AWCB NEWS

The donation drive for Ukrainian refugees is still going strong. AWCB has collected hundreds of donations and we can continue to do so. They are being delivered to the Brussels Expo Hall and to an organization at SHAPE called Together for Refugees. If you would like to make a contribution, please contact any of the following ladies in your area.

Below are some photos from volunteers Michelle Angelone and Julie Kmet from some of the many drop offs they have done for the club. Thank you for Michelle and Julie - and our generous members for all your donations which are doing so much good!

We are so pleased to give this uplifting update about our charity drive efforts for Ukrainian refugees - so far we have been able to fill 10 pallets of supplies and supported over 92 families with the items donated by AWCB members! We are always impressed by the generosity of AWCB members and sincerely thank you for everything you've done! Special thanks from the board also to our member Michelle Angelone who mobilized our effort, as well as members Nicole Wilder, Lindsay Clark and Julie Kmet who are all collecting items at their homes, which are then dropped off each week at the help centers - you ladies are amazing and we sincerely appreciate your big hearts!

Never leave a door unopened  (the title of Tharien’s presentation and her life motto)

On March 21st AWCB Members had a presentation from Dr. Tharien van Eck. The intensity with which Tharien described her experiences and feelings in life was very touching. She showed us photos of her family and different stages of her life.

She spoke to us about her childhood growing up in South Africa and the impact that her parents had in her life. They encouraged her to be anything she wanted to be.

She spoke about times that were very challenging and how she never gave up.

In the late 1980’s Although she never got to meet Nelson Mandela, Tharien was in charge of giving a daily report on Nelson Mandela’s medical condition in Cape Town. He was someone she really admired and would of liked to meet.

She also talked about meeting Desmond Tutu.

In May 2004 she relocated to Antwerp with her husband and children to become the Medical director for Johnson & Johnson. The move was a big adjustment for the family. She traveled to many countries and had many new experiences which have given many wonderful memories.

After retiring in 2017 she joined the AWCA and in 2019 became the Fawco Target Program Chair.

The highlights of her career are the times she supported the South African government with Nelson Mandela and being the Fawco Target Program Chair.

She’s very proud of her husband and children and is grateful for all of their support.

Once a month, you are invited to join our evening Reading Group get-together, to discuss the book-of-the-month, which is written by an American or Canadian author. We meet in the Brussels area, on the second Wednesday of the month, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

We often share a meal together while sharing views on the book-of-the-month! And also, info about good reads we have enjoyed. All contributions to the conversation are welcome!

Interested in participating? Please contact Geneviève Bergiers:

genevieve@chiropractorbergiers.be | 02 660 57 65

Once the location is decided (always in the Brussels area), Genevieve will notify you.

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April's Book - Christine HUTTIN will present the book “THE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM - Machine Learning and Human Values written by Brian CHRISTIAN.  This book will be available at FILIGRANES. 

We have received a lot of requests and questions about how we can help the Ukrainian refugees that are coming into Belgium. We will be partnering with centers in Brussels and Antwerp to provide items to those coming in. 

The latest information that we have received is that Belgium is planning to receive up to 300,000 men, women and children! Some of those that have come recently are arriving with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and have babies that are only a few days old. 

Below is a list of items that have been requested by the shelters and facilities that we have been in contact with. 

• Shower Gel for Adults & Babies
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Toothbrushes for Adults & Children
• Toothpaste
• Combs and Brushes
• Deodorant
• Wash clothes
• Q-Tips and Cotton Balls
• Nail Clippers
• Disposable razors
• Underwear (new) for Men and Women (all sizes XS - XL)
• Underwear (new) for boys and girls
• Socks for men, women and children
• Sanitary pads and panty liners
• Breast pads for nursing
• Pampers (all sizes) and wet wipes
• Baby balm and butt cream
• Baby food (2-3 month future expiry dates)

We are coordinating drop offs in the following locations and there will be a transport to the facilities each Thursday: 

• Brussels/Ixelles: Lindsay Clark +32 472 88 77 03
• Waterloo: Nicole Wilder +32 472 62 88 09
• Kraainem: Julie Kmet +32 491 20 14 39
• Schoten: Michelle Angelone +32 470 84 82 33

If you have any questions, please reach out to hope@awcb.com. 

We thank you for all of the support and any donations you are able to give. 

LUNAFEST 2022 – April 8, 2022

LUNAFEST® is back! This year’s films, running a total of 80 minutes, are a mix of narrative, animation and documentary short films by women and about women. LUNAFEST presents a fun opportunity to view unique films, support women in film and raise funds for the next FAWCO Target Project. FAUSA’s 2022 LUNAFEST will begin at 1:00 PM US EDT/7 PM CET on April 8, with 48 hours to start watching and 48 hours to finish viewing after activation. Tickets are $20 for FAUSA/FAWCO members and $25 for non-members, and we encourage donors to gift tickets and become super-supporters at higher levels.

Find details HERE and purchase tickets HERE.

Contact Therese at counselor_therese@fausa.org with questions.

Read all about upcoming FAWCO events, discover their magazine and learn about some of their grants programs. There is so much going on with FAWCO this Spring!

Upcoming FAWCO Events

UN Commission on the Status of Women and NGO CSW Forum

The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66) will take place March 14–25. The priority theme is “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programs.” FAWCO will not have an in-person delegation to CSW66, but most official CSW66 sessions will be live-streamed on UN Web TV. The annual NGO CSW Forum will take place virtually March 12–24. FAWCO members can register for the NGO CSW66 Forum and participate in online events related to the CSW66 theme organized by and for NGO activists and advocates. For more information on CSW66, contact unliaison@fawco.org.

March 7 CSW Orientation #2: What’s at stake? We’ll review the critical issues of gender justice and climate justice addressed in the CSW66 Priority Theme: “The achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change,

environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programs.” We’ll learn about the impacts of climate change on women and girls, and how to promote and protect the right of all women and girls to a healthy environment from FAWCO members who participated in COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021.

International Days to be aware of:

• March 1 UN AIDS Zero Discrimination Day
• March 8 International Women’s Day
• March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Did you know, FAWCO has it's own magazine

Out Now! Inspiring Women’s First Issue of 2022

“Women and the Environment”

Of all the existential questions challenging the world today, the fate of our planet is “The One.” We must take care of it. If not, there’s not much point to anything else! This Environment issue introduces you to the women in FAWCO Clubs who have been supporting the effort to keep the earth alive. Our goal in this issue is to not only inform you but to inspire you to act.

FAWCO Clubs in Motion is the place to move!

And AWCB's activities keep us going! We will join our FAWCO sisters and update our walk, bike rides and anything else that gets us moving!

AWG-LR Beach Babes currently have weekly 6km winter beach walks.

Munich IWC’s stats are up again: 3223 km for short walks, individual walks, running, cycling, Qi Gong, Yoga, Peloton and Tai Chi exercise class.

Heidelberg IWC’s Let’s Walk group provides a way for members to meet when they can’t meet indoors.

AWC Madrid is starting a walking group: in addition to their past participation in charity events, they will support breast cancer research.

See the full report and more photos and let's get moving!

2022 FAWCO Youth Cultural Volunteers Program

Applications open March 1 - AWCB members are FAWCO members

The destination is Amsterdam for the 2022 FAWCO Youth Cultural Volunteers Program, which aims to promote cultural understanding and raise awareness of global issues in our youth and help them develop into responsible and caring global citizens. High school FAWCO teens (usually aged 15–19) are hosted by FAWCO families for a week, and will experience a new culture while volunteering with local charities.

The participants will deliver a Group Project (usually a video or presentation) about their experiences and write individual essays reflecting on what they learn. Participants will be able to receive community service credits required by their International Baccalaureate program.

Dates for this year’s program are June 25–July 2, 2022. Application opens March 1! See more information and a draft itinerary here.

Couple more reminders.......for March and April

FAWCO First Friday is Here

Friday March 4 will be online from 6pm-7pm during the HopIn Social hour- Be sure to register for the conference and join us and catch FAWCO Fever

2022 FAWCO Interim Meeting Part 1

March 4-6 – Virtually on HopIn

Register and find more details HERE

Education Award and Development Grant

There is STILL TIME to submit Education Award and Development Grant applications to The FAWCO Foundation, THE DEADLINE is March 27 this year.

More information at The FAWCO Foundation.

LUNAFEST 2022 – April 8, 2022
Buy Tickets HERE

LUNAFEST® is back! This year’s films, running a total of 80 minutes, are a mix of narrative, animation and documentary short films by women and about women. LUNAFEST presents a fun opportunity to view unique films, support women in film and raise funds for the next FAWCO Target Project. FAUSA’s 2022 LUNAFEST will begin at 1:00 PM US EDT/7 PM CET on April 8, with 48 hours to start watching and 48 hours to finish viewing after activation. Tickets are $20 for FAUSA/FAWCO members and $25 for non-members, and we encourage donors to gift tickets and become super-supporters at higher levels. Find details HERE and purchase tickets HERE. Contact Therese at counselor_therese@fausa.org with questions.

As always, anytime you have a FAWCO question, email; FAWCO@AWCB.ORG, and let's connect!

On behalf of my daughter, I would like to thank all of the members of the AWCB chapter for generous book donations. This was in support of Amelia for her CAS project with AIS, which was a Book drive to support the English Immersion School in Aywaille. A school destroyed in the great flood of Walloon region.

As you remember the horrible floods this past July 2021, this school, which sits on the riverfront in Awaille, took on the brunt of the flood. The flood wall for the town gave way right in front of the school. Causing massive damage to the classrooms of the school.

When the flood water receded, the school was informed the building was insured, but not the contents of the classrooms.

Upon hearing of the school situation, Amelia, being an avid reader, wanted to help rebuild the school's library. From August of last year till Christmas, she was able to collect over 420 English books for the school library.

Thank you again for your support of the children of Awaille and Amelia.

Relay for Life: International Community 18-19 June 2022

Many Americans have either participated in or heard of Relay for Life in the US but did you know that it’s also an international sensation? Each year, teams comprised of people from all over the world gather at St John’s School in Waterloo for the International Community’s Relay for Life. All proceeds raised by the teams go locally to Belgian’s Foundation Against Cancer. The event starts on Saturday afternoon and lasts for 24 hours with individuals from each team dedicated to walking together around a track while different food, games, events, and entertainment are provided by the teams. The American Women’s Club had a team in 2019 and we wanted to see if anyone would like to participate this year and be the team captain again this year? If you are interested, please let us know at: events@awcb.org You can find more information on the Relay for Life website and can sign up there also. There is even a special status for our cancer survivors where you have VIP treatment for the event.

Last month we had some wonderful in person events!

Spotlight on African Museum in Tervuren, February 16th

A group of members gathered at the recently renovated African Museum in Tervuren in February. The museum explores Belgium’s colonial past as well as the cultural and natural riches of Central Africa. It contains an expansive collection of artefacts and history and is a highlight to any visit to Belgium. A lively discussion took place at the on-site restaurant Bistro Tembo afterwards. If you were not able to attend this time, don’t put off a visit before long!

The picture below is of members Marianne Hubert and Nancy Evans at the museum.

Spotlight on Friendship Luncheon, February 13th

The AWCB Friendship luncheon at restaurant Le Saison in Corroy Le Grande was delightful. It was a pleasure to get together on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy a savory raclette meal among friends in this spacious and charming restaurant. We were happy to make new friends as we had several new members joining us. Thank you Kristen for making cookies for all of us to take home. A great day was had by all! Please find pictures of the events in the shared AWCB pictures drive.

Spotlight on Wellness, March 10th

Nutrition and Fitness coaches Magda M. Borys and Liesel Duhon will help AWCB members with new year's resolutions and give tips on how to add healthy foods to our diet, and keep fit to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.