The Euro Weekly News Media18 Sep 2008
A GARDEN party and fashion show, to be held on September 26 in Carvoeiro, will raise money for the ‘Friends of Cambodia’ appeal. Guests are invited to make donations – a minimum of 10 euros is suggested – to support this worthwhile charity.
The event will commence with a welcome drink and Jean Pierre Braga will provide a selection of music throughout the evening, from six until 9.30pm. Jean Pierre, who has performed in the USA, Japan and throughout Europe, will be playing a repertoire of classical, jazz and pop music.
The truly charming outdoor setting and an opportunity to view a stunning collection of this season’s fashions, selected by Dutch fashion guru, Jouk, will make for an enjoyable evening.
The location, Quinta Salicos, is the home of Geraldine Willcox MBE, who worked in Japan for 19 years and, during this time, rose to become the Executive Director for International Refugees, visiting Cambodia on many occasions and developing a deep respect for a population who remain cheerful despite all adversity.
After retiring to the Algarve in 2004, Geraldine and Gita Nasta, a teacher at the International School, Porches, co-founded their charity, ‘Friends of Cambodia’.Despite 30 years of war and destruction heaped upon them by the Khmer Rouge, the people of Cambodia continue to show enthusiasm and positive hope for the future.
Disease, landmines and poverty still claim many lives and large numbers of children are unable to attend school.
Funds collected by ‘Friends of Cambodia’ are aimed primarily at helping young people from the hill villages in the north of the country. The money is used to provide boarding accommodation near their school. The school is run by the state but, without sleeping accommodation and free meals, children from distant villages could not attend.
The charity is also helping with the education of eight University students who will go on to become teachers in villages where there are currently none. A further donation has been given to a health project that targets mothers and babies. Focusing on reducing mortality by providing clean water and sanitation, the project also gives the mothers nutritional advice and health education.Gita and Geraldine believe that education is a key issue and that it is the right of every child to receive it. Without basic skills of counting and reading, the children have no way of improving their lives.
A single euro in Cambodia can buy a great deal, making it possible for the charity to improve many children’s lives. For this reason it is hoped the garden party will raise sufficient money so that more children are able to attend the boarding school and that funding for the University students, as well as the health project, can continue. All donations go directly to the project leaders in Cambodia and no money is wasted on administrative cost.
Tickets for the garden party are available on the day at the door or from Bar Bacchus at Porches Pottery or Terra, the organic farm in Lagoa.The charity links people who are fortunate enough to live in the Algarve with some of the most needy children in the world.
Contact (in English): - 282 343 446 / (in Portuguese): - 964 877 033
Website: - friendsofcambodia@world.net.pt
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