The charity bazaar felt more like a ‘world event’ as 20 foreign missions in Singapore presented their rich culture and heritage all for a good cause
THERE was a long line of almost 40 ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives from foreign missions here that welcomed H.E. Tharman Shanmugaratnam. President of Singapore to the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) International Bazaar 2023 on Saturday 18th November 2023 at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. The President who is also the Patron of the Singapore Red Cross, officially launched the event, which is themed as ‘One World United in Harmony’ and then toured the charity booths to meet and sample the mix of local as well as foreign food and drinks.
There were more than 80 stalls set up by the diplomatic corps, local and international enterprises, civic groups and schools. Participants from all walks of life were able to indulge in delicacies such as Chilean empanadas, Hungarian scones, Pakistani chicken biryani, Panamanian chicken rice, Swiss cheese raclette and Venezuelan rum; shopped Columbia coffee powder, Japanese ceramic wares, Jordanian Dead Sea products and Maldivian canned tuna; while enjoying all-day entertainment including Chinese Orchestra, Peranakan songs, Tae Kwon Do demonstration and Mexican Dance.
The programme stretched right up till 7 in the evening with the Red Cross targeting to collect S$500,000 .
The International Bazaar also feature a Charity Auction (redcross.sg/ib-auction) with exclusive items – such as The Girl Looking Beyond quilt by Singaporean Aimee Lee of 2Quilters, a private food truck dining experience from The Good Burger which serves up plant-based burgers, and an 18k White/Rose Gold Necklace by Genark & Co, featuring Singapore’s national flower – the orchid.
All funds raised from the International Bazaar (redcross.sg/internationalbazaar) go towards SRC’s local humanitarian services for vulnerable communities such as persons with disabilities; single elderly; lower-income families; children and youth; and migrant workers. SRC runs Singapore’s only residential home for severely disabled persons, and many essential programmes and services such as TransportAid & Medical Chaperones; Tuition & Mentorship for Children & Youth from disadvantaged homes; Befriending and Psychosocial Support for Seniors living on their own – all of which will benefit from the funds raised from the International Bazaar.
The Bazaar is a wonderful testament to hard work put in by the Red Cross and all the participating diplomatic missions that included:
– High Commission of Malaysia
– Embassy of the Republic of Chile
– Swiss Association Singapore
– Embassy of Ukraine
– Embassy of Panama
– Embassy of the Republic of Korea & The Korean Women’s Association in Singapore (KOWAS)
– Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
– Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Singapore
– Embassy of the Czech Republic
– Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
– Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
– Embassy of the Republic of Colombia
– Embassy of Japan A14: Pakistan High Commission
– Embassy of Jordan
– Royal Embassy of Cambodia Singapore
– Embassy of Turkey
– Embassy of Hungary
– High Commission of the Republic of Maldives in Singapore
The SRC International Bazaar Picture Gallery
