PARTICIPACION´
This photo was taken during the delivery of the funds that were raised for the IDB employees in Haiti.
The picture includes Ericq Pierre (Haiti Director) and Naderge Sorin (Supervisor, Office Maintenance, IDB
office in Haiti) with the IDB President, Luis Alberto Moreno.
Editorial Committee
Communication Division
and Collaborators,
IDB Family Association
Please send your comments,
suggestions and contributions
for the next edition to:
Coordinator Bank/Association:
Roxana Arias
One Democracy Center
6901 Rockledge Drive - Suite 110
Bethesda, MD 20817
graphic design| carla nano
Printed by
Williams Lea Inc.
2
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 301-493-6576
PARTICIPACION´
Message from the President
Dear friends:
A new edition of Participation is in your hands and we have so much to
share!
First of all, I would like to emphasize the successful outcome of the
Meeting of Governors that was held in Cancun where an historic amount of
replenishment funds was obtained. This does not represents only statistical
data but an enormous responsibility to assist in reducing the poverty index in
Lucia Lopez de Aguerre
the region, a mission underscored by President Moreno during the Assembly.
Every employee, Division and also the Family Association should be committed in fulfilling this goal.
During these last months, the IDB Family Association approved assistance for a number of programs
in Latin America and the Caribbean through the Social Projects Program as well as the A Friendly Hand
Program and encouraged the Associations based at the Country Offices to support social projects as
one of its most important activities of integration.
We felt the commitment to support the people of Haiti following the earthquake that struck on January
12 this year. For this reason we participated both in the first collection organized by the Bank as well as
in organizing the second collection for our IDB colleagues in Haiti. In addition, we are raising funds to
send over a program called Clowns without Borders that will bring a smile to the children of Haiti.
We extend our thanks to the Bank’s leadership for all the assistance it is giving Haiti and which is being
channeled by different means in order to carry out the work of reconstruction at different levels.
I would also like to share that we worked together with the IMF and WB for the third consecutive
year on the successful “Teen Summer Program” through which thirty two teens performed summer
internships at the three institutions.
We also joined efforts with the Staff Association, Young Connection and the Human Resources Division
by successfully organizing the Bank’s Annual Picnic for the second year.
We continue working with Human Resources Division offering assistance and information to all new
employees and their families before they are transferred to Headquarters or to the representations, as
well as supporting the Family Associations of the Country Offices with the same mission.
I would like to invite you to visit our office-- whether to enjoy our services, share a good time or work
as a volunteer—and ask that you keep in mind that in November we will hold our Annual Assembly
and the election of the next Board of Directors.
Lastly, I would like to thank all those that make our days more pleasant and invigorate our work.
Anyone related with the Association knows that leading a group of volunteers is no simple task, not
to mention satisfying so many and different needs. We, the Board of Directors and volunteers make
a great effort, we give our valuable time, energy and knowledge to accomplish our mission; but we
know that all is capable of being perfected. A wonderful and efficient group of volunteers has been
formed recently with new comers, former Board members, long-time volunteers, professionals, retirees
and friends, so we invite you to join us.
“Don’t just go where the path leads you; go where there is no path and leave your footprints there”.
Lucia Lopez de Aguerre
President, IDB Family Association | Washington DC
July | September 2010
3
PARTICIPACION´
UPDATE FROM THE COUNTRY OFFICES
Author: Elizabeth Solorzano
COLOMBIA:
Dear friends:
I would like to thank all those members that have
given their time to welcome those families who
have transferred among the different countries.
Since the VI Meeting held last October, some of
the participants have moved to other countries
and as a result have received the help of their
companions at the country of destination. This
has meant a great support, especially in emotional
terms, for those families needing to transfer.
News from the Country Offices:
BRAZIL:
At the end of March, the Family Association of Brazil
organized a bingo to raise funds for our Haitian
colleagues. The $2,000 raised was deposited into
an open account set up for that purpose.
Among the highlights of the 2009 activities are the
following:
•Boat cruise on Lake Paranoa.
•Solidarity Bazaar to benefit the Pestalozzi Society
– Brasilia. This is an institution that cares for
disabled people with motor or mental challenges
who have no family or who come from low-income
families.
The Family Association collected 711 dollars for
our Haitian colleagues.
Other events include the publication of a useful
information Bulletin and the organization of a
very successful annual bingo.
Congratulations!!!
COSTA RICA:
The Family Association has a new Board of
Directors since April 2010:
President: Sheri Scott- De Leon
Treasurer: Yhovana Carrion
Secretary: Sonia Bendix
Pro-Secretary: Aruna Radhakrishna
The outgoing President, Katia Engler, made an
exhaustive report of her tenure where much
was done to further integration of the families,
relations with other international organizations
was promoted and different types of assistance
were organized to benefit social centers.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:
Elections for the new Board of Directors were held
in March:
President: Ivelisse Gil Pelletier
Vice President: Luis Jaquez
Treasurer: Anna Cristina Torres
Coordinator of Communications and
Education: Alejandro Erazo (support)
Coordinator of Social Projects: Laurence
Telson
Events Coordinator: Luis Cesar Acosta
Secretary: Griselydis de Fermín
Brazil Bingo: Mirta Glasman,
Ma. Teresa Brito-Vazquez, Beatrice Mellinger,
Sammia Villalba and Sammia Cristina.
BOLIVIA:
A modification to the by-laws was made during
the Assembly and the following was established:
“The Board of Directors shall be elected for a term
of two years and can submit itself for re-election
for no more than one consecutive term”.
HAITI:
The new Board of Directors was elected and was
installed in May 2010.
President: Patricia Barros
Treasurer: Daniela Debacco
Congratulations on your appointment and we
appreciate your goodwill.
4
We received the following email from the
representative of Haiti in appreciation for all that
was raised for our Haitian colleagues.
“Dear Lucia and Elizabeth:
On behalf of the IDB team in Haiti I would like to
formally thank the Employee Association and the
Family Association for all the effort and energy you
PARTICIPACION´
have put forth in organizing the “Let’s Help Our
Colleagues in Haiti” campaign that was lead by
you and Ariel Rodriguez. The contribution of each
employee or member of these associations to this
campaign confirms the sincere desire to help your
Haitian colleagues.
The grand total of what was raised (USD $50,893.46)
will be distributed equally among all the colleagues
that work at the IDB Office in Haiti. The funds will be
utilized by them to cover their immediate needs.
As you know, we will hold a simple ceremony at our
Country Office where we will hand out the checks in
the next few days.
Once again, I thank you for this excellent initiative.
Eduardo Marques Almeida
Representative”
PERU:
A donation of US$1000.00 was made to the
program A Friendly Hand, which will help to keep
running the Psychological Intervention Program
for the Children of the Tupac Amaru II District in
Pisco, one of the cities most devastated by the
earthquake in August 2007.
VENEZUELA:
As a result of Venezuela’s participation in the VI
Meeting of the Family Associations in October
2009, the Board of Directors of the Venezuelan
Family Association was appointed in April 2010.
The Board is comprised as follows:
President: Naily Contreras
Vice President: Xiomara Aleman
Treasurer: Fabiana Papaianni
Secretary: Carmen Teresa Martin
NICARAGUA:
Election held for the Board of Directors of the IDB
Family Association in Nicaragua.
In the context of Mother’s Day (May 30), the IDB
Family Association in Nicaragua held elections to
appoint the members of the Board of Directors
of the IDB Family Association. The event was
attended by all employees, local and international
retirees along with their respective spouses.
The leadership is composed of the following:
President: Mauricio Garcia - International Staff
Vice President: Flor de Maria Pilarte - Local Staff
Treasurer: Laura Sanchez - Consultant
Secretary: Sobeida Castillo - Local Staff
Fiscal: Alma Reyna Selva - Local Staff
Vocal: Raul Rivera - Consultant
PARAGUAY:
A solidarity luncheon was held on May 22 with
the assistance of the families to benefit a former
intern who is suffering from a brain tumor.
Likewise, on that same occasion we welcomed all
newly arrived families and we held a very exciting
Easter egg hunt.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO:
URUGUAY:
We held a very charming and entertaining Gaucho
Fiesta.
“Little by little we will harvest what we patiently
started to plant.”
The new Board of Directors was appointed in
March and is constituted as follows:
President: Veronica Velez-Burgess
Treasurer: Narcisa “Nani” Vieira-Castillo
Secretary: Dorri Agostini
Congratulations and please accept our appreciation
for taking on the challenge of putting in to practice
the scheduled activities.
July | September 2010
5
PARTICIPACION´
Bidding farewell
to friends…
Author: Lucia Lopez
S
omeone, years ago said
to me: “Don’t get sad at
goodbyes… goodbyes are
necessary so you can meet again.
And meeting again, after some
time or a lifetime, is inevitable if
you are true friends.”
At the time, these words didn’t
make much sense to me but today
I remembered them as I have to
say goodbye to two members of
our Executive Board -Paloma and
Gina- and our volunteers Maria
del Carmen, Natalia y Silvia
In working for an international
organization I learned to make
friends at each destination. I
learned how to laugh and cry with
them but I don’t know if I will
ever learn to say goodbye. I also
learned that finding a good friend
is difficult, letting them go is
even harder; but forgetting them
is impossible. This is what will
happen with these friends who,
with their joy and generosity, won
a place in our great family.
Dear Gina, Paloma, Natalia, María
del Carmen and Silvia: Remember
that you never leave a friend
behind but rather you take a part
of us with you and leave a part of
you with us.
I feel very fortunate for having
met these friends for whom it is
difficult for me to say goodbye…
Have a great trip and best of luck
to you!
Lucia Lopez and Paloma Bonaplata
6
APPRECIATION
Author: Macame Bouza
Through these means I would like
to share with you what the Family
Association did for me during a
difficult time.
About two months ago I suffered
a health problem. At no point did
I ever feel alone; I received much support but most
especially, I felt great love from the people that
comprise our numerous family.
I feel it is important for me to tell you about my
experience not only as a means of expressing my
appreciation but also to show all those who still do
not know the Association or who have not become a
part of it, that in this space they will find the support
and company we may all need at some point in our
lives.
WELCOME COFFEE
Author: Maria Ines Cabrera
D
uring the months of April and June,
the Association offered its traditional
Welcome Coffee for all those families
that have recently transferred into the
Washington, DC metropolitan area. This
occasion is always a timely one in which to
invite all recent arrivals to join the great IDB family, provide
them with practical and convenient information so they and
their families may better adapt to the new environment, share
experiences and exchange knowledge.
The new members in attendance were:
Daniela Greverath • Alemania
Soledad Acoroni • Argentina
Carmita Jaramillo • Ecuador
Patricia Pulido • Colombia
Giuliana Seravalli • Costa Rica
Jade Alvarado • México
GRETCHEN’S BABY SHOWER
PARTICIPACION´
Autora: Maria Ines Cabrera
W
ith much joy and the usual camaraderie on
May 7th we held a baby shower for our
dear Gretchen at the Family Association’s
headquarters which was decorated in festive attire.
In a very relaxed and enjoyable setting and in the company
of sixty five people we shared in a delicious brunch, played
entertaining games with prizes for those brave enough
who took on the challenge and above all, we celebrated
and laughed with Gretchen and her generous belly named
Sofia.
One of the most moving moments of the celebration was
when José Carlos, the honorees’ husband, made a surprise
visit and presented her with a beautiful bouquet of roses.
An emotional mother-to-be later opened each one of the
many presents and thanked us and moved us to tears with
the warm words we are transcribing here:
Gretchen Rodriguez and Lucia Lopez
measuring Sofia
“First of all I would like to thank you for all the time and effort you dedicated to planning this
celebration. I would especially like to thank Ines, Sarabett, Macame, Natalia, Roxana, Josefina and
Rebecca.
I also want to give my heartfelt thanks to the Board of Directors
of the Association in particular, you, Lucia for allowing this
celebration to take place here.
I also thank all of those who have been sharing this very special
moment with me and, of course, all of those who were unable to
come today. To all of you: many thanks for your gifts and above all
else for your expressions of love.
Finally, my sincerest appreciation to all of you for the love, support,
kindness and consideration that you have always shown to me as
well as my family throughout the years that I have been at the
Association. Rest assured that none of it goes unnoticed.”
Amalia Morales,
Josefina
von Horoch,
Carmen Porras
and Gretchen
Rodriguez
Annual Assembly
of the Board of
Directors
Dear members:
I would like to thank
you all for the massive
support you gave us
for the vote on the new
By-laws that was held
in a General Assembly
on June 11.
These were approved
by a wide majority and
are at your disposal.
If you would like, we
can send them to you
through email.
Lucia Lopez de Aguerre
President
IDB Family Association
Washington DC
July | September 2010
7
PARTICIPACION´
Happy Feet
Author: Alicia Pappa
T
his is my third year taking part in what is a wonderful
Family Association. I began by being a Spanish
teacher for the older children and know I have been
given the opportunity to work with the little ones. All
of them would see their older siblings or friends taking
Spanish classes and they would cry and wish they could
do it too—a typical hallmark of this age where fits and
meltdowns are the order of the day. This gave us the idea
to offer them a space for recreation that would also allow
Alicia and Rebecca with the Happy Feet kids.
us to provide them with some language enrichment.
For me it was a great challenge to begin to work with
my little three year old “happy feet”. It made me very happy to see them begin to express themselves
through their scribbles, physical games and songs. Through classic stories they learned colors, numbers
and began to learn how to play in groups. They know that everything must be shared and enjoyed as a
group including the much awaited visit by the wolf and the must-do game of the rotten egg.
What’s important is that through play and practically without them realizing it, they learned every day
Spanish vocabulary in a vibrant, happy and entertaining setting.
I thank you all for trusting in me and in Rebecca in this undertaking which required much effort, energy
and creativity but which had filled us with great pride and satisfaction.
Our efforts are rewarded day after day each time our little feet run happily to give us a hug.
I hope our little “Happy Feet” continue to join us.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR 2010
Author: Regina Prince
We will be holding our Annual Christmas Bazaar this coming November
18 in the beautiful atrium of the IDB headquarters located at 1300 New
York Ave NW.
This year the leadership of
the Family Association has
decided to hold the event for
one day only. The registration
forms have been sent to all
interested participants and can
be submitted up until August
16th. If you, a member of your
family or a friend are interested
in participating, please contact
the Family Association office
at 301-493-6594 and we will
send you a registration form.
Our raffle will give you an
opportunity to win significant
prizes such as airline tickets
courtesy of American Airlines
8
and baskets full of gourmet
products, among others.
More than fifty vendors will be
offering a number of high quality
products generally originating in
the different countries of Latin
America. At our table you will
find delicious home made dishes
that tend to sell quickly.
This event has been a major
source of income for our social
projects in Latin America and the
Caribbean. All funds raised are
disbursed by means of selecting
the beneficiaries through the
lists we receive from the different
Family Associations in the Country
Offices. Priority is given to the
neediest institutions and after
the donation has been made, a
follow-up is conducted to verify
how the funds were invested.
This is a very important event
for the Family Association and
one that is very dear to our
heart given that it benefits so
many people that lack resources
in our own countries.
You can also lend a helping
hand by, for example, selling
raffle tickets on the day of
the event. We invite you to
participate and join us in an
event that is full of surprises!!
´´
PARTICIPACION
FILM PRESENTATION:
“THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES”
The experience of watching a film becomes something unique and oneand-only when one has the privilege of being able to talk personally with
the screenwriter and even more so when this takes place just a few days
after The Secret in their eyes has won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
T
he film was shown in the
Enrique Iglesias Room at
IDB Headquarters.
We
were able to enjoy this privilege
thanks to the efforts of the IDB
Family Association in Washington
through
our
Director
of
Education, Valeria Hornung.
The Secret in their Eyes is an
Argentine film directed by Juan
José Campanella, based on
the novel The question in their
eyes by Eduardo Sacheri. The
film debut shows a story of
love and death in the traumatic
Argentina of the 1970s and the
screenplay was written jointly by
Campanella and Sacheri.
The author’s message regarding
the success of the movie was
simple and direct: the novelist
and the director worked together.
For two years of arduous work,
both—very meticulous when the
approached the project-- argued
much, rested, argued some
more, rewrote and retouched
until filming began.
Sacheri tells that both wrote the
screenplay despite the fact there
were some scenes that convinced
him from a literary standpoint
but not from a cinematographic
one as far as how to resolve
certain situations. In any case,
the achievement was possible
given the director’s interest for
the author’s contribution and
the author’s wish to “hold the
basic reins of the story”.
He
also comments that while the
book he wrote was modified,
the spirit of the story and the
characters was safeguarded and
that is what concerned him the
most.
When asked, “When was the idea
for the movie born?” Sacheri
responds that the idea is very
old and occurred to him twenty
years earlier when he worked in
a criminal court in the Argentine
capital at a time where he had
not the slightest intention of
becoming a writer. Around
that time, he was studying for
a bachelor’s degree in History
and his professional goal was to
become an academic. However,
one day he felt the need to
recount stories and so he began
to write for a reduced public:
“my wife and my children”.
In this humble and simple way,
and clearly still emotional from
the celebration of the Oscar
win, this Argentine author and
screenwriter took some time
to talk with us, sign his books,
take pictures with us and tell
us about his work in general
and particularly his experience
since the film’s success (and by
association, his novel’s as well).
Elizabeth Solorzano, Roxana Arias, Valeria Hornug, Eduardo Sacheri,
Lucia Lopez and Gretchen Rodriguez
July | September 2010
9
PARTICIPACION´
Arts and Crafts
Classes
Author: Gabriela Roitman
Instructor
writes:
Gabriela
Roitman
“In just a few classes, my
students have been able to
design some beautiful pieces
shaped in aluminum or engraved
in foam. From our sessions, they
will always be able to enjoy their
creations of picture frames, tea
boxes, trays, mirrors, pictures
and, why not, a gift to send to a
loved one far away.
Above everything else, one
of the most wonderful things
that will stay with me from this
experience with the IDB family
is having met people where the
instructor-student relationship
went much further and true
friendships were made.
I would like to thank all of you
for the opportunity you have
given me.
Thank you
Gabriela”
Para mayor información sobre estas
clases, llamar a la Asociación.
SPANISH CLASSES
FOR CHILDREN
Would you like your
children to retain their
Spanish language and
learn to read and write
in your language?
At the IDB Family Association
we offer classes at all levels
for children as young as
five years old. For more
information, call us!
10
English Reading Group
Author: Elizabeth Solorzano
ith our teacher, Sara Brau, we dedicate ourselves to “take
apart” books and in so doing we practice the language,
we increase our vocabulary and we learn a little about
everything such as English literature and different language uses.
Of course, we also enjoy a pleasant discussion.
W
What I enjoy the most is learning about the opinions of other
participants regarding different subject matters presented by the
authors.
For next semester the proposed selections are:
• Tuesday, October 19: Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth
• Tuesday, November 16: Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
The meetings take place from10 to12 am.
We will announce the rest of the schedule at a later time.
Latin American Literature
Reading Group
Moderator: Monica Morley
Coordinator: Maria Ester Sakamoto
We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 12 noon at the
Family Association. Everybody is welcome!
For our upcoming meetings we will be reading:
September 16: El Viajero del Siglo (Traveler of the Century)
Andres Nauman | (Argentina) 2009 | (Alfaguara Prize 2009)
October 21: La Cruz Invertida (The Inverted Cross)
Marcos Aguinis | (Argentina) 1970
November 18: El Material Humano (Human Matter)
Rodrigo Rey Rosa | (Guatemala) 2009
January 20: Chiquita (Premio Alfaguara 2008)
Antonio Orlando Rodriguez | (Cuba) 2008
PARTICIPACION´
Fall and Winter Trips and Activities for the whole family to enjoy
Author: Lucia Lopez
Fall is the perfect time to enjoy trips outdoors and
take in the beautiful changing colors of the leaves
that range from orange to gold and even red and
purple. There are trips for the entire family.
Here are my recommended locations along with their
website addresses:
• Visits to the vineyards: Very interesting
cellars where you can taste a variety of different
wines. (www.virginiawinetours.com and www.
monticellowinetrails.com )
• Cunningham Falls State Park: You can
go fishing, take a hike, mountain climb or go
camping.(www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/
western/cunningham.asp)
• Excursions to national parks: depending on
the time of year and personal preference. (www.nps.
gov)
• Luray Caverns: in the Shenandoah Valley. It is
worth making this trip at any time of the year and
I recommend that you visit the Garden Maze. You
can stay overnight at nearby hotels and also visit
Shenandoah National Park which offers one of the
most beautiful views in the area in the Fall season.
(www.luraycaverns.com)(www.visitshenandoah.com)
• Cross the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry:
(www.nps.gov). Afterwards you can go all the way
to Leesburg and visit the antique shops and store
outlets. You can print discount coupons at (www.
premiumoutlets.com)
• Visit colonial Williamsburg and Busch
Gardens: an amusement park that is very close to
the colonial city. (www.colonialwilliamsburg.com)
• Visit farms: where you can see fruit and
vegetable crops. (www.strawberryfarms.com , www.
allaboutapples.com, www.marylandagriculture.com)
•Visit Amish country: in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
(www.amishfarmandhouse.com , www.paduthc.com)
•Visit Hershey Park: an amusement park and
chocolate factory in Pennsylvania. (www.hersheypark.
com)
•Visit the Franklin Institute Museum: in
Philadelphia and be sure to see the Cleopatra
collection that will be on exhibit from June 5 through
January 2, 2011. (www.fi.edu)
• In Washington, DC: you can visit all the Museums
of the Smithsonian Institution which are free and
offer a variety of activities and exhibits throughout
the year. www.smithonian.org). The Air and Space
Museum, the Natural History Museum and the
Newseum (don’t miss the 3D movies) are ideal for
children. Another wonderful museum for children
of all ages is the Spy Museum. I recommend that
you purchase tickets in advance. ( www.spymuseum.
com)
•Mount Vernon: Visit George Washington’s home
any time throughout the year. The website will list
special events such as a wine tasting scheduled for
October 1. (www.mountvernon.org)
As the winter season and Christmas get near, try
these:
•Gaylor’s National Christmas, a spectacle of lights
on ice. You must buy tickets well in advance because
they sell out in just a few days. (www.gaylordhotels.
com/gaylord-national/christmas-on-the-potomac)
•Light Spectacular at the Zoo for Christmas
(purchase tickets well in advance) and other activities
throughout the year. The entrance to the zoo is free
as it is also part of the Smithsonian Institution. (http://
nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations)
•Mount Vernon by candlelight. Special
Christmas related events begin November 27. (www.
mountvernon.org)
•White House and National Christmas Tree.
A great lighting ceremony is held for which you will
need a ticket that should be purchased in advance.
(www.nps.gov/whho/national_christmas_tree_
program.htm#CP_JUMP_108461). You may also visit
the White House by registering at the White House
Visitor’s Center located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, between 14th and 15th streets from 7:30 to 4.
•Ice skating. Cabin John Ice Rink is open year round
and you can rent your skates and purchase a ticket to
use the rink. Ice skating classes are also offered for all
ages. (www.cabinjohnice.com)
•For day or weekend skiing:
1. Liberty www.skiliberty.com
2. Whitetail www.whitetail.com
3. Wisp Resort www.wispresort.com
If you like to ski and plan on going more than once,
it’s worth getting season passes which include ski
lifts, equipment rental and a skiing lesson.
You can also go snow tubing which is suitable for all
ages and lots of fun.
July | September 2010
11
PARTICIPACION´
Spouse Career Networking
Happy Hour
Author: Gorana Sipic
T
he IDB Family Association and the Human
Resources Office in cooperation with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World
Bank (WB) invited spouses/partners to a Networking/
Happy hour event at the IDB Headquarters on
January 21, 2010.
The IDB terrace, beautiful and relaxing, as described
by one of those present, gave us an excellent
opportunity to get to know each other and interact
with one another, share ideas, information and
experience on different matters related with our
professions.. We heard from spouses who were
successful in their job search and found the job
of their dreams here in the Washington, DC area.
Helio from Brazil, Maria del Carmen from Bolivia
and Carlos Armando from Mexico shared their
successful experiences with us and inspired us to
continue in our search.
At the same time, the painting exhibition by three
artists (Brigitte, Isabelle and Gonzalo, spouses of
employees from the three institutions) gave us
an idea of their beautiful work and, why not, of a
possible career.
We also played bingo, which was not just
informative, but fun.
This Happy Hour was truly global. There were
representatives present from different departments
of the IDB, IMF and World Bank, employees and
spouses of all the nationalities and professions.
We saw people exchanging business cards and
telephone numbers to pass along leads on jobs,
university programs and even babysitters, according
to a spouse present.
“I hope there are many more similar occasions” was
somebody else’s thought a sentiment we share and
agree with wholeheartedly.
We anxiously await the next networking event in
the near future.
Inez Lambregts, IMFFA Career Networking Chair;
Sheila McKenna, IMFFA Spouse Career Adviser;
Gorana Sipic, IDBFA Spouse Career Chair
IMPORTANT
ACCOMPLISHMENT
FOR SPOUSES!!
As you know, by 2009 the Bank had established
agreements with the governments of Ecuador,
Peru and Trinidad and Tobago so that our spouses
or partners could work in these countries without
having to obtain a special visa or endure a long wait
for a work permit.
As a result of the efforts of Country Representatives
and Staff in the past year the Bank, through its
offices in Panama, Chile and Costa Rica, has now
come to a similar agreement with the Government
of Panama. In addition, the Bank is in the final stage
of negotiations with the governments of Chile and
Costa Rica for the same. While progress has been
admittedly slow, we are at least moving in the right
direction.
Did you know...?
Did you know that it is advisable to name guardians for your under age children in case decisions
need to be made in a medical or other emergency and parents are not present? If you would like
more information you can visit to the following websites:
http://www.free-legal-document.com/free-temporary-guardianship-form.html
http://www.formsworkflow.com/d61435.aspx
http://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/child-travel-consent/?loc=US
12
PARTICIPACION´
SOCIAL PROJECTS
PROGRAM
Coordinator Ana Maria Menezes
What are the right decisions when
faced with a tragedy?
That is the question we posed ourselves when the
earthquake struck Haiti. Seeing the devastation
everywhere and the rising death toll by the minute,
we at the Association were perplexed and saddened
as we thought of our friends and colleagues on
the island. We had to respond before this painful
reality with our support even if it was just a drop of
water in the ocean. And we did.
HAITI TOTAL: $ 5,292.25
• Help for emergencies
(Family Association’s donation duplicated amount by the IDB) $ 2000.00
•Donation for required medicine
for the amount of: $ 2,292.25
• Help to IDB Haiti’s coleagues
(Family Association’s donation duplicated amount by the IDB) $ 1,000.0
Birthday Celebration
The Family Association extends its Happy
Birthday wishes to all those members
and volunteers celebrating a birthday during the first
semester of 2010:
Natalia Leborgne, Monique Priess,
Carmen Rabade, Soledad Arrivillaga,
Karin Alatorre, Regina Prince, Gloria Requena,
Alicia Ballestracci, Analia Castagnino,
Olga Aguirre, Monica Morley, Analya Nuñez,
Dionne Standford, Macame Bouza, Flavia Bes,
Josefina Martinez, Nancy Bernal,
Maria Victoria Gutierrez, Gabriela de Armas,
Elizabeth Solorzano, Maria Isabel Sarria,
Lucia Lopez, Veronica Peñaranda,
Maria del Carmen Araujo, Jane Pilla.
In the meantime, other project requests arrived
at our office and were reviewed in order to best
respond to these needs:
ARGENTINA
•Foundation Transit Home of the Jesus Child:
Purchase of electrical appliances $ 1,900.00
ECUADOR
•Jaime Polit Alcivar School:
Construction material for the
building of a classroom for
an elementary school REMEMBERING EXCEPTIONAL
VOLUNTEERS (R.I.P)
$2,000.00
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:
•a) Batey Estrella Center:
Donation to open a water well in a very needy
community $2,000.00
•b) Francisco José Cabral Lopez Education Center:
Rebuilding of school restroom facilities used by more than 500 children during three
different periods $2,000.00
TOTAL
Veronica Peñaranda, Ma. Isabel Sarria,
Elizabeth Solorzano, Gabriela De Armas and Lucia Lopez
$ 13,192.25
We were truly very busy but at the same time,
pleased to be able to direct our efforts to helping
others.
Mr. Phillip Dewez, a great enthusiast of the Family
Associations of many countries in which he lived
died in Haiti during the earthquake earlier this
year. During the last five years Mr. Dewez was
in El Salvador, Guatemala and Haiti providing
unconditional support to each of the Associations.
As a retiree in Haiti, his last destination, Mr. Dewez
was a member of the Family Association of Haiti and
participated in its many activities. We will always
remember him fondly.
Mrs. Nena Cendales Sanchez, President of the IDB
Family Association in Washington, DC from 19821984, died in Bogota, Colombia. Her dedication
to the IDB families during her time as a volunteer
was admirable. Members of the IDB Family Group
in Colombia and many retirees accompanied the
family during her funeral services on Tuesday, May
22, 2010 at the Santa Bibiana Church in Bogota.
July | September 2010
13
PARTICIPACION´
Author: Orlando Reos
F
OPERA AND BALLET GROUP
or several years now a
group of opera aficionados
has been getting together
to share and learn about lyrical
song and ballet but especially
to listen to beautiful works of
music. Every two weeks during
opera season at the Kennedy
Center and other theaters in
the area, we meet to hear from
Alfonso Uribe who leads our
sessions.
Alfonso
is
profoundly
knowledgeable of this subject
who can not only explain to
us the argument of an opera
but also tell us the details
regarding the life of its writer,
the historical setting of the
characters, the personality of
the librettist, the circumstances
of the theater owner where the
opera opened and sometimes
certain “oddities” surrounding
the original artists.
To hear Alfonso is a pleasure
because in addition to being an
erudite expert of the passionate
world of this artistic genre,
he is extremely pleasant and
entertaining. The group that meets
regularly includes every one from
the highly knowledgeable and
habitués of lyrical poetry to those
of us that come to the meetings
with barely a knowledge of the
title of the work or the name of
the author. We have been able
to appreciate Luciano Pavarotti,
Plácido Domingo, Montserrat
Caballé, but also Erwin Schrott
or other less known singers who
have nonetheless moved us with
their interpretations.
Be it Mozart or Rossini, Verdi or
Wagner, whoever the author,
these get-togethers give us
the opportunity to appreciate
Mothers and Fathers Group
Of the cruise on the beautiful Spirit of Washington we have only
praise for the staff. We also wanted to express to you the joy we
felt in sharing some time together at the luncheon and dancing,
which took us all back to our youth with such lively music as
boleros, cumbias and salsa.
Upon our return to the Bank we were welcomed with coffee and
invited to a movie screening of The Secret in their Eyes.
Memorable days such as this always leave their mark: the
lady volunteers of the Association always have a wonderful
appreciation and respect for seniors.
The spirit of service at all stages of life elicits a great sense of
gratitude towards those who offer some of their own time for
acts such as
this.
Thank you,
always.
Elida and Jose
Crespi
Mothers and Fathers
group having a great
time at the cruise
14
fantastic stories,
beautiful voices
and all the magic
of chance of the
genre in question.
Oh!, let’s not forget the
empanadas and the wine. In
this brief summary of the
group’s meetings we cannot
forget to mention that the
meetings have the attractive and
additional incentive of allowing
us to savor some exquisite
empanadas along with wine.
Imagine for a moment the
pleasure of listening to an aria
of Don Giovanni while enjoying
a Malbec or Chardonnay. Like
the well-known commercial
says: priceless.
For several years now, Josefina
and now Alicia have taken much
care of our group with warmth
and exemplary efficiency.
Thank you,
Bolivar!
After several years of serving
as Coordinator of the Opera
and Ballet Group, our friend
Bolivar Cobos is retiring. On
behalf of the Board of Directors
and all the participants of this
wonderful group we would like
to express our appreciation for
his dedication and assistance in
coordinating this activity. Bolivar
always stood out for his positive
attitude and enthusiasm as he
carried out his role as a wonderful
host who made our members feel
very much at home. In addition to
expressing our thanks, we would
like to invite all members to
nominate themselves as volunteer
coordinators of this group,
which year after year follows
the Kennedy Center’s event’s
schedule with the guidance of
Alfonso Uribe who delights us
with his knowledge and passion
for the arts.
PARTICIPACION´
BICENTENNIAL OF THE MAY REVOLUTION
Author: Valeria Hornung
O
n May 25, Argentina
celebrated
the
bicentennial of the
Revolution.
What took
place in 1810 was the
beginning of a revolutionary
political change that would
lead to a long, unfortunate
and bloody war in which
the Spaniards came very
close to claiming victory
on many occasions. It was
decisiveness, force of will
and the conviction of some
of the revolutionaries that
prevented that outcome.
Now then, why do we recall
something that happened
200 years ago in Argentina
while we are here in the
United States? What is the
point? What can the image
of that “First Junta” tell us
that all of us, Argentines,
don’t already know well
through statues, paintings
and street names? What do
the men of May have to do
with our uprooted, absent,
faraway lives? I do not have
the answers, of course, but
answering them is worth the
effort. Perhaps it is because
of this curiosity to find
meaning to that invisible and
sinuous connection between
the Argentine past and our
present that I pursued a
career in History. I always
find myself carrying out the
silent work (although today
I was moved to write about
it) of questioning whether
a relation exists and what
the links are between them
and us… I feel that if I am
incapable of finding that link
there is no point to being
moved when an Argentine
film wins an Oscar, nor any
need for me to follow my
country’s informative dailies
every morning, nor that in my
The Empire State of New York lightning
with the argentine flag colors, on May 25
2010, to celebrate the bicentennial.
core there stands a feeling
of unalterable identity.
In May of 1810, the revolution
was not in the minds of
all the citizens of the port
lands but in those of some
initiates or predecessors.
Today I have the impression
that these revolutionary
spirits gaze at us in silence
from the statues, paintings
and the streets that were
named after them. They
watch us in the midst of our
crisis. They watch us in our
triumphs. They watch us
in our uprooting. How can
we respond to such a gaze,
the gaze of those men who
dreamt of a new nation of
Argentina? The gaze of
those men who did what
could not be done. What
nobody dared to dream.
Surely today we have other
changes to face, other
dreams to dream. The enemy
may be different and he may
be living among us or maybe
it is within us, within me:
disillusionment, corruption,
lack of will, disunity, apathy.
I believe we have plenty of
guilty parties to blame and
many powerful ones to
which we can surrender.
But careful: we also have
a chance to do what the
leaders of May of 1810
and their men did: come
together, make an effort
and stand up to the daily
challenge of forging a great
Nation into which we can
all enter without leaving
anybody behind.
I do not know if 200 years
from now somebody will
ask themselves the same
questions. I do not know
who in our generation
of Argentines will merit
a painting, a statue or to
have a street named after
them. We can try. Despite
the distance, our uprooted
nature, and the fact that our
children are being raised in
foreign lands, the Nation is
up to us.
July | September 2010
15
PARTICIPACION´
Summer Experience:
Teen Summer Program
Author: Antonella Tellez
Summer Program participants with the IDB President, Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno
S
itting in a room full
of strangers, a very
professional-like room,
confusion
entered
my
mind, as I questioned to
my self, “What am I going
to do here?” There was a
large table in the middle
of the room and office
chairs all around, even
fancy microphones in front
of every chair, the silence
made sitting feel awkward.
Looking around the room
I realized a colleague was
wearing the same skirt as
I was. Embarrassment was
my first reaction, then I
16
realized what were the odds
to be wearing the same
skirt and it turned out to
be an icebreaker. We both
laughed about it because it
gave us something to talk
about.
The Teen Summer Program
hosted mainly at the World
Bank, IDB, and IMF offered
a variety of activities to help
us (the teens) learn more
about various jobs in these
large corporations. Some
jobs even surprised me, like
an actor working in the IDB
for a musical program to
help children in developing
countries
get
inspired
and to learn goals and
discipline, or a veterinarian
working at the World Bank
with livestock, we learned
to understand how various
career fields could contribute
to different projects of the
WB, IDB, and IMF. The first
few presentations were very
quiet, not many questions
were asked because nobody
wanted to be the one to
raise their hand and ask
a question that would be
considered dumb, but as
the program progressed,
everyone progressed as
PARTICIPACION´
(From page 18)
well. The last presentations
became
the
longest
because of all the questions
asked and the presenters
answering it to the fullest
so we could understand.
However, the best part of
the program in my opinion
was the friendships and
networks that were created
from scratch. Its amazing
how in just 3 short weeks
you get to meet so many
different people, and realize
how easy it is to make
friends. We all bonded
through the activities we
participated in together
(art activity, Mary’s Center,
Iceland Project), lunches
we shared, and just getting
together at Starbucks after
the program. We got to
know individuals who have
been to different parts of
the world, from South Korea
to Zimbabwe to Bolivia to
France.
Overall,
the
Teen
summer Program was an
unforgettable experience
made possible by the
time and work all the
coordinators,
presenters,
and volunteers put in, I
would like to thank all of
them. The friends we made
will last a lifetime, and the
knowledge gained was
beneficial to help guide us
and help us think about
all the possible careers we
could choose from for our
future.
IDB Annual Picnic
Author: Roxana Arias
On July 23rd we celebrated our annual picnic. Close to 2000 people
came out to Bretton Woods in Potomac and enjoyed an spectacular
day.
Not even the 104 degree (40 C) heat got in the way of people having
a great time! As in the case of last year, the Family Association was
in charge of organizing the picnic along with Human Resources, the
Employees Association and Young Connection.
There were activities to suit all tastes and ages: table games, arts and
crafts, potato sack races, face painting, a train, a moon bounce and
a waterslide. The colorful Family Association tent was full of children
and adults who, while cooling off under big fans to get some relief
from the very hot day, enjoyed a variety of games, took home prizes
and participated in the activities we had to offer.
The volunteers of the Teen Summer Program entertained the little ones
and the not-so-little ones with their dancing to children’s music, salsa,
merengue and the ever popular limbo dance and electric slide.
The food also contributed to making the day a perfect one; Fresh
salads, chicken, hamburgers and lots of fruit were served and for those
with a sweet tooth, shaved ice and ice cream, water and sodas helped
to relief the hot day!
The sports events were organized to perfection. Participants played
soccer, golf, volleyball, basketball and tennis.
This year we had transportation service from the metro to the country
club and from the parking lot to the activities zone. No detail was left
to chance!
To all those who attended, participated, helped and cooperated THANK
YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH, till next year!
July | September 2010
17
PARTICIPACION´
PLAYGROUP
Author: Olga Aguirre
The playgroup activities
for the first semester of
2010 have concluded. As
coordinator, I feel very
pleased to see how the
children enjoyed the activities
we planned throughout
all these months. It was
also wonderful to see how
happily they interact with
each other. This undoubtedly
is a great motivator for me
to continue heading up this
group.
Now we look forward to
the second semester which
brings with it very special
activities that will allow
us to propose some new
ideas and think of more fun
for our youngsters.
The
activities we are planning
for this coming period will
revolve around:
•The arrival of Fall
•Halloween party
•Thanksgiving Day
•Christmas
I would like to cordially
invite members who have
children between the ages
of 5 and 10 to join us and
start becoming a part of
this community; I guarantee
your little ones will have
a wonderful time and we
adults will enjoy some time
to talk, learn about each
other’s culture and discuss
other things of interest,
which I am sure will
amount to a very pleasant
afternoon.
18
Space Day
Author: Esteban Cherquis, 9 years old, a Spanish student
of the Association’s language classes
Activity organized by: Gonzalo Ruiz, IMF spouse
The other day at the playgroup we
had a terrific time! I loved it because
a famous painter came by to tell us
about Space Day. First the gentleman
showed us a video about the planets.
Then he talked to us about the solar
system, astronauts, galaxies, comets
and spaceships. He told us how in the
past there were nine planets but now
Pluto is no longer considered a planet.
I already knew that because I love to
learn everything about space!
All of us kids drew and painted things
related to space and we glued everything
together to make a collage.
I loved the snack! We had chips, oreos
and juice.
We always have an awesome time when
we go the playgroup at the Association.
I hope you’ll want to come too and have
a great time, learn a lot and do some
fun activities.
Don’t miss out! Come to the playgroup!
Esteban Cherquis (9 years old)
PARTICIPACION´
Shared moments...
1.
1. March and
2.
April Volunteers
Birthdays
celebration.
2. Face Painting
during the Annual
Picnic at Bretton
Woods
3. Everybody
came to Gretchen
Rodriguez’s Baby
Shower!
4. Play Group
4. activity
5. Proud moms
wearing the hand
painted aprons
made by the “Play
Group” kids
6. Spouse Career
3.
5.
6.
group Happy
Hour at the IDB,
coordinated by
Gorana Sipic
7. Elizabeth
Ordoñez, Patricia
Acosta, Elizabeth
Solorzano and
Gloria de Requena
at the Happy Hour
at the IDB
8. Fun activities
at the Annual
Picnic at Breton
Woods
7.
8.
July | September 2010
19
Clowns Without Borders offers
laughter to relieve the suffering
of all persons, especially children,
who live in areas of crisis.
They bring their contemporary
clown/circus oriented performances
into communities so that they can
celebrate together and forget for a moment
the tensions that darken their daily lives.
They also seek to raise our society’s
awareness of affected populations and
to promote a spirit of solidarity.
Asociación
Familias del BID
M
IDB
FamilydeAssociation
WE HAVE A GOAL...
The IDB Family Association is rasing
money to send 2 weeks of joy to the
kids in need.
We need your help!
You can make donations by check
made out to:
IDB Family Association
One Democracy Center
6901 Rockledge Drive - Suite 110
Bethesda, MD 20817
or
Make your donations of $10 and above
to the IDB- IIC Federal Credit Union:
“A smile for Haiti”
Account Number: 9418920
“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people”