By Li Shouen, CCTV.com Panview editor-in-chief

The Commonwealth Society in Beijing (CSB) held its 24th Charity Gala at the China World Hotel on May 6. Around 600 distinguished guests, including diplomats from Embassies here in Beijing, representatives of organizations and also entrepreneurs, sponsors, etc., had participated.

Madam Rosanna Brathwaite, President of CSB, delivers a keynote speech. Photo provided by CSB

The annual event aims to raise funds through ticket sales, donations, raffles, silent auctions and other activities to assist children, women and the elderly in China.

The proceeds will be distributed among special charity organizations identified by the All China Women Federation (ACWF) and Roundabout Charities.

According to CSB, it has donated over 3 million yuan (about US$430,000) to several under-privileged communities in several provinces and municipalities nationwide between 2012 and 2016.

As for future plans, the President of the Commonwealth Society in Beijing and Spouse of the Ambassador of Barbados in China, Madam Rosanna Brathwaite, said in an email interview with CCTV.com,

"I think that CSB has room to grow by working with more embassies, International organizations and the private sector to collect more funds for the underprivileged. This year, we had a very nice balance of guests attending our Gala and this will help to create more awareness of who we are and our role in the society."

As President of CSB, especially with this charity activity, different from most other foreigners who only have chances to see those modern cities, Madam Brathwaite has visited some under-previledged places across China.

She told CCTV.com that what was most touching during her visits, were about the handicapped and how they could help uplift themselves to showcase their talents despite physical limitations. She added, "it is much easier to help someone who is trying to help themselves."

The CSB was founded in 1993, by spouses of Commonwealth ambassadors in China's capital city. Membership comprises of female diplomats, spouses of diplomats and other (female) commonwealth nationals in the country.

They raise funds in support of local charities, social and educational activities in China and to foster cultural exchanges between the peoples of China and Commonwealth countries.

The list of organizations supported by CSB include, the Children Hope International (CHI) Foster Home, Bethel Foster Home for Blind Children, Langfang Orphanage, Blue Sky Healing Home, Fujia Blessed House and Hebei Maoeryan Primary School among others.
  
(The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com)

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