Bazar International Donates €505k to Humanitarian Projects

The Bazar International de Luxembourg (International Bazaar) donated €505,000 to 48 charities after another edition of the Bazaar in November last year.

These results were announced at the annual ‘Remise de Cheques’ (cheque presentation) at the BGL BNP Paribas Bank in Luxembourg on Thursday 25 April 2024, where the charities received a symbolic cheque.

The cheque presentation ceremony is a moment of sharing and conviviality between the International Bazaar volunteers and the beneficiary associations. This year, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg was in attendance.

The "Remise de Cheques" ceremony also gives a small glimpse of the versatility of the humanitarian projects that International Bazaar has supported since its inception more than 60 years ago.

The humanitarian aid organisations that profit from donations from the Bazar International are diverse, but what they all have in common is that they help people in need, focusing specifically on victims of poverty, violence and/or social isolation.

Carmen Decalf, President of the International Bazaar, said: “48 projects were selected, of which three in Luxembourg and 45 in different continents. The financial support of the Bazar International aids charities that are very diverse in nature: medical support, social reintegration of young and vulnerable homeless or abused people, primary and secondary education, vocational training, therapeutical camps, and recreational activities, psychological support for children that have fallen victim to sexual abuse or forced marriage, help for families with seriously ill children, or the accompaniment of sick children at the hospital when parents are not able to join them. The list is long, and every project means a lot to us.”

The cheque presentation is a celebration of all those who receive financial aid from the International Bazaar. Ms Decalf added: “This is such a big moment for all those involved. The beneficiaries receive aid that makes a big difference for them, allows them to continue all the wonderful work that they do. And for us, it is a big celebration and a moment to look back on all the hard work we’ve done. The Bazar is growing, both in size and in popularity so our organisation requires tremendous dedication in time and energy to make it into the success it is. But this moment, giving cheques to deserving charities is what we do it for. The icing on the cake. It is both joyous and moving to know that with this fantastic result we can give so much support to humanitarian projects across the globe.”

Charity projects

 One of the charities that presented themselves during the Remise de Chèques is Babies Uganda. This organisation helps children and young people in Uganda in various ways. It runs an orphanage, a primary school and a school specifically for blind children. Disability in Uganda is still a taboo subject often leading to parents abandoning a disabled child, hiding them away or leaving them to die. The social judgments are immense. The school that is run by Babies Uganda provides a safe space for these children. More than 50 children currently receive free adapted education and daily meals. More importantly, they now have a sense of belonging and feel part of a group, the organisers of the Bazar International noted, adding that the donation of will cover the school fees of 50 children for a year.

Another project that was presented at the ceremony was the association CBM Luxembourg Foundation, an organisation that trains ophthalmologists in Angola to treat patients for a myriad of eye problems, with a focus on cataract operations and treatment. With the International Bazaar’s donation, two young doctors will be trained, allowing them to treat hundreds of patients for cataracts. This medical intervention provides support on many levels, as it enables patients to go back to work and provide for their families after the treatment. The implications of these two trained professionals are therefore far-reaching.

Principal project

The Bazaar selects a principal charity each year that receives a significantly higher amount than the other charities. This year’s principal charity is in support of Chance, Children against Cancer in Lebanon. This charity covers medical and surgical expenses for babies and children with cancer where there is no social security to cover those. The donation of the International Bazaar will cover the cancer treatment of some of these children.

Charities in Luxembourg

Three of the organisations to receive support from the International Bazaar are based in Luxembourg.One such association, Ambulanz Wonsch, fulfils wishes of bedridden and terminally ill patients who can only be transported by ambulance and with the help of medically trained attendants. The second association finances housing costs for single-parent families whose mothers are studying to find suitable work (Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse), and the third association provides medication and psycho-social support for people who are homeless or in extreme distress (Médecins du Monde Esch). The full list of charities is available at the following website: https://www.bazar-international.lu/charities/our-beneficiaires.

The International Bazaar also has an Emergency Humanitarian Aid Fund, which aims to provide support to victims of emergencies and natural disasters around the world quickly and efficiently. The record-breaking results of last year's Bazaar weekend helped to boost this fund, as natural disasters are becoming increasingly frequent, the organisers noted.