Membership News

Membership Committee Chair Olga Ivanova

Membership Renewals are being processed now. Please remember that the deadline for Renewals is the June General Meeting. After this month, anyone who has not renewed her membership will be automatically taken off the roster, and will not receive the newsletter and other bulletins.

Everyone, even non-members are welcome to attend the meetings that are announced on the website, as long as they confirm their attendance; with the understanding that when there is a limit to the number of participants the priority will go to members.

Please make a habit of confirming your attendance for every activity, especially when the meetings are held at private homes, where you can only enter if your name is on the guest list. Please do not challenge the security personnel at the gates as they are only following instructions.

New applications are accepted until December.

Welcome ~

Yayoi Kiya (Japan) said when we interviewed her: “Hello, everyone, my name is Yayoi Kiya, please call me Yoi. I am from Japan and my husband works for the Embassy of Japan.We came to Dhaka in September 2003 from a previous posting in Washington, DC. I have a 9 year old daughter who is a third grader at AIS/D.

“I enjoy playing tennis, reading various kinds of books, practicing Japanese tea, and taking a nap! I have recently joined the Welfare Committee and am looking forward to being a part of UNWA”.

San Yi (Myanmar) holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Rangoon University. She is married to Mr. U Soe of UNICEF and blessed with three children. Their eldest daughter is working for FactSet Research Systems, CT after she finished her Master’s degree in Economics from Fordham University. Their son will graduate from PennState University this year. Their youngest daughter, Thida, is in her freshman class at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania after she finished her high school from the UN International School, NY.

San Yi worked for Burma State Timber Corporation for 14 years. She resigned in 1991 to accompany her husband who was reassigned to UNICEF Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She has since then been a dedicated mother and housewife. In 1998, San Yi and her husband moved to New York upon her husband’s reassignment. San Yi and her husband arrived in Dhaka on her husband’s transfer in July 2003 leaving their children in the USA.

Her interests are in reading, traveling and cooking.

Fond Farewells ~

Edith Campbell (Canada) has been in Bangladesh for two and a half years, with her husband Gerry, the Canadian High Commissioner. They have a daughter in university in Canada, and two daughters at the American International School. Edith has been very active with the UNWA Welfare Committee, visiting projects and assessing their needs. With the rest of the committee members, she was very helpful in formulating the guidelines for using the Welfare Fund.

Edith was also a member of the Book Club and the Asian Study Group. But she made time to spend some afternoons at the Canadian Club with a few artist friends. Edith’s love for singing made her a valuable member in the choral groups, The Morning Sky and Cantemus. She joined a group to critique the different restaurants in town. Edith also found the time to host last month’s General Meeting where Ericka Smith-Thomas gave a special performance for the Mother Day’s programme.

Edith herself said about their imminent move, “I really hate to leave. I have never been to a place where I met so many interesting people who actually became good friends. I will really miss our time in Bangladesh!” Well, WE will miss those times we had together. Good luck at your new posting, and keep in touch!

Machiko Kondo (Japan), UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, has been a valuable member of UNWA for the last three years. She was always ready to speak on the work of UNHCR worldwide and in the country. When the Staff Counsellor was visiting from Geneva headquarters, Machiko let us know about it as she remembered that we were asking questions about the rights of staff members and their spouses and stress management. Machiko kindly offered her house for a very successful workshop with some of our members and the Staff Counsellor.

Due to her work, Machiko was not able to attend many of our activities, but she always graciously made it clear by word and action that she was willing to help in any way, and that she was there to support UNWA. Thank you Machiko, and all the best wishes on your next move, keep in touch!