Dear fellow CERDASians,
The following is a brief summary of CERDAS Foundation’s 2009 Charity Bazaar. This is intended to serve as a report on CERDAS’ activities. On behalf of CERDAS, I would like to extend our utmost appreciation to all who helped out. This report should have gone out soon after the event, so the information is current – my apologies for the delay. To those who have been anxiously waiting (are there any?), I hope this is not old news.
The 2009 Bazaar was a success. It went well thanks to great planning and solid collaboration from all involved. This year’s Bazaar was held earlier in the year than last year’s on account of many of our supporters’ plans to travel back home. Given the unpredictability of rain in June, the bazaar had to be held at a covered venue at the Bitter Lake Community Center Gymnasium. Much like before, the bazaar showcased authentic Indonesian dishes, with both traditional and trendy contemporary entertainment. The stage was nicely set up. Despite a relatively short promotional period, we had many visitors. According to the committee, there was an increase in the number of non-Indonesian American friends attending. The bazaar saw old and new faces. This is an encouraging indication of an upswing in the number of CERDASians in Seattle.
And we raised a respectable amount. As communicated by our Treasurer, Arif “The Money Man” Sukoco, the 2009 Bazaar managed to net a total of US$2,631.50. This is good, given the dismal state the national economy is in. Nevertheless, we must admit this amount is still less than what we had aimed for. This means we have more work ahead of us to ensure that we have better results for the next bazaar. Regardless, in the words of a volunteer, “Thank goodness it’s still positive. These days, it’s not easy to raise funds like that.”
As additional information (specifically for our new friends), this bazaar is one of our main fundraising efforts. Each year, we organize two fundraising events; these are the Charity Bazaar and Fundraising Dinner (held last March). Besides these two activities, CERDAS also raises funds through individual donor contributions, donations from other organizations/corporations and company gift matching programs (at the moment, Microsoft). The monies raised are used to fund scholarships for economically disadvantaged children in Indonesia. Last year, we funded 80 children. This year, scholarships will be evaluated based on available funds. Early indications are that the needed funding has risen sharply. We are hopeful that, with your support, collectively, we can ease the increasingly heavier burden together.
As a non-profit organization, CERDAS is powered 100% by volunteers. Our volunteers are the backbone of CERDAS. It is their generosity that has made our bazaar a success. Without their support, this event, which requires not a small commitment in terms of funds and energy, could have had a different result. Therefore, allow me to once again extend our utmost appreciation and gratitude to all our volunteers.
Firstly, our thanks to the head of the organizing committee Mbak Mustika and the committee members who worked hard and patiently coordinating this major event toward success. To every one of the “Super Seattle ladies”: you are all awesome! Thank you for the sacrifices that went into making this bazaar a success: not only preparing the food with gusto, but also putting together the program, presenting the children’s performance and cleaning up. Truly super energy! To our hardworking teenagers, thank you for your great sense of responsibility. CERDAS is very fortunate to have a generation of youths like you. CERDAS is also fortunate to have a top-rate documentarian: Kang Abu Martakoesoemah. As always, thank you for your valuable contribution. And to the men who gamely worked hard behind the scenes: our hats off to you! We can’t begin to express our appreciation for all your help. From taking measurements and arranging the venue, transporting necessary equipment and delivering the food, to doing such a fantastic job of cleaning up after. Bravo!
Thank you to the excellent performers. Thank you to our talented youths: Bianca Said who performed the Legong Kedaton so beautifully, Riri Efendi with her captivating keyboard skills, Yapong Dance Group: Annisa, Chantika, Rachel and Karima, with their supple dance moves and Hakim and Ihsan, two brothers who melodiously sang nasheeds full of meaning. Thank you to martial arts master Faizal Daoed who had an impromptu face-off with a formidable American opponent. Luckily, this time he had magically become invincible, so he could not be thrown around & beaten again : ) Thank you to Mbak Nenah and Group who so beautifully performed the Indang dance. Apart from Pearl Jam and Nirvana, Seattle also boasts popular original Indonesian musicians. Thank you to the group Kulintang under Pak Harry Karompis who, in spite of their busy schedule, is always ready to give a great performance. Aurora Band is a hip band that’s on the up & up. Thank you for the delightful performances. Thank you, of course, to RADS Band for “always being there for CERDAS”. With talented musicians and singers, RADS closed our event with songs that left the audience asking for more! Thank you too to our special guest star Tante Indra Harbani who made an appearance singing enchanting, nostalgic oldies. Last but not least, our biggest thanks to the two MCs who masterfully oversaw the program, Nikki and Fenty.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Julia’s Indonesian Kitchen, Indo Café, OSS Integrators, Maya Suklan and Seattle Surabaya Sister City Association (SSSCA) for their generous contributions that helped lower operational costs, and for the moral support they are always happy to extend to CERDAS activities. Thank you to Art3 for such a nice stage. May the nicely done CERDAS stage be a draw, bringing in new clients for Art3. Thank you to Neneng, Stella and Shinta for participating with the food/drink stands. Thank you to Suni’s Collection and Nanat’s Boutique for donating the proceeds of the day’s sale.
In closing, we look forward to continued support from our fellow CERDASians and hope that it will propel CERDAS to a brighter future, a future where, together, we can help even more underprivileged children in Indonesia get the education they need.
“… express my gratitude to those who provided assistance to my child. My hope is that will continue; at least until level 4 or 5 (elementary). And if possible, graduate (from elementary school).” – Father of Bias, a CERDAS program beneficiary from Jogjakarta.
Salam.
Thank you.
On behalf of CERDAS Foundation
Ismail Budhiarso, President.
