Concert to raise funds for needy families

The New Zealand Association of Fiji Teachers is organising a musical night this month to mobilise financial resources to fund its programme of helping needy families in Fiji and New Zealand.

The programme, called, ‘Yeh Shaam Aaapke Naam’ will be held at 730 pm on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Mt Eden Memorial Hall, 487 Dominion Rd in Balmoral, Auckland.

David Reddy, who was elected to the post of Publicity Officer at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association held on March 16, said that all the artistes had agreed to perform free of charge to assist in the charity drive.

“Tickets priced at $25 are available with the office-bearers of the Association and include entertainment and free vegetarian and non-vegetarian food,” he said.

Donation appeal

“We appeal to people unable to attend the programme to donate money to be spent for a worthy cause. Donations, which are eligible for the normal tax rebate of 33% under the New Zealand tax laws, can be remitted to the Association’s account at any branch of ASB Bank (Account Number: 12-3034-0214465-00),” he said.

Mr Reddy said that the Association is registered as a charity organisation in New Zealand and that it has been progressing well with sound finance management.

“We concluded another financial year with a record number of donations to the unfortunate and needy families in Fiji, affected by devastating floods and hurricane last year. We continue to receive an increasing number of applications for assistance, especially to provide education for poor children,” he said.

Impressive drive

He said that the Association, with ‘Brighter Future for Children’ as its motto, assists the needy, disadvantaged and poverty-stricken schoolchildren in the pursuit of their education in Fiji and New Zealand.

“We are proud that despite being an infant organisation with limited resources, we have so far collected $28,786, of which, $16,000 was mobilised last year. Forty-two families have been beneficiaries so far, with 24 of them receiving funds in 2012,” Mr Reddy said.

Members the Committee visiting Fiji for work or personal reasons at their own expense, take time to visit affected areas and distribute the money collected, he added.

“We have kept about $14,000 in reserve for relief work in Fiji and New Zealand for providing lunches to children from poor families and books for school libraries.”

Among the officials elected to various posts at the AGM were Satya Swami (President), Chandra Prakash, Inder Deo, Hari Goundar (Vice-Presidents), Vinod Naidu (Secretary), Kamlesh Chand (Assistant Secretary), Nar Deo (Treasurer), Bikeshwar Prasad (Assistant Treasurer), David Reddy (Publicity Officer), Radha Reddy, Ridhi Swami and Nand Kumar (Committee Members).

The first picture here shows standing (from left), Satya Swami, Chandra Prakash, Indar Deo, Vinod Naidu, Hari Goundar and Nar Deo. Those seated (from left) are Kamlesh Chand, Radha Reddy and Ridhi Swami.

The second picture features beneficiaries of a school in Fiji