The Taipei International Women's Club last Friday received a NT$200,000-donation from Advanced Digital Broadcast, one of the world's leading designers and developers of cable, satellite and wireless integrated receiver decoders.

The money will go to the club's education fund and benefit foundations offering training and career-enhancement courses to Taiwanese women, TIWC President Maria Rybicki says.

"We want to introduce programs that will have long-term benefits to the community," Rybicki explains. "What I would like to emphasize is for our members to pass on their knowledge to young Taiwanese women," says Rybicki.

The TIWC is comprised of more than 250 women from more than 20 countries. Its multinational and multilingual nature offers its members networking opportunities.

(On Saturday, June 17, the TIWC) held its annual Christmas bazaar to raise funds for (Cathwell Services) a Catholic association, which Maria Rybicki says will be supported by TIWC for a year.

"We think it will be more meaningful if we support one organization for at east a year. So instead of simply donating money, we will be volunteering our services to the group."

The club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next month. Taiwan’s First Lady, Wu Sue-jen will be the key speaker at the celebration. The TIWC has one wish: To find a home.

"What I am hoping for is for somebody to help us find an office with two to three rooms. Right now, our documents, papers and magazines are all over the place. These are valuable things and we have to find a home for them," Rybicki says.

TIWC has a busy year ahead. Rybicki is currently putting together the content that will go into TIWC's Web site, including the club's early beginnings.

The group will also be working more closely with local women's organizations, including the Young Women Christian Association and the Rotary Club.