My Dear Friends of our beautiful, adopted children at Akamasoa in Madagascar!
With the entire world still in a state of ‘induced’ disorientation, a dose of fear for the future, as small businesses, and the livelihoods of many are collapsing…
One day the Lucky Country, the following day the Big Camp of confinements and all kinds of limitations for the sake of a ‘temporary’ salvation…
In this atmosphere of hardship and with the self-preservation instinct in play, the Good Lord still makes His Way into the hearts of many!
In our Christian approach to the difficulties of life, especially poverty and unjust suffering, we are aware of Jesus associating Himself with those who go through these unpleasant and often tragic experiences of life.
Even without any kind of association with Christ, good people moved by the challenging reality of the suffering of others, ‘activate’ in their hearts the attitude of solidarity and natural compassion and become part of this great endeavour called “Akamasoa” (“Good Friends”).
Ongoing restrictions relating to freedom of movement, made it a little difficult to gather all the butts of sold lottery tickets by the advertised drawing date. So, after consultation with all committee members of our association, the drawing date of this year’s lottery was moved to Saturday 4th of December.
Due to the local government elections, the Parish Hall at St Raphael’s was not available but Fr Thomas Alukka, the new administrator of the Parish, welcomed us at Mater Dei.
Preparation of the venue began on Friday 3rd at 6 pm. Jeannette Beaudoin brought all the necessary items for the transformation of the classroom into a welcoming, cosy space.
She was heartfeltly helped by Sinisita Filitoga, Marina Jean-Baptiste and myself.
After two and half hours of activities, we paused, and sipping a little cup of tea and enjoying a piece of cake, we admired the ‘new look’ of our space:
decorated tables ready to welcome finger food provided by “C’est Si Bon” patisserie (Nadia and Laurent Schwarz) and ‘French Cakes Sydney’ (Françoise Nicoloff and James Travouillon);
colourful flowers embellishing the place were contributed by ‘A & L Florist Supplies (Olivieri)’; and uplifting spirits drinks (champagne/sparkling wine with red and white wines) were supplied by the courtesy of ‘Valore Cellars’.
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The day of the lottery drawing began with the customary meeting of our SFRCC Committee to evaluate our past activities and make plans for the future. With God’s help our aim is ‘doing better’ by helping our thousands adopted children, providing them with sound education.
At around 10:30 am, we welcomed four representatives of the Italian Prayer Group from Ryde, followed by Mr. Anthony Knox (Honorary General Consul of Madagascar) and Mrs. Anne BOILLON (General Consul of France), joined later by Brother Ben from St Raphael and Fr Thomas Alukka.
After reciprocal greetings and introductions, we had time to talk, to share our stories, and our perception of the current situation in Australia and abroad, all accompanied by delicious finger food and drinks.
Then, around 12:30 pm, Mrs. Anne BOILLON assisted by Mr. Anthony Knox and our secretary Sinisita Filitoga conducted the drawing of our lottery.
I’d like to express once again my heartfelt appreciation to those who generously contributed to this lottery and congratulate the winners who can now enjoy their prizes:
- Bowerhaus*White Baroque Pearls Necklace with matching earrings valued at $2200.00 – donated by Elizabeth Lee won by number : 4829
- Oil painting (“The Glass House Mountain. QLD”) by David Robert Hill valued at $1300.00 – donated by the artist, won by number : 4951
- Bowerhaus White round Pearls Necklace (adjustable length) with a four-leaf-clover; diamanté clasp + matching dangling earrings at $1,000.00 donated by E. Lee, won by number : 7584
- Chivas Regal Scotch 4.5 ltvalue of $379.99 + Voucher $200 (to be used in store to purchase wines only) donated by A. & F. Valore from «Valore Cellars», won by number : 5521
- Bowerhaus Baroque Pearl Enhancer valued at $550.00 (This piece of jewelry was chosen by Her Excellency the Honorable Governor-General Margaret Beasley AC QC to wear of her official portrait) donated by Elizabeth Lee, won by number : 7628
- Voucher $500.00 donated by «Cadry’s Persian Carpets Specialists» at Edgecliff valid one year, won by number : 2353
- Voucher $500.00 from Myer – donated by Nadia Fortuné, won by number : 7276
- Voucher $500.00 from International Ceramics, won by number : 5750
- Gourmet hamper valued at $280.00 – donated by Guy Roose from «Apromo Pty Ldt», won by number : 5812
- Gift Basket valued at $150.00 – donated by «GJ Food», won by number : 1162
- Gift basket valued at $100.00 donated by Sybra & Harry Hunt, won by number : 2393
- Voucher valued at $100.00 (2x$50) donated by «Ganache Pâtisserie Française» at Castlecrag, won by number : 4781
Buying this tickets, we took a part of the great project called “Akamasoa” in Madagascar. It was funded by Fr Pedro OPEKA (see http://www.perepedro-akamasoa.net/) in 1989. For the last 32 years it provides an urgent temporary relief to 25000 (16000 children) of the poorest of the poor through: getting children to the primary, secondary and tertiary education; providing vocational training; providing health care; building family housing for the homeless; providing employment through the activities of the association and outside; accompanying the return of families without work in villages and towns of origin and providing access to services for all poor of the neighborhood. May Almighty GOD reward your goodness with His blessing!
*Bowerhaus policy on raffle prizes: Though all raffle items donated are valuable, they have no monetary value toward exchange// or upgrade; however, they still bare Bowerhaus’ pride of good workmanship. (8000 tickets printed)
This was followed by the degustation of very, very delicious cakes (enjoyed by all) provided by the French patisseries mentioned above.
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After our distinguished guests’ departure, the following members of our committee: Jeannette Beaudoin, Marina and Denis Jean-Baptiste, Françoise and George Maurice and myself, returned the state of the classroom to its previous condition and we left the place at 3:20 pm.
In conclusion, I would like to renew my heartfelt gratitude to all who, during our 23rd (2021) appeal for help to the poorest of the poor in Madagascar, by their spiritual support, generosity in donations and amazing spontaneity in providing the items for our sales, made this 23rd fundraising a wonderful success despite the hard times!
Worthy of special mention are our benefactors of the poor, Jeannette Beaudoin, Michele and Bernard Fortin, Sybra and Harry Hunt and Elisabeth Lee, who provided many precious items for sale from Madagascar and locally made artefacts.
Thanks to the generosity of all the participants, final results of this 23rd fundraising are as follow:
Donations: 130,531
Sales: 4,121
Lottery: 15,210
TOTAL: 149,862.00
May the Good Lord, through the prayerful intercession of our beautiful children at Akamasoa, remember us at the hour of our needs, especially when one day leaving behind us all the material environment, we would hear Him welcoming us in His Kingdom of Eternal Jerusalem: Mt 25, 21; 34; 40…
Yours grateful in Christ for your faithful friendship of good hearts: Fr Jan
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Avec Les enfants d’Akamasoa nous vous souhaitons un joyeux Noël et une heureuse Année 2022 pleine de santé et de paix.
With our children of Akamasoa we wish you a joyful Christmas and a happy Year 2022 filled with health and peace.
On Thursday, 13 January 2022 our SFRCC Association made the direct transfer to Akamasoa account the final sum not requiring tax deductibility: $ 93,272.00 ( USD 65,206.46 )
Catholic Mission on the 22 February made the direct transfer into Akamasoa account $ 50,931.14 (EUR 32,198.67), after deducting 10% in administration fee.