In the past several months, this column has highlighted a few of the charities supported by the Bali International Women’s Association. BIWA is also a great social network, and to some women here, an invaluable part of their lives.
Friendship, mutual support, and assistance are the activities of BIWA.
While BIWA is held in high esteem by many villages who once needed a school roof, books and shoes, a dentist, or even disaster relief, BIWA is also a social network for about 300 women of 27 nationalities. No one will be turned away from membership if all she wants to do is have a nice lunch once a month. That said, no one gets into BIWA without knowing that her fees and dues go into many social welfare projects.
What does it mean to be a BIWA member? It can mean the instant gain of a wide circle of friends. BIWA women represent all ages, many religions, and include businesswomen and housewives, young mothers, grandmothers. It is impossible to pigeonhole a BIWA woman, because we’ve got scuba divers, university professors, activists, bon vivants, veteran Baliphiles, designers, and artists. A new member can find a kindred spirit in any corner of the room at a BIWA get-together.
This writer first approached BIWA ten years ago, when I was building my Karangasem house and was still living in Hong Kong. A Bali resident friend invited me to my first BIWA lunch in a famous Sanur hotel. I was immediately welcomed by everyone I met. The whole tone of the monthly lunch meeting was friendly and downright mellow compared to anything I knew in frantic Hong Kong. I was made to feel right at home.
Several yayasans had set up tables with information about their work. I was thrilled to find a group that would come to my home, and, for a reasonable donation, train my staff in how to begin composting organic waste. BIWA is in a network of all kinds of community outreach groups, connecting members with resources for better living. I felt connected to Bali immediately, and in a meaningful way.
BIWA Presidents stay for a maximum of two two-year terms, and I’ve known some wonderful women in that post. I joined BIWA when Muriel Ydo was at the helm, and she was a fund raiser nonpareil. Anyone who liked a holiday bazaar, a silent auction or a raffle loved BIWA in the years of Muriel. It was through her drive and determination, her love of service, that BIWA commandeered the phones at Sanglah Hospital as victims of the 2002 Sari Club bombing were brought in. Distraught relatives could phone in and talk to someone who knew their language, who had patient information, and who simply had the time to listen.
Eight years on, we are seeing the last months of the second term of Melly St Ange, who has not only inspired more members to be of service to the community, but who upgraded luncheon venues for everyone’s enjoyment. Melly greets everyone who comes to the meetings with genuine cheer and enthusiasm.
This warm welcome is pure BIWA. Melly’s friendliness inspires members to pay forward the courtesy, and I now enjoy the practice of seeking out a table where I don’t know a soul, and seating myself between two strangers. Sometimes a little business networking happens, sometimes everyone just shares a few hilarious stories. There’s always a bit of entertainment for the lunch, and there’s always a fundraising raffle with prizes from BIWA’s many sponsors. Monthly birthday cakes are always shared in honor of those celebrating another year.
Some enterprising businesses buy table stalls at the luncheons to form small bazaars. To those who don’t care to trudge through Seminyak, this shopping is a great bonus of membership. Often a few yayasans will get specially discounted tables and sell art or unique handicrafts to raise money for their cause. Gift cards made from the artwork of former street children have been top sellers at recent luncheons.
Throughout the year, members can flash their BIWA card at a whole host of shops, spas, hotels, restaurants, and outlets, getting great discounts from our sponsors. Call the BIWA Center and come to a luncheon to find out who gives BIWA members a discount on wine, and which gourmet food shop gives us a blanket 5% discount off our groceries.
Members can take all kinds of free or low cost classes at the BIWA center, like Indonesian language. Offsite, there are art and ceramic classes. In the time I’ve been a member, there have been free architecture lectures, nature walks, and Balinese culture sessions. Want to learn mahjongg? Tennis? BIWA members get these happening regularly, too.
Some members say that the best thing about BIWA is the opportunity to make a personal difference. When the mobile dental clinic rolls into some remote village, a number of BIWA volunteers go along to greet everyone and help things run smoothly. The BIWA ladies personally give to the children nutritious snacks or books or school shoes. Women who are unsure of the effectiveness of a charity always have a chance through BIWA to participate personally in reaching out to those in need.
Bali is mad for clubs! There are kite flying clubs, temple tidying clubs, car clubs and book clubs. It’s always fulfilling to be a part of a group with a common passion. BIWA was formed for the good of Bali, but it’s a very open group that never, ever, forgets the fun!
BIWA Account : PERMATA BANK, Jln. Dewi Sartika Kav. 88, Denpasar - Bali, Indonesia. Swift Code : bbbaidja. Account no. : 5812 314 485. Under the name of : Indah Meilyani Alimin or Maria Johanna D.
