C!Talk’s You & Me: Culture Jam for Dandelion School

“C!Talk is an intiative of a global organization called World Culture Open and is a series of culture-related performances held in the Beijing MOMA Cinematheque every two months.”

This Saturday, May 19th will see the first of a four-part event series by C!Talk Beijing to raise cultural awareness through performances by local artists and 100% of the ticket sales will go to The Dandelion School of Beijing to provide a chance for underprivileged children to also attend fun theatrical events.

“C!Talk thrives to create an open stage where people can enjoy their rights to arts. The May 19th show will deliver an unforgettably engaging, inspiring, and thoroughly entertaining experience to the Beijing community.” – Janet Kang, organizer for C!Talk Events

Their first event will feature international artists and performers showing their talents around the theme : You & Me.

Performers include Beijing’s beloved and very hilarious Beijing Improv Group along with a Argentinian Tango and talented multicultural musician Rani Geroult.

C!Talk’s Performing Artists:

• Argentinian Tango by Annie Cheung and Mark Jonikas - Annie Cheng is an independent modern dancer & choreographer, Argentine tango instructor and performing arts organizer. Both Annie and her dance partner Mark Jonikas will take you through the concept and demonstration of two sorts of magnetisms in Tango. 

• Rani Geroult - Born in India and raised in France, Rani Geroult has a personal background that binds her to both Western and Eastern cultures. From the self taught musician playing in the streets of Sanary-sur-Mer in France to becoming an international vocal artist in Beijing, Rani has crossed a trajectory and developed a different voice and style taking her to places, and charming international audiences all over the world.  A multicultural and multitalented musician, Rani will perform several improvisational pieces.

• Beijing Improv - Beijing Improv is China’s oldest and largest Improvised Theater organization, produced widely acclaimed monthly comedy shows and winning raving reviews. They will perform several interactive comedy skits created based on the theme “you and me”

• The Buu Club – Created in 2010 by a group of young musicians fascinated with aboriginal music, they aspire to promote freedom, happiness, tolerance, and a natural lifestyle. For this event, they will perform a “conversation” between a Djembe and a Darbuka (Middle Eastern drum). 

“Perhaps the most exciting part of the show is the Buu Club’s  ’Cultural Jam’ performance that invites two different genres of cultures to perform improvisational and interactive ‘jamming,’ and this time we will feature two different types of drums – Djembe and Darbuka.” – Janet Kang

Event tickets are only RMB 30 per person but keep in mind that 100% of ticket sales will be donated to the Dandelion School of Beijing.

To read more about Annie Cheung and Rani Geroult’s performances for C!Talk’s “You & Me” event this Saturday, May 19, check out Global Times article here.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

• Time: 16:00-17:30

• Location: Beijing MOMA Cinematheque 当代MOMA 百老汇电影中心

• Address: North area of Dongzhimen MOMA, 1 Xiangheyuan Lu, Chaoyang district  朝阳区东直门香河园路1号, 万国城北区（二环路东北角）

• Website: Click here

About C!Talk:

C!TALK is about creative talent sharing. C!TALKs provide with a stage where such cultural wisdom and stories are shared with a larger public. Invited artists from diverse cultural genres will perform on stage and talk with the audiences to share their wisdom, experiences and the stories of tears and laughs.

“1 event ticket per child.”  - Many of us have the memory of heartfelt sensation from being to events such as ballet, musical, orchestra performances or plays. Such sentiment seeds joy and even hope to many people. C!TALKs ask audience to purchase tickets (RMB 30), but 100% of the profit, in turn, are used to support event tickets for children of less privileged, those who don’t have much access to the live theatrical events.

Organized in series bimonthly, each C!TALK session is created by collaboration among diverse groups of people from a local community. It raises awareness of community spirit among the participating artists, organizers, sponsors, volunteers, audiences, and the recipients of donations alike.

The program is designed as a part of ‘creative sharing’ initiative of the World Culture Open, a global network organization which strives to provide open and creative intercultural platform for people to engage, enjoy, embrace and be enriched together, sharing and respecting each other’s cultural experiences and knowledge, as well as dreams and ideas.

Whisky & Women Unite: 85 Broads at Starfish

Whisky.

Women.

Charity.

Compass Box Cocktails by Stephanie Rocard at Mao Mao Chong.

Seafood and Snacks by Starfish.

Performances by Jess Meider.  

What a wonderful way to celebrate International Women’s Day!

Hosted at Starfish Wine & Seafood Bar, this International Women’s Day event is brought to you by 85 Broads and their partners VIVA Beijing,Starfish, Oregon Oyster Farms and Compass Box Whisky Co., to bring women together to inspire and unite with Beijing’s brightest women entrepreneurs.

Contribute over RMB 100 and get a cocktail, 3 oysters and a raffle ticket.  With Mao Mao Chong actually closed until March 16, this is your only chance to taste their delicious, innovative cocktails.  All proceeds go directly to support EGRC – Educating Girls of Rural China. In 7 years, EGRC has raised funds in Canada and Hong Kong; sponsored 286 young women from impoverished rural areas of Gansu Province in Northwest China to receive university education.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012
• Time: 6PM
• Location: Starfish Wine & Seafood Bar
• Address: Just west of southwest corner of Xindong Lu and Dongzhimenwai, 22-1 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, 东直门外大街22-1号
• Questions: Call 186 0120 3623

Cuffed by Cupid: Charity Pub Crawl through Sanlitun

The idea is simple: Pay RMB 100 and you can pat yourself on the back for doing your good deed for the day by contributing to Migrant Children’s Foundation, a worthy charity organization in need of additional funds and you are set for a guaranteed great night.

Organized by fellow Beijinger Phoebe Mroczek, she took something as simple as a pub crawl and made it into an easy way to raise a decent amount of money towards a local Chinese charity organization she believes in while also putting together a fun event for her friends and anyone else keen to tag along.  The last pub crawl in December was cleverly titled the “12 Pubs of Christmas Charity Pub Crawl” and this month, she’s cuffing all participants to cupid (perfect timing with Valentine’s Day just around the corner) in this next charity pub crawl.

Rally up friends and potential love interests and be sure to dress up in red, pink or white. Once everyone turns up, you are pretty much ‘cuffed’ into a 9 bar pub crawl commitment that will take you through Sanlitun’s best drinking holes. Run-down goes something like this (subject to change at Phoebe’s discretion) -

Paddy O Shea’s (Starting Point)

James Joyce

The Den

Drive Thru

Luga’s

1st Floor

2nd Floor

3 Rock

With a total of 9 bars on board, you are guided on a pub crawl through Sanlitun, taking shots at each bar and tempted by superb drink specials to ensure that by the time you’re done, you’ve hopefully got cupid on your side.

Event Details: 

• Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
• Time: 4PM
• Location: Starting Point at Paddy’s, then you’ll be heading all over Sanlitun ‘hood
• Contact: crawlsforacausebeijing@gmail.com or call 15011002459

Migrant Children’s Foundation Background:

The Migrant Children’s Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of disadvantaged children in Beijing through volunteering. Our volunteers undertake one month support placements at under-resourced schools in Beijing, but the focus isn’t only on teaching – it’s about sharing experiences, giving time, learning new skills and experiencing life in one of the oldest, most fascinating and fastest-changing countries on earth. This is what makes MCF unique.

For more information, click here.

theBeijinger’s Charity Super Quiz 2011

Think you’ve got what it takes to beat out Beijing’s top whiz master? Think you’re the king of utterly useless, random trivia knowledge?  (JUST KIDDING, I revoke my comment about trivia knowledge being useless as I’m sure you can find great use with random facts.)

In any case, I know how seriously hard-core Beijingers get when it comes to pub quizzes – there’s a reason why every freakin’ pub in Beijing hosts their own pub quiz night. So now you can put your knowledge to the test and come out for the ultimate pub quiz of the year – theBeijinger’s Annual Charity Super Quiz, the holy grail of pub quizzes with “tougher questions than ever” and all proceeds going to Ping An Medical Foster Home.

Hosted at Chocolate Club this Sunday, December 11, doors open at 6PM and questions start at 7:30PM. Round up your dream whiz team (tables are limited to teams of 10) and tickets cost RMB 100 including a free drink. 

“Whether you enjoy quizzes, charity or Russian dancers, there’s something in this evening for everyone.” – theBeijinger Team

This year’s event will include the following QuizMasters:

• Karl from Paddy O’Shea’s

• Jim and Anthony from The Kro’s Nest

• Tom from the Black Sun

• Josh from Lush

• Pat from the Green Cap

• Liz at The Stumble Inn

• Graham of the Irish Volunteer

• Julian from Tim’s Texas Bar-B-Q

• Alex from The Brick

• Jonny from The Bookworm

…Like I said before, this is the Holy Grail of Beijing Pub Quizzes!

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, December 11
• Time: 6PM
• Location: Chocolate Club
• Address: 19 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区日坛北路19号
• Tel: 8561 3988
• Website: Click here.

Save-the-Date: BICCO’s Christmas Charity Dinner

As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the trees, lights and holiday decorations come flooding out as everyone begins gearing up for Christmas and New Years! Hopefully by now, most of you have awoken from your turkey comas and you are in the holiday mind set to begin Christmas shopping and party planning.

There are many upcoming gala dinners, holiday balls and Christmas dinners coming up in the next few weeks, but be sure to mark your calendars and save the date for this event in particular – “Unlock the Future”, which is a Christmas Charity Dinner and Silent Auction that will take place on Saturday, December 10.

We have a goal of raising RMB 200,000 in ONE NIGHT with all funds raised on this evening to be donated to Beijing International Committee for Chinese Orphans (BICCO)‘s Shunyi Orphanage Rehabilitation Program to help support over Chinese orphans and children with disabilities.

“Without this program and the work of BICCO, many of these children would not leave their beds or even have a chance at a potential future outside of the walls of this state-run facility.” – Amy Zima, organizer of Unlock the Future Christmas Charity Dinner

Hosted at Kagen Japanese BBQ Restaurant, there will only be 200 seats available and all charitable guests will be treated to 10 dish menus created by Alan Wong and his top chefs at Kagen, a champagne toast and select wines paired with a lovely meal.

Acoustic musician David Mitchell will be performing several different instruments and there will also be other live music entertainment including some Christmas Caroling (just part of the jolly holiday spirit!).

The event will also be featuring great silent auction prizes including Apple products, a private dinner for 10 at Hatsune by owner Alan Wong paired with wines by Wine Republic (valued at RMB 13,000), a 2-night weekend stay at The Westin, a Hummingbird spa package (valued at RMB 7,000), a GungHo! pizza party, handmade necklaces from April’s Adournments, a custom Hutong Tour by Bespoke Beijing, a Punjabi Indian Feast and with many other restaurant vouchers around town.

Sign up early at either who get pre-sale price RMB 600 or you can also pay RMB 800 at the door (if there are any seats left!).  To book your seats in advance, you can either purchase tickets at Kagen Restaurant, Hatsune Sanlitun branch, or Ivy Academy at East Lake Villas.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 10, 2011
• Time: 6:30PM Cocktail Reception, 7:30PM Dinner
• Location: Kagen Japanese Hot Pot & BBQ Restaurant
• Address:  Located below the Original Hatsune on Guanghua Lu
  • B1/F, Bldg C, Heqiao Dasha, 8 Guanghua Donglu, Chaoyang District
  • 朝阳区光华东路8号和乔大厦C座地下1层
• Tickets: Only 200 seats available! RMB 600 (pre-sale), RMB 800 (at the door)
• Tickets are available for sale at Kagen Restaurant, Hatsune Sanlitun restaurant and Ivy School in East Lake Villas (Suite C-101 No. 35, Dongzhimenwai) Call: 8451 1381
• For more information: Call 135 2034 1984

Foodies, Arm Yourself in 2012 with the Little Gold Book

Little Gold Book is like the “Little Black Book for Charitable Foodies in Beijing”.

It’s a coupon book with crazy good discounts on Beijing’s top restaurants with 30% of proceeds going towards local community charities.

Just think about it – All those places you’ve been wanting to try out or that you wish you could go more often (if they were more affordable), you can finally begin to eat your way through Beijing’s top dining destinations armed with a little gold book filled with coupons that are up to 50% off!

Here’s a few top deals you can score with The Little Gold Book:

• 50% off Hatsune
• 2 for 1 mains at Assaggi
• 2-for-1 wine at Enoterra
• 50% off Stumble Inn
• 2-for-1 Food Items at The Bookworm
• 50% off ROOMbeijing
• 2-for-1 cooking classes at Vegan Hut
• 50% off Filling Station
• RMB 50 discount on a dozen Lollipop Cupcakes

Click for full list of deals here (there are 85 deals by 70 restaurants).

For only RMB 240 per Little Gold Book, you can cover the cost of the entire book after just one meal at one of the 70 participating restaurants.  It’s valid for the entire 2012 year so there’s plenty of time to work your way through each deal.

With the holidays quickly approaching, the Little Gold Book is a great stocking stuffer for all fellow Beijing foodies!

Little Gold Book was first released at the Chi Fan for Charity 2011 After-Party at Hatsune and will be available for sale again at Kagen’s Christmas Charity Dinner on December 10th with 30% of proceeds going towards BICCO.

Little Gold Book is currently sold at The Bookworm, April Gourmet’s and Colibri.

Get Ready to Rumble: Black Tie Charity Boxing Event

I have never seen an actual boxing event, I think the closest I’ve been is watching all the Rocky Movies.

But this Saturday, November 19, 2011, the Hilton Beijing is teaming up with MMA to host a Black Tie Charity Boxing event with fighters coming to Beijing from all over the world (USA, Russia, Austria, Czechoslovakia, China and Samoa) with a schedule of 10 fights throughout the evening.

“A night of world class fighting that’s sure to exhilarate anyone from the novice spectator to the die-hard boxing fan.”

Alongside these fights, the Hilton will serve a full-on four-course gala dinner paired with premium wine and a silent auction including signed items by boxing kings Mohammed Ali and Mike Tyson with proceeds going to China Youth Development Foundation: Project Hope.  Proceeds raised will be used to improve teaching facilities of schools built in poverty-stricken areas of China.   

Tickets are available from RMB 888 second row and RMB 1288 ring side, including show and a four-course dinner with wine/beverages. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter set up in the lobby of Hilton Beijing or you can contact May directly for reservations or inquiries: MayLea.Ling@hilton.com or call 5865-5120.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, November 19, 2011
• Time: 7:00PM
• Location: Hilton Beijing
• Address: 1 Dong Fang Road North Dong Sanhuan Rd. Chaoyang District  朝阳区东三环北路东方路1号
• Tickets: RMB 888-1288
• Contact: MayLea.Ling@hilton.com or call 5865-5120

LumDimSummary: BJ FOoDiEs Hatsune Charity Dinner

This past Sunday night, BJ FOoDiEs hosted their monthly “Indulge for a Cause” foodies event at the classic Beijing favorite – California-Japanese sushi King Hatsune restaurant to support the Library Project charity organization.

Hatsune served a steal of a deal 8-dish menu featuring many of their menu’s “Hidden Gems” for only RMB 100 per person.

This month’s BJ FOoDIES had a great turn-out of over 90+ foodies who collectively raised a total of ￥7,615 RMB, which was then matched by Alan Wong, owner of the Hatsune restaurant group to raise a grand total of RMB 15,230 for the Library Project.

About The Library Project:

The charity to receive this months proceeds will go to THE LIBRARY PROJECT – The NGO’s mission is to donate books & build libraries to under financed schools & orphanages in the developing world. The Library project believes that education is the key motivator to breaking the cycle of poverty that exists in the developing world & to establish permanent change.

For more information: http://www.library-project.org/

Hatsune Locations:

• The Original Hatsune (Guanghua Lu Branch):
• 2/F, Heqiao Bldg C, 8A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
• 朝阳区光华路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层
• Tel: 6581-3939
• 
  
• Hatsune Sanlitun Village Branch:
• 3rd Floor of Sanlitun Village (next to Element Fresh & across from Karaiya Spice House)

• Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
• 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区8号楼S8-30
• Tel: 6415-3939

**To Join the BJ FOoDIES Mailing List,  email bjfoodies@gmail.com

**Hatsune will be hosting a Sake Tasting Dinner Party on Saturday, July 2.  To Join the Hatsune Events Mailing List, email kristen@lumdimsum.com.

LumDimSummary: BJ FOoDIES ‘ONLUS’ Charity Dinner

This past Sunday night, BJ FOoDIES hosted their monthly “Indulge for a Cause” foodies event at the classic Beijing favorite – Alameda contemporary Brazilian restaurant to support ONLUS charity organization.

Serving up a Brazilian feastage, guests enjoyed a slam-dunk 3-course menu with a glass of wine/beer/juice for only RMB 100 per person.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Alameda’s BJ FOoDIES Dinner:

Choice of Starters:

Roasted Beef Salad with Dry Tomatoes and Toasted Bread with Herbs Served with Balsamic Reduction / Pacotinni Stuffed with Ratatouille and Goat Cheese with Green leaves and Tamarind Sauce

Main Course Selection:

Duck Leg Comfit served with Polenta Cream with Shiitake and Red Wine Sauce / Baked Tamboril with Green Beans Foam served with Asparagus and Pumpkin Risotto / Grilled Picanha Steak served with Baked Tomato, Onions and Eggplant served with Sweet Garlic & Crisp Rosemary

Dessert Selection:

Milk Pudding / Fruit Plate with Zabaglione / Cocoa Creme Brulee

Highlights of the dinner at Alameda were the Beef Salad and Alameda’s rich and creamy milk pudding is to die for.

Overall, I was thrilled to re-visit a Sanlitun old-timer like Alameda and enjoy such a lovely meal with fellow foodies while also supporting a worthwhile cause.  Doesn’t get much better than that.

This month’s BJ FOoDIES had a great turn-out with the restaurant totally booked out and in the end, they raised a total of ￥6,185 RMB + US$100 for the ONLUS Charity Organization.

About the ‘ONLUS’ Charity Organization:

The charity to receive this months proceeds will go to ONLUS ASSOCIAZIONE MONSERRATE – TheNGO’s mission is to address provide economically disadvantaged families of handicapped children affected by cerebral palsy with financial resources necessary to ensure adequate rehabilitation of children & give parents the opportunity to participate in a specialized training course to learn how to help your child at home.

For more information: http://www.monserrate.org

LumDimSum Snapshots of BJ FOoDIES Dinner at Alameda:

Alameda Restaurant Details:

• Address: Close to Jazz-Ya (across the street from Nali Patio) Sanlitun Beijie, 三里屯北街
• Tel: 6417-8084

**To Join BJ FOoDIES Mailing List,  email bjfoodies@gmail.com

Porcelain Doll Operation: Happy Appreciation Gala

My dear friend Kemin Zhang is working together with Porcelain Doll to organize an Appreciation Gala this Saturday, April 9 at 3PM at Cable 8.

Please support their efforts and any children’s books, baby formula, and other baby products will be much appreciated.  The event will be featuring a film documentary showing the children’s lives and growth. There will also be t-shirts and cups designed by the children available for sale.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Porcelain Doll project, please see this link:
http://blog.sina.com.cn/u/1667952993

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, April 9, 2010
• Time: 3:00 PM
• Location: Cable 8 Culture Creative Center
• Address: 8 Langjiayuan, Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区建国路郎家园8号尚8创意产业园
• Website: http://blog.sina.com.cn/u/1667952993

LumDimSummary: BJ FOoDIES ‘Harmony’ Dinner

Last night, BJ Foodies hosted their monthly “Indulge for a Cause” foodies event at SSAM contemporary Korean restaurant to support the CHILDREN OF MADAIFU charity organization.

With a very diverse menu by restaurant host SSAM, guests enjoyed a 7 dish super supper menu of “molecular Korean cuisine” together with a glass of schu for only RMB 120 per person.

LumDimSum Snapshots of BJ FOoDIES SSAM Dinner:

Mini Appetizer / Beef Carpaccio with Truffle, Pear Slices, Poached Quail Egg & Soy Sauce

Miso Salad with Sauteed Cherry Tomato, Tofu, Green Pea Leaves in Korean Clam Sauce / Spicy Seafood Skewer with Conch, Mussel and Shrimp

3 Kinds of Jeon aka Korean Pancakes / Seared Salted Mackerel

3 Kinds of SSAM Bap / SSAM Tiramisu with Korean Yozu

Highlights of the dinner at SSAM were the Beef Carpaccio with truffle, pear slices and poached quail egg and the 3 Kinds of SSAM Bap (especially the one rolled in bacon).

Overall, it was a great opportunity to enjoy a unique meal at a relatively new restaurant to support a worthwhile cause.

The restaurant decor is contemporary cool, the food presentation is all about small portions on either over-sized or funky-shaped plates and although I was satisfied by the end of the meal, the portions really were very mini and the service was slow (was about 15 minutes between each course).

This month’s BJ FOoDIES had a great turn-out with the restaurant totally booked out and in the end, they raised a total of ￥4,123.50 RMB for the Children of Madaifu.

About the Children of Madaifu Charity Organization:

The NGO’s mission is to address the needs of orphans, abandoned children & street children in deprived areas of China by giving an allowance to foster families to provide for their fundamental needs and education The aim of the program is to give hope and dignity back to these children. The association also supports projects aimed at helping the children – directly or indirectly -, on a material, financial, educational or medical level. It also assists the schools and teachers.

For more information: www.madaifu.org

LumDimSum Snapshots of BJ FOoDIES Dinner @ SSAM:

SSAM Contemporary Korean Restaurant Details:

• Address: B1-238 Tower 2, Sanlitun SOHO 三里屯SOHO 2号楼 B1-238
• Tel: 5935-9475

*To Join BJ FOoDIES Mailing List: Email bjfoodies@gmail.com

Support Japan: Mosto & MODO’s Charity Dinners

Both Mosto & MODO are both hosting generous charity dinners this Wednesday, March 23 from 6PM-10:30PM with 100% of revenues going directly to Japan. Proceeds will all be donated to the United Nations World Food Program and the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation aid program in Japan.  This evening is a great way to contribute to their fund raising efforts to support the Japanese population in need.

MODO is offering 7 dishes + free flow wine to share between 2 people for RMB 390 per person and Mosto is offering a 5 course menu with paired fine wines for RMB 490 per person.

Reservations Required – Call 5208-6030

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2010
• Time: 6:00-10:30
• Location: Mosto & MODO
• Address:
  • Mosto – 3/F, Nali Huayuan, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, 三里屯北路81号那里花园3层
  • MODO – Located between Karaiya Spice House and Tony Studio on 3rd Floor of Sanlitun Village: S10-31, 3/F, Bldg 8, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Rd 三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区8号楼S10-31
• Cost: RMB 490 per person for Mosto & RMB 390 per person for MODO
• RSVP: Call 5208-6030

BJ FOoDIES: ‘Heart’ Charity Dinner at Kro’s Nest

With heart-shaped pizzas and a spotlight on community outreach group Heart to Heart Shanghai, BJ FOoDIES’ ‘Heart’ Charity Dinner is a wonderful warm-up to Valentine’s Day this year.  Hosted at the new Kro’s Nest, enjoy a “Feast of Luv” 4-course set dinner with a drink included for only RMB 100 per head.  Now that’s real love.

BJ FOoDIES “Heart” Charity Meal

Cost: ￥100/head includes dinner + milkshake, coke float or cocktail drink

KRO’S NEST’s ‘Feast of Luv’ Menu:

POTATOES & SUCH:
1. Onion Rings
2. Chili Spice Kurly Fries

+ glass of milkshake, coke float, alcoholic tipple

Cost: RMB 100 includes Dinner Menu + Drink

“Indulge for a Cause”

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, February 13, 2010
• Time: 7:30-10:30
• Location: Kro’s Nest
• Address: 35 Xiaoyun Lu | 霄云路35
• Cost: RMB 100 includes dinner menu + drink
• RSVP: E-mail BJ Foodies Team - bjfoodies@gmail.com

February Charity Theme: ‘Heart to Heart’

Heart to Heart Shanghai provides support and financial assistance to needy Chinese children who require heart surgery to repair their congenital heart defects.

LumDimSummary: Haiti Rise 2.0

While many are familiar with the immediate destruction and catastrophic damage of the 7.0 earthquake just west of Port-au-Prince in Haiti on January 12, 2010, many don’t know about the devastating after-effects of the earthquake. In the weeks following, there were 59 aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 or greater, there was a the cholera outbreak in October 2010, Hurricane Tomas in early November 2010 and political violence after the November 28th elections, which have all left Haiti in shambles still.

One year ago, JUMP! foundation and LumDimSum launched the Haiti Rise Campaign to raise immediate relief post-earthquake. Garnering tremendous support from the Beijing community, together we raised over RMB 430,000 in just two weeks, which were donated to Partners in Health (www.standwithhaiti.org) and Global Potential (www.global-potential.org).

One year after the initial Haiti Rise Campaign, JUMP! hosted an informational event on January 12th, 2011 featuring Tara Yip-Bannicq, Haiti-based humanitarian aid worker who has spent the past year and a half in Haiti working in community development, shelter, child protection and youth engagement.

“I have yet to encounter a single Haitian who has not been directly been affected by the earthquake whether through losing a family member, a limb or a house. The sheer magnitude, not of the quake itself, but of it’s overall effects, is what is the most devastating.” – Tara Yip-Bannicq, Haiti-based Humanitarian Aid Worker

Due to the damage from the earthquake, consequent tsunami, coinciding hurricane, local economy and lack of inherent infrastructure present in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas of the epicenter (Leogane and Gressier), it is estimated that over 3 million are directly affected with over a million people still living in IDP (internally displaced person) camps, which lack basic access to clean water and latrines, making it the perfect environment for cholera to spread.  Other problems that continue to plague locals are the lack of jobs available to people and the sheer amount of rubble that has yet to be cleared.  Lack of funding for rubble removal and the question of where to put it all, are hindrances to clearing the rubble, making it hard to rebuild Haiti.

“Overall, Haiti is a very frustrating place to work, both personally and professionally due to the all-encompassing obstacles (lack of functioning government, lack of infrastructure, cholera, security restrictions (lack of personal freedom), etc, etc) but it is also very rewarding work. A friend of mine recently described Haitian culture as really ‘getting under your skin’ in a good way; meaning this vibrant, resilient culture and people really inspire me, as cliche as that sounds.

There is a lot of work to still be done in Haiti and there will be, probably for the rest of my lifetime, at least. So, if anyone is interested in helping out either financially or volunteering, for a week, a month, 3 months, I highly recommend the following community-based initiatives, which are doing a lot of good from the bottom-up; horizontally; and top-down.”

*If you are seriously considering volunteering in Haiti, Tara requests that you contact her first (tara@jumpfoundation.org) so she can properly brief you about staying/working in Haiti and make sure you get in with the organization of your choosing.

List of Organization Recommended by Tara Yip-Bannicq:

Community-based initiatives:

1. European Disaster Volunteers (Edvolunteers.org): volunteer driven, registered charity that does post-disaster reconstruction through community-based work, both structural and educational.  *Tara’s top pick
   • US link specifically for disaster recovery: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/edv-haiti-disaster-recovery/ (specifically for Disaster Recovery)
   • US link specifically for education for children: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/education-for-children-in-port-au-prince/?rf=matched3x (specifically for Education for Children)
   • Any donations made to EDV via US links with the mention of Haiti Rise or Beijing will be matched 3 to 1. Thus, a donation of $1 would become $3 ifHaiti Rise or Beijing is mentioned in the donation.
   • UK link: http://www.justgiving.com/project/1777657
2. Grass Roots United (Grassrootsunited.org): a globally deployable, non-profit, emergency response model and pioneering transition to capacity building. GRU connects affected communities with volunteers, resources, and partner relief organizations.
3. All Hands Volunteers (Hands.org): a US-based NGO providing hands-on assistance to survivors of natural disasters around the world, with maximum impact and minimum bureaucracy. (*where Tara first got her first taste of disaster response/relief in Indonesia)
4. Resilience International (Resilienceinternational.org): international organization working to build a new, sustainable model for community-based recovery after disasters.

Youth-focused initiatives:

1. The JUMP! Foundation (Jumpfoundation.org): an international NGO that envisions a world where young people fulfill their true potential as individuals, community leaders, and global citizens. It provides experiential education and leadership training to youth all over the world, and a percentage of its revenue supports youth-focused development work in Haiti, Cambodia, and China.
2. Global Potential (Global-potential.org): a project of Globalhood, which aims to provide urban youth from low-income communities with the skills and perspectives to affect positive change in their lives, communities, and the global community.
   • Haiti Open Space Youth Conferences: a collaborative project between JUMP! and Global Potential that brings together youth from rural and urban neighborhoods in the US, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic to discuss issues relevant to Haiti, especially those that are often forgotten. Past topics have included the reconstruction of Haiti, sexual orientation, racism, and HIV/AIDS.
3. Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights (Heartlandalliance.org): a NGO that helps people living in poverty or danger improve their lives and realize their human rights. Through its diverse programs, Heartland Alliance serves people in the toughest circumstances including survivors of violence, torture, war, and people living in extreme hardship or poverty.
4. Nouvelle Vie Youth Corps (Nouvelleviehaiti.org): a project of the International Association for Human Values through which Haitian youth are rebuilding their country through community empowerment and sustainable community development progra

LumDimSum Snapshots of Haiti Rise 2.0:

LumDimSummary: BJ FOodies ‘Shelter’ Dinner

Last night, BJ Foodies hosted their monthly “Indulge for a Cause” foodies event at Mare restaurant to support The Starfish Project charity organization.

With an incredibly generous menu by Mare, guests enjoyed 7 tapas dishes, 3 main courses to share and 4 desserts and a glass of beer, wine or sangria all for only RMB 120 per person.

LumDimSum Snapshots of BJ FOoDIES Mare Dinner:

SAUTEED FOREST MUSHROOMS/ STIR-FRIED CHORIZO WITH POTATOES

AUSTRALIAN GRILLED BABY LAMB CHOPS/ DEEP-FRIED POTATOES W/ SPICY BRAVA SAUCE

SIZZLING GARLIC PRAWNS AIOLI/ ANDALUSIA-STYLE CALAMARI & BABY SQUID

ROASTED SPRING CHICKEN/ MIXED SEAFOOD GRILL

GRILLED ENTRECOTE STEAK W/ TRUFFLE SAUCE/ TIRAMISU W/ FLAKES OF CRISPY CHOCOLATE

HOMEMADE LEMON SORBET W/ CAVA/ MASCARPONE CHEESE CAKECHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE W/ ICE CREAM

Highlights of the dinner at Mare were the Grilled Baby Lamb Chops, Deep-fried Potatoes, Roasted Spring Chicken and Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert.

With a great turn-out of over 85 guests (some were even turned away because there were no more seats left!), BJ Foodies raised a total of ￥3,325.20 RMB for Starfish Project.

“Our goal at Starfish is to empower exploited women…and see every woman valued.”

About Starfish Project

Restoring Hope to Exploited Women in Asia