ASTANA. On December 4 The 13th edition of the Christmas Charity Bazaar traditionally hosted by the Ambassadors Spouses Association (ASA) saw embassies, NGOs, Astana residents and guests and many others, rally to raise a staggering 38,5 million tenge at the largest charity event of the year.
Held at the Radisson Hotel Astana, the in-person traditional charity event returned last weekend after a hiatus of two years due to the coronavirus restrictions and was absolutely packed. This year it welcomed over 40 countries with their national stalls celebrating cultural diversity, international schools and charity institutions coming together to make difference and touch so many lives.
Also, extending their helping hand were some 90 volunteers from Nazarbayev University and KazGUU University. The Media Chairperson of the XIII ASA Christmas Charity Bazaar Meral Tosun Sessa emphasized ASA members are honored to have charity institutions on board this year. She also added that it is wonderful to have volunteers at the event and extended her gratitude for working together towards charitable cause, fostering cooperation and demonstrating cultural diversity.
This year ASA members had outdone themselves as they raffled over grand 250 prizes. The charity event also included such raffle prizes as a car, flights tickets to nine different destinations, large domestic appliances, jewellery, iconic pieces of world-famous brands, hotel accommodation, gift vouchers for the best restaurants in Astana, vouchers for yoga and dance lessons, traditional gift baskets from Embassies, etc.
The ASA revealed the association raffled 3,500 prizes. The main goal of the Christmas Charity Bazaar is to support vulnerable groups and charitable organizations in Kazakhstan.
The Estonian Embassy took an active part, presenting various national wooden items, dishes and other Estonian products to the guests. In addition, the embassy donated a basket of Estonian products to the lottery gift fund.
The 2022 Christmas Charity Bazaar was a resounding triumph for the cause as it raised a grand 38, 5 million tenge or $82,000. Every tenge from the sale of tickets will be donated to charity purposes in Kazakhstan – 35 Kazakh charity groups and organizations the ASA keeps in touch with – such as crisis centers, charity funds and animal shelters.