Hostal Peña Parda in La Herradura, Costa Tropical, Southern Spain, glistened, glittered and groaned with merrymakers on 18 June as over one hundred very warm people got together for the Shingirirai Trust Fundraising Charity Gala.

We’d all come together to raise money – €1400 of it – for the Trust’s Skills Development program. Some of the money is going into training workshops for teenage girls, one of the most vulnerable groups the Trust is working with. (Girls with earning skills are less likely to be forced into prostitution or early pregnancy).

Another chunk of change will fund a new workshop for caregivers. As HIV/AIDS continues to take lives, very young or elderly women often become responsible for orphaned young family members. The Caregiver workshops help them with nutrition, parenting and child development know-how, so they can give these kids the best possible start.

Finally, (because every cent works as hard as the staff at Shingirirai Trust!) the rest of the funds will go to skills workshops for the women working on the ECLD (Early Child Learning Development) program. This pre-school program teaches eight vital educational and social skills through play, to orphans and vulnerable kids aged three to six years.

As we manfully and womanfully munched our way through three courses of traditional Andalucian fare provided by Juan of the Peña Parda, we were serenaded. By Teresa Karcher, a graduate of the distinguished Guildhall School of Music in London; by singer/songwriter Keiva Stewart, and by 13-year old summer visitor Maeve O’Gorman, a Shingirirai Trust supporter for the past two years.  Fiona Morrisson’s deep tones made her a great music act and MC.

Singers were accompanied by vivacious pro keyboard man Russell Nash from the ‘Look It’s Music’ studios. Tony on blues and David the Disco kept everyone moving. Some more neatly than others; the Costa Tropical Line Dancers led by Val stepped out in perfect time for the Trust, and the raffle added a rafflish charm to the evening.

Mel O’ Gorman, founder of the Shingirirai Trust, was delighted that everyone’s hard work had generated much-needed funds. ‘I just want to thank everyone, the organisers, ticket sellers and backroom volunteers who made it such a success,’ she said.

What about you? What kind of event or activity could you dream up to raise money for the changemakers of the Shingirirai Trust?  Drop us a line in the Comments section of the blog, below – we’d love to hear from you!

Until next time….

Arpi Shively, Editor