Yoga, Bentley Russia, Carré
Russe, Catherine Chapeaute, Darbars, Dutch Jewellery Creations, EisenBerg, Expat Salon,
Glasremis, Imperial Tailoring, Lindt, L'Occitane, LuzzAccessories, MEDINCENTER,
Metropol, Moscow Country Club Golf Resort, NewBy Teas, Palais de Thés, Peter
Justesen, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Sochi, Radisson Blu Moscow, Raiffeisenbank,
Roberto Bravo, Samsonite, Shoes of Prey, Timeless values, Zavidovo Resort Complex
Silent Auction Partner: Exposed – A Space for Art, Bentley Russia
Gift Bag Partners: International School of Moscow, Lindt, NewBy Teas, Palais de Thés,
Danone
Food & Venue: Hotel Metropol
Thank you to all donators for
their enormous generosity.
We extend a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to the Moscow International Community for their support to the
International Women’s Club.
Embassies Hosting Dinner:
Embassies Donated Gifts:
Chile Luxembourg Slovenia
Australia, Canada, Hungary, Germany, Moldova, New Zealand,
Slovakia, Turkmenistan, The USA
VIP Partners
Partners
Andrius Maiminas, Audi, Baci Perugina, Ballet Sharm, Bikram Yoga, Bentley
Russia, Carré Russe, Catherine Chapeaute, CHILL MAKERS, Danone, Denis
Bachurin, Darbars, Dutch Jewellery Creations, Elizaveta Yushkova,
Eventful.com, Expat Salon, Exposed - A Space for Art, Glasremis, Imperial
Tailoring, Le Courrier de Russie, L'Occitane, LuzzAccessories, Magic Group,
MARTINI, MEDINCENTER, Metropol, , MokkoJazz, Moscow Country Club Golf
Resort, MoveOne, My Destination, NewBy Teas, Olga Gavrilova, Palais de
Thés, Radisson Blu Resort&Spa Sochi, Radisson Blu Moscow, Raiffeisenbank,
Roberto Bravo, Samsonite, Shoes of Prey, The Dok-n-Dan Brewing, Timeless
Values, Zavidovo Resort Complex
IWC Partners
IWC Partners