A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • May 2018 AWA Charity Awards Coffee & General Meeting Friday, June 8, 2018, 8:30-10:30 a.m. The American Club Town Club, The Clipper Lounge, 48/F Exchange Square, Central Registration opens on 1 May. Please register at www.awa.org.hk, spaces are limited. MAY 2018 The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong, Limited. 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 Stephanie Chan [email protected] 7 ASSISTANT EDITOR Samantha Merton CONTRIBUTORS Nicci Button Sue Doorey Ming Lai Cheung Contents Linda Farquhar Ada Fong Shelly Mathias AWA Book Club, Golf Society Frances Nicholls Lee Parr and Galloping Gourmet 6 Karen Prosser Chiara Rodriquez Suzanne Younan Recycling for Dummies 8 AWA Visits the Justice Centre 10 GRAPHICS Jacky Ngan 8 Introducing Social Career 11 ADVERTISING MANAGER Teg Malla Sitting Down with Author Sarah Brennan 12 [email protected] Project Bridge: Every Child in a Loving Family 14 AWA Explores Incredible India 16 PUBLISHED & PRINTED BY Calendar 20 R&R Publishing Ltd. 2126 7812 [email protected] www.rrpublishing.com.hk 16 The AWA office is open from Monday-Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm. 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. 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. Copyright 2018. 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. NEWS FROM THE BOARD News from the Board From Jessica Cheng, Recording Secretary and Gabriela Caraman-Heijnen, Charitable Donations Chair Jessica: Although I had been an AWA member for two years prior to joining the AWA Executive Board as Recording Secretary, I have come to realize that I was unaware of half of the wonderful things that AWA women do. At every board meeting, I marvel at how incredible an organization the AWA is and how much we are able to do for our fellow residents of Hong Kong by joining forces. This is most clearly highlighted by the work we do with fundraising and the distribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships every year. When I talk to people who are not part of the AWA about our activities, it is this impact that they are always the most impressed with. As the wife of a local and having spent three years working in development in the US Peace Corps, I sincerely believe that locally based organizations have the greatest impact in improving lives. The AWA is in the advantageous position of being located in the city we are trying to contribute to. This enables our organization to build real relationships and work with our partnering charities to make the biggest and most effective impact. Gabriela: The privilege of becoming an Executive Board member occurred two years ago as a result of stepping into the role of Chairperson of the Charitable Donations Committee (CDC). Little did I know about the massive and meaningful amount of work that our monthly board meetings would entail. What is fascinating is the focus on creating value for our membership and being truly helpful to the Hong Kong community. The work is a concerted effort where everyone does her part to the best of her abilities. Our meetings are both very sober and also quite amusing. The willingness to contribute and find what works best gives rise to many “laws” within the AWA: the Fine analysis from the extensive research of Robin Fine, the Fifer effect from the number-crunching of our Treasurer Annie Fifer, or the Singh outcome from the fabulous work of our fundraising Chair Gunjali Singh! It goes without saying that being in the midst of proactive colleagues one cannot help but be motivated to do more. This is how I became involved with the Environmental Committee on top of the CDC. As my board term soon expires, I am grateful to have worked side by side with ladies who exhibit integrity, compassion, joviality, determination and readiness to assist whenever needed. I am also enchanted to know that my CDC successor - Beth McNicholas - is a brilliant lady who will bring experience and enthusiasm, enriching this committee and the work it does. I’ll continue to be involved with CDC as a team member and look forward to seeing it further develop in ways that reflect the needs of the people it serves. Since actions speak louder than words, you are cordially invited on behalf of the CDC volunteers to attend the yearly AWArd ceremony (June 8, 8:30am – 10:30am at the American Club in Central). We would be happy if you could join us together with the charities and sponsors to celebrate the collaborative aspect of our lives. And, who knows? Perhaps you'll be inspired to volunteer for CDC in September. 2 AWARE May 2018 MEMBERSHIP Tsim Sha Tsui: A Walk on the Bright Side The AWA (American Women’s Association) is a dynamic community of women of all nationalities, with Welcome New Members over 650 members from 36 countries. We are sure you Lori Bailey will find your niche through our diverse range of Valerie Blume activities, events and opportunities to volunteer. All Pauline Dean women are welcome – do join us! Catherine Erwin Helen Fennelly Current members – you are our best ambassadors. Musetta Fong Zimmermann Please introduce new arrivals and old friends to AWA – Jenny Hsieh over wine at OWL, at a Neighborhood Coffee, a WOW Maureen Hurley event, or encourage them to attend CHAT. AWA’s Lucienne Kilpatrick vision is that all women can connect with us and Caroline Kimble Hiroko Nishikawa develop a rich, satisfying and purposeful life in Hong Mandy Otsuki Kong. Elena Pistono Joining AWA is easy via our website at: awa.org.hk Jeanine Sandy or call 2527 2961. Denise Tronsor May 2018 AWARE 3 AWA ENJOYS Tour of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the Mei Ho House, and the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre The Search for the Lost Hakka Village, New Territories Bunco Happy Hour Cultural Visit to Dapeng Fortress, Guangdong, China 4 AWARE May 2018 AWA ENJOYS Behind the Scenes at The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel. Image courtesy of Julia Broad - Shopping in Bustling Bangkok www.JuliaBroad.com Shopping Series Visit to Wah Tung China Ceramics Warehouse May 2018 AWARE 5 AWA ENJOYS News from ... Afternoon Book Club Members of the Afternoon Book Club enjoyed a lively discussion about "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving at their meeting in March. The club will meet this month on May 15 to discuss "Too Much Happiness" by Alice Munro. Information about upcoming meetings is on the AWA website; for organizers’ contact information, see page 28. AWA Golf Society By Nicci Button The AWAGS had a fun couple of days in Macau in January. We stayed overnight at the Grand Coloane Resort and enjoyed a sumptuous Macanese dinner at the Miramar restaurant on the beach, as well as two rounds of golf! The weather was great and we had a fun time. On the first day we played an individual Stableford competition and the prizes were handed out at the dinner by our Lady Pro, Jackie Johnson. There were also prizes for nearest the pin and straightest drive. On day two we had a team Texas Scramble competition—this called for a lot of strategizing, particularly as each team was given a pink ball which added another level of competition. The idea is to keep the pink ball in play as long as possible. It is very easy to lose balls on the Macau course but two teams actually managed to hang on to theirs to the end. Every Wednesday a group of players meets at Kau Sai Chau to play on one of the public courses there. At this time of year the views are spectacular and the bird life abundant, so even if the golf isn’t going too well it makes for a very enjoyable outing. 6 AWARE May 2018 AWA ENJOYS Galloping Gourmet By Shelley Mathias I AM WRITING this after attending a fabulous and fun organizers—Linda, Mary and Penny—who work hard to find Galloping Gourmet night on March 10. However, I want to tell interesting and different venues for AWA members and their you about the weekend brunch we had on Lamma Island on partners to try once a month. The beauty of these events February 11 at The Olive Leaf, a vegetarian/vegan restaurant comes not only from the interesting food, but in bringing run by Israeli chef Ayelet Idan, and her partner, Jack, from together the spouses and partners of members, allowing their home in Pak Tok. The Galloping Gourmet team of Linda them to be part of the camaraderie that we enjoy as AWA Gomoll, Mary Oliver and Penny Soder arranged a different members. and special occasion.