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Algarve |
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Friends of Cambodia appeal
• 12 Apr 2007 •
 ALGARVE residents, Geraldine Willcox MBE and Gita Nasta, co-founders of the charity Friends of Cambodia, are organising a fund raising event, ‘The Art of Dining’ on April 19 at the Pestana Alvor Praia Hotel.
The display of 21 tables provides an insight into table settings as seen around the world. A similar event held in November 2005 was hailed a great success, with a variety of table settings that prompted interest and artistic flair.
This year, one of the tables will be laid in Chinese New Year style and another to resemble a French country home. One setting celebrates the coming of spring and Kathy Lancaster of the Village Inn is setting her table for afternoon high tea. Agnes Defrance has agreed to lay a splendid table, in contrast to the Cambodian table, which will have a frugal hill tribe theme.
For 19 years Geraldine worked in Japan, becoming Executive Director for International Refugees. During that time she visited Cambodia, developing respect for a population that remain cheerful despite adversity.
Gita Nasta, a teacher at the International School in Porches, has similar warm feelings about the Cambodians, especially the children.
“In many remoter areas of the countryside they are deprived of education,” she says.
From her visits to Cambodia, she notes that despite 30 years of war and destruction heaped upon them by the Khmer Rouge, the people show a positive enthusiasm for life. Diseases and landmines continue to take lives and many children are unable to go to school.
Geraldine goes on to say: “Our charity is aimed primarily at helping children from the hill villages of northern Cambodia. We provide boarding accommodation beside a school. The school is run by the state but without sleeping accommodation and free meals, children from distant villages could not attend. We are also funding eight University students who will go on to become teachers in villages where there are currently none.”
Some people have asked Gita and Geraldine why they have chosen to support a project that is so far away, rather than raising funds for deprived children in Portugal.
Gita explains: “Every child living here receives an education. In many parts of Cambodia this is not the case. Without basic skills such as counting and reading, Cambodian children have no way of improving their lives. Furthermore one euro in Cambodia can buy a great deal, making it possible for us to improve many children’s lives. We have to hope the Art of Dining will attract many people so we have more funds to send on to the project.”
Tickets cost 10 euros with all the money reaching the project leader in Cambodia and none wasted on administration costs. Tickets are available on the day at the door of the hotel. The charity links people who are fortunate enough to live in the Algarve with some of the most needy children in the world.
Opening times from 11.30am until 8.30pm. For more information, visit: www.friendsofcambodia@world.net.pt |  Return to Top
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