AIC Asia meeting in Bangkok (Thaïland)

21 representatives from the 6 Asian AIC member associations (Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan) met in Bangkok for their second regional conference, among them Sisters from Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan and AIC Thailand spiritual Advisor Fr.Benito Enano. Presentations on “Identity and role of AIC volunteers”, and “Systemic Change applied to local projects” by Anne Sturm, AIC Past-President and “The Role of Spiritual Advisers to AIC” by Rev. Fr. Manuel Ginete CM, Spiritual Adviser, alternated with the report of AIC Asia Animator Beatriz Pabito (Philippines) and the exchange of experiences, questions and answers and discussions. A bazaar was organized by AIC Thailand, to present the beautiful products created by women in AIC projects.
A particular mention for the inventiveness, the perfect organization, and the warm atmosphere of friendship showed by AIC Asia throughout the meeting.

AIC Taiwan

The young people take over

The association has been established since 2003. The principal characteristics of the existing AIC groups on the island are to be able to count on volunteers of all ages. Young and old, age is not a problem. The elderly wish to conserve their independence, thanks to a small source of income, while the young must face high unemployment and a difficult local economy. The projects reach all ages: improved education for destitute women, courses on sex education and computer skills for the young, visiting of the sick and elderly, rebuilding of houses in isolated areas, repair of housing… All these projects are being carried out, and the future is to train the local volunteers in each community, to motivate the young to be an AIC volunteer, also to utilise the Internet, and reinforce various partnerships within the Church, the communities and the government.