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My Dear Friends of the poor in Madagascar!
Last year we celebrated 20years of our perseverance in proving that our Humanity imprinted through God’s Image within us is bringing little bit of difference into the world, to those suffering all kinds of injustice, especially extreme poverty.
This year, for the 21st time, we gathered to share our wellbeing with 25000 poor with among them 15000 orphaned and abandoned children. Our help is going towards the education of these beautiful little ones and their medical attention when needed.
A detailed report of all activities at Akamasoa is available on www.perepedro-akamasoa.net
Once again, we are thankful to Fr Paul Monkerud, Parish Priest at All Saints in Liverpool for allowing us to use the venue for our Charity Night. Even though he couldn’t join us, he ‘popped in’ to wish us the best, for which we are grateful.
160 participants were welcomed to the place where, at the vigil of the event, two teams put their best talents into effect in order to make the Saturday 26th October event memorable and pleasant to all !
This year, the kitchen was at its ‘top brass’ under the direction of Anne-Claire JOSEPH. On the night of the event, she was coordinating a team composed of: Paul Aloir; Jacques & Nathalie Govinden; Denis & Marina Jean-Baptiste; Danielle & Gervais Joseph; Hervé & Joceline Juste; Bruno, Clara, Françoise, Thomas & Noah Nourdine; Rebecca Perrine and Dylan Tyrell. Mario Iunius (from International Ceramics) provided large in size oven.
In the preparation of the hall, Jeannette BEAUDOIN was assisted by: Malika & Peter De Zilva; Steve Du Casse with his son Jacques; Sinisita Filitoga; Bernard & Michele Fortin; Denis, Marie-Thérèse & Marina Jean-Baptiste; Andrew Jelavic; Françoise & George Maurice; Helène & Jean-Louis Worobec and Delphine & Noël Yandamutso. Brother Dr Patrick Lew form Ipoh in Malaysia with Fathers: Claudio Roberti and Leopoldo Feola from Madagascar were there also to give a hand.
On the attractively decorated tables were flowers provided by A&L Florist and wine by Valore Cellars from Carramar (VIP table) and Audrey Wilkinson from Hunters Valley (30 tables). Mineral water from Italy was generously offered by Lamonica IGA (Haberfield).
Looking at the abundantly furnished buffet, we could admire and appreciate the generosity of those who contributed to the satisfaction of the participants’ culinary expectations. These are the people who with big hearts made that dinner fabulous:
Paul Aloir ; Marie-Thérèse & Robin Barnes ; Rosa Cardoso ; Francesca Chow ; Guariana & Davide Giada (“Caffetteria Italia”); Jacques Govinden ; Mario Iunius (“International Ceramics”) ; Jocelyne Juste ; Maryse Maurice ; Steve Motte (“Label Baghette”) ; Françoise Nourdine ; Marina Peerbaye ; Joanne Perrine ; Marjorie & Dr Nino Sa-Cordeiro ; Nadia & Laurent Schwarz (“C’est Si Bon” Pâtisserie), Leanne & Didier Sockeel (“Ganache” Pâtisserie Française) and Maria Tomei.
Ky Chow proved once again his MC talents, Philippe Etienne accompanied our event with background music and unforgettable entertainment was provided by our famous accordion Maestro Ross Maio and our brave Elvis (Steve Du Casse).
The majority of pictures from this event were taken by Dasi Chow and some by Jeannette Beaudoin, Pierre Brunet and few by myself; video was provided by Rosa Cardoso.
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Worthy to acknowledge was the generosity of our volunteers, who not only gave their time and provided wonderful services, but at the same time contributed financially as a gesture of thanksgiving to God for the blessings they are enjoying in their daily life, being able to do ‘something extra’ to Jesus suffering in the poor (in this case at Akamasoa in Madagascar).
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That evening we were honoured by the attendance of the Bishop Emeritus Peter Ingham; General Consul of France Anne Boillon with her husband Boris; Brother Dr Patrick Liew (Director of the Catholic Hospital Fatimah in Ipoh – Malaysia); Fathers Claudio Roberti & Leopoldo Feola (Missionaries form Madagascar), Sister Telesia Talalua (long years serving the sick from New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna in the hospitals around metropolitan Sydney) ; Fr Wills Melteras (newly appointed chaplain to the French speaking for the Archdiocese of Sydney); Conor Nolan (from Catholic Mission); Christina Daley with her little son (longstanding supporter of our event) and on behalf of the Honorary General Consul of Madagascar, Anthony Knox at the event: Lorna & Lavasoa Andriamora.
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We enjoyed a very moving message form Fr Pedro surrounded by his/our little adopted children… Even though he was speaking in French, the majority of us could feel the meaning of the passional words describing his 30 years endeavour in which we ourselves are humbly proud to participate.
In my little speech, I expressed my great and heartfelt appreciation to all our participants and especially those who voluntarily gave their time in the kitchen and to those involved in the preparation of the hall as well as our longstanding benefactors.
My sincere appreciation will not take away the recognition/thanks they will be receiving ‘one Day’ from God… I did not like to spoil this privilege for them, that is why I did not thank them individually, but I express my heartfelt appreciation to them for being a wonderful part of the team with me.
Then our guests from Madagascar addressed our gathering: Fr Leopoldo in Italian and Fr Claudio in French. They expressed their admiration for what we are doing for our poor at Akamasoa, and encouraged us to continue such a noble activity.
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It is important to mention that our three guests: Br Dr Patrick Liew, Fr Leopoldo Peola and Fr Claudio Roberti were among us thanks to the generosity of Francesca Chow who offered each of them return tickets from and to Madagascar and Malaysia.
Between the meal, dancing, talking to the friends at the table and moving around, a lot of us enjoyed ‘shopping’ at the stall of Francesca Chow (furnished with items donated by herself, Jeannette Beaudoin, Rosa Cardoso, Lily Liew, Katarzyna & Wojciech Serafin (Wawel Import Export), Leanne & Didier Sockeel (Ganache Pâtisserie Française), Maria Tomei, and Joëlle Vrisakis) and ‘venturing’ through the silent auction, which was run by Sharon & John McDivitt with Yvonne & Christopher Reddy (items generously donated by Betty Lee and Joëlle Vrisakis).
Time for dancing was followed by a delicious desert and then came the lotteries’ draw prepared that night by Camilla and Alain Creugnet The ‘great’ lottery was drawn by Mrs Anne Boillon and the ‘lucky door’ by Sister Telesia Talalua.
I’d like to acknowledge the generosity of our faithful benefactors of this year lottery and congratulate the winners:
- Bowerhaus* Old Hollywood Tripe Strand of 8, 10 & 12 mm of graduating white pearls necklace with a pair of earrings valued at $2800.00 – donated by Elizabeth Lee; won by number: 5601
- Oil painting (“Sydney Skyline”) by David Robert Hill valued at $2500.00 – donated by the artist; won by number: 9632
- Bowerhaus Old Hollywood 12mm round white pearls short necklace & earring set valued at $1200.00 given by E. Lee; won by number: 2832
- Bowerhaus White round pearls necklace (adj. length) & earring set valued at $1000.00 given by Elizabeth Lee; won by number: 1671
- Vintec wine fridge V30SGM with 30 bottles of wine value of $1000.00 donated by A. & F. Valore from «Valore Cellars»; won by number 5439
- Voucher $500.00 donated by «Cadry’s Persian Carpets Specialists» at Edgecliff valid one year; won by 5635
- Voucher $500.00 from Myer – donated by Nadia Fortuné; won by 8361
- Voucher $500.00 donated by Dina & Mario Iunius from International Ceramics; won by number: 9082
- Gourmet hamper valued at $280.00 – donated by Guy Roose from «Apromo Pty Ldt»; 4738
- Voucher valued at $150.00 for ‘Bella Fonte’ Restaurant at Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool valid until 31/01/20; donated by Sybra & Harry Hunt; won by number: 1217
- Voucher valued at $150.00 for ‘Bella Fonte’ Restaurant at Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool valid until 31/01/20; donated by Sybra & Harry Hunt; won by number: 5926
- Gift Basket valued at $150.00 – donated by «GJ Food»; won by number: 3702
- Gift Basket valued at $120.00 – donated by «Petersham Liquor Market» (unavailable; substituted by cash) won by number: 3326
- Gourmet hamper valued at $100.00 donated by «Ganache Pâtisserie Française» at Castlecrag; won by number: 3392
Lucky door prizes were provided by our generous friends of the poor: Jeannette Beaudoin, Liliane Dubourdieu (before her Wonderful Departure to the Heavenly Jerusalem), Anne-Marie Puaud and Nadia & Laurent Schwarz.
Our 21st Charity Night concluded with a habitual performance of our admirable Elvis…
Members of our committee joined by some of the participants restored the hall to the pre-event conditions, and last to leave the place just before midnight, were Jeannette Beaudoin, Sinisita Filitoga and myself.
I am keeping in my heart and prayer all those, especially the main contributors to our help towards Akamasoa, who prefer to remain anonymous and asking God to gather us – according to His will – again in 2020 for our 22nd Charity Night at the same venue on Saturday 24 October.
Hopefully Fr Pedro Opeka will honour us with his presence.
Up to today we can thank God for the following result of this year fundraising:
Donations: 102452
Lottery: 19224
Sales: 5028
Silent auction: 880
TOTAL: 127584
Grateful in Christ: Fr Jan
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P.S.
If I inadvertently forgot to mention some people, I apologise for it and leave it to the Almighty to ‘compensate’ them with His blessing!
Please note we are still accepting donations for this year until the end of December.
On Tuesday, 7 January 2020 our SFRCC Association made the direct transfer to Akamasoa account the final sum not requiring tax deductibility: $97,474.01 (Euros 57,265.98)
The rest (less 10% for the administration fee) will be forwarded by Catholic Mission at the beginning or February.