A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • December 2020/January 2021 Know Your Way Around
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A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • December 2020/January 2021 Know your way around Relocating means preparing everything, and everyone for a new home. Our experience and knowledge of worldwide relocations, is shared by all our people in more than 200 locations. And we’ll always be Tel: +852 2636 8399 there to help you get the most [email protected] from your relocation. Go knowing crownrelo.com 20487911 - CR AWA full page adv.indd 1 11/4/2020 10:29:23 AM DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong, Limited. 3 Established in 1956 We are a vibrant organization of international women. Our mission is to welcome and empower women to connect and contribute in Hong Kong. AWARE PRODUCTION TEAM EDITOR Vasavi Seethepalli [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Tiffany Broeckelman Manon Manon Nicci Button 7 Rehana Sheikh HelenCarruthers Amanda Fitney Priya Iyer Contents Sarah Tierney News From the Board 2 Know your GRAPHICS Jacky Ngan AWA Enjoys 3 ADVERTISING MANAGER Member Insights 5 way around Rehana Sheikh [email protected] The Rising Issue of Food Waste 7 17 Calling All Expat Women 10 Relocating means preparing Rambling Rose - George Town, Penang 12 DESIGN AND LAYOUT BY My Charitable Choice 16 R&R Publishing Ltd. everything, and everyone for 2126 7812 Glancing Back 17 [email protected] a new home. www.rrpublishing.com.hk Triumph In Clear Water Bay! 19 AWA Contact Information 20 Our experience and knowledge of worldwide relocations, is shared by all our people in more than PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE AFTER READING. 200 locations. And we’ll always be Tel: +852 2636 8399 there to help you get the most [email protected] from your relocation. The AWA office is open from Monday-Thursday 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM. We are closed on Hong Kong public holidays. VISIT THE AWA WEBSITE: www.awa.org.hk LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/awahk FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @AWA_HK FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @awahongkong Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author only and do not represent the opinion of the American Women’s Association. Go knowing Any reliance by the reader upon any recommendation or opinion in this publication is at the reader’s own risk. The AWA accepts no responsibility for any loss which may result from such reliance. crownrelo.com Copyright 2020. The content of the AWAre publication is the property of the American Women's Association. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Information from within the publication may not be distributed without the express written consent of the American Women's Association. 20487911 - CR AWA full page adv.indd 1 11/4/2020 10:29:23 AM NEWS FROM THE BOARD NEWS FROM THE BOARD 2nd VP of Membership – Tiffany Broeckelman DECEMBER 1ST will be the start of my fifth year here in Hong Kong. In the fall of 2016 my husband and I became expats, transplanting our lives here from Kansas and becoming empty nesters at the same time. Due to the timing of our move, my biggest fear was that there would be no Christmas in our new city while being far from home and loved ones. I was overjoyed to find Christmas trees at the airport on our arrival and seeing buildings lit up with Christmas themes! I immediately felt comforted with the familiarity these offered. Our first month was spent in Sheng Wan, followed by a move to Kennedy Town, then 2 years in Wan Chai and most recently a move to Happy Valley. Moving is always exciting as it allows you to explore new areas, meet new people and make a new place home. The challenge of the move is there, but there is always comfort in finding something familiar to connect with. In Kennedy Town we were at the start of the trolley line and once again we are at a trolley terminus in Happy Valley. Riding along on the ding ding is always joyful and provided the welcome comfort with that familiar connection! After 4 years, we are still in love with the city of Hong Kong and it’s bright lights and unexpected green spaces. During our 4 years of changes, the city has also seen many changes. Even so, I find comfort in the familiarity of life here. I became a member of the AWA our first year in Hong Kong, actively participating in fundraising, local activities and the dragonboat team. Many special memories have happened while attending AWA activities and events. This year I joined the board as the 2nd VP of Membership during a very challenging time. Things are constantly changing as we work towards creating a charitable foundation, try our best to navigate Covid-19, and continue to lose those members leaving Hong Kong while welcoming fewer expats into the city. Despite these challenges, I am comforted by familiar things. AWA is still an organization dedicated to building relationships among women of all cultures and walks of life. We are raising funds for the women, children, elderly and underprivileged in Hong Kong and striving to provide assitance to those in need. We are still a group that loves to explore the city, learn new things and share our gifts with others. We really do offer something for everyone. I encourage you to spread the word among your friends, who may be unaware of the breadth of the AWA. Invite someone to a volunteer event, a WISE networking event, or one of our morning coffees! Our ongoing activities allow for guest participation and it’s an easy way for someone to glimpse what they are missing out on. As much as things change, we as an organization can grow upon our constants. Happy holidays! Be safe and enjoy celebrating with family & friends here in Hong Kong or wherever you may land. I hope you find something familiar to comfort you. 2 AWARE December/January 2020 AWA ENJOYS Tung Ping Chau Island Tung Ping Chau Island A Sunny Day at Deep Water Bay. From L to R: Cecilia Carlsson, Jen Bartolomeo, Ann Cooley, Jillian Kent FoonYing group Welcome New Members Adele Brunner June Eno Silpa Kidds Anita O’Neill Erica Perkins Vinita (Sony) Kothari Vivian Nguyen Madelaine Steller Eloise Pandov Sarah Pullen Samantha Weinstein Mona Watson Ariel Thorpe Prue Hayes Janell Baldwin Alicia Fang Kunj Gandhi Jane Grimme Crystal Wong Angela Upward Juhi Gobalakrishna Pascale Bourcet Kaye Josey Zhanel Kee playing in the Social at Clear Water Bay December/January 2020 AWARE 3 AWA ENJOYS Packing food bags for Sunshine Action Day hike to Repulse Bay & City Walk 4 AWARE December/January 2020 FEATURE MEMBER INSIGHTS: Manon Manon A unique series to get to know a fellow member, to engage, and to understand in-depth why AWA matters. IN THIS ISSUE, Priya Iyer talks to Manon Manon on her move of starting her own family. She noticed how her friends' kids' to Hong Kong, joining AWA, and her role at KiDS. wardrobes were filled with clothes – some used only for a few months, others never worn. Some friends were trying to sell Tell us a little bit about yourself. items via social media, with mixed results, while others I arrived in Hong Kong (HK) in Jan 2007 as my husband was wanted to donate them, but their options were limited. With transferred through his job. I was an Account Manager for a this dilemma in mind, in 2014, she set up the company and Design Agency back in London. After two months in HK, I website to offer parents a solution. found a position as South East Asia Marketing Manager / Regional Sales Manager at Gameloft, a French Video Game What are the drivers for setting up this Company, where I stayed for over nine years. After a two-year business? break to enjoy my family (three boys), I worked for the KiDS stemmed from the desire to make a positive impact: not company that has Bookazine, Partytime, only to protect the environment by and Sweet World stores under its reducing waste in the fashion industry but umbrella for several months as Marketing also to help those in need. By promoting Director but unfortunately, the work/family a circular economy, KiDS contributes to balance was not working. In March 2019, affect social change and supports the I started working for KidsDressSmart local community, by turning unwanted (www.kidsdresssmart.com), an online children’s clothes into funds for consignment store for kids clothes with a underprivileged children. At the same social purpose. It allowed me to adjust time, through its online platform, KiDS my work with my personal life. offers parents an exciting and cost- effective way to shop for children’s Has moving to Hong designer clothes. Kong helped you grow professionally? How does KidsDressSmart The opportunity at Gameloft included work, and how is it different? responsibilities which at my age would KiDS accepts good quality, pre-loved not have happened in Europe. Being part children’s clothes; the bulk of our clothing of a small team at Gameloft, I was working on various aspects is donated, while the balance is ‘sold’ by parents through our and traveling within South East Asia, discovering countries, platform. When parents opt to sell clothes, they can receive cultures, and meeting people in the telecom industry. 50% of the resale price for each item sold. Unlike the I also had a great learning experience during my time at traditional ‘shop-sell’ retail model we donate 60% of the resale Bookazine/Partytime/Sweet World that included organizing price of the clothes to children’s charities and environmental book signings and launches, shop opening, chocolate organizations.