As with many things in Cambodia, things are not always as they appear.
That was the case, for me, with WIG (the Women's International Group) which I stumbled upon from a link on the ExpatWomen website while searching for places to meet other women when I arrived in town.
At first glance, it seemed to be a social group of ladies who lunch (or play bridge or tennis or mahjong). But, after attending an introductory event and meeting some of the members, I learned more about the basis of the group.
It began in 1994 as an informal cluster of women who came together to provide support for women and children in distress and evolved into a group whose biggest fundraiser (the November Christmas Fair) raises five figures (in dollars, not riel) for worthy organizations throughout Cambodia.
As for the social aspect, that’s a big part of the group and there are plenty of activities going on every month to occupy a non-working woman (though not so many for the worker among us). There’s a monthly general meeting held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Intercontinental Hotel (where you can also attend as a non-member) as well as coffee mornings, birthday lunches, sundowners, book clubs, knitting, bridge, tennis and anything else you wish to introduce.
The annual membership is $25 (which goes towards community support projects in Cambodia) and provides you with a newsletter of activities as well as discounts from participating businesses around town.
There are presently 150 WIG members from 26 countries, including Australia, Afghanistan, India, The Netherlands, Britain, USA, New Zealand and Japan, with a broad age range and demographic. The website, which was launched this March, also includes links to other organizations along with useful information for expat women about travel resources, local customs, importing pets, buying cars, medical facilities, schooling and safety.
This year, the WIG Christmas Fair will be held on November 28. Admission is $3 and gives you the opportunity to stock up on gifts for the holidays as well as benefit worthy causes.
Raffle tickets are presently available for $1 each (or a book of 25 for $20) and there are dozens of prizes, including a $100 voucher for the Verandah Resort in Kep, mobile phones from Hello, dining certificates for Yumi, Chayyam, Bi’won, The Deli, beer from Cambodia Brewery and many more.
Email gabirich2003 [at] yahoo [dot] com to purchase tickets.
Hi I went to Java for the( January-16-2013 )
Hi I went to Java for the coffee meeting this morning as advertised. But couldn't see anyone there only two ladies very busy on their computers so reckoned they werent the WIG ladies. Been here for just over a week and would like to meet some people. Love cycling, gym,oil painting , cooking , hiking
Would love to join any group.
Thea
Is this open khmer women,( November-03-2010 )
Is this open khmer women, and/or are they more likely to be treated as a charitable cause.
Open to all( November-03-2010 )
Taylor,
It's open to anyone from what I have seen. There's a monthly meeting next Wednesday at the Intercon at 3pm if you want to try it out.
good job ( November-02-2010 )
excellent work girls, keep it up, love to seee people helping out