Punya Foundation, Australia organised a fundraising dinner to support the “Healthy Mother Healthy Child Project” in Nepal on April 6, 2019 at one of the local restaurants in the city of Playford Council in Adelaide. The major objectives of the programme were to raise fund in order:
- to create awareness among pregnant women of Lal Khola village in Nepal about the importance of antenatal check-ups
- to reinforce the importance of basic medication for both mother and child during pregnancy and to supply iron, calcium and folic acid through the pregnancies
- to contribute to reduce maternal mortality and infant mortality rate in Lal Khola village, in Nepal
The fundraising dinner resumed at 6 pm with a welcome speech by Mr Kashi Adhikari, Director of Programme. Mr Puskar Poudyal, Coordinator Community Engagement resorted a power point presentation to inform the guests about the Foundation and its current and future projects in Australia and overseas. He highlighted on the Healthy Mother Healthy Child Project in Nepal which is taking place in one of the remote areas – inadequate access of medical needs, more than 3 hours of walk to the nearest health clinic and lack of awareness among pregnant women and the community.
The Foundation team is thankful to special guests – Mr Glenn Docherty, Mayor of City of Playford Council, Councillor Mr Stephen Coppins and his colleague Mr Denis Davey. The Foundation is pleased with Deputy Mayor Mrs Julie Woodman from the City of Salisbury and her partner Mr Ross Dalton and Mr Robert Bacon (Bob), President of Lions Club Angle Vale and his club members.
Foundation’s Executives, among others, Mr. Tilchand Sapkota, CEO, Mr Kashi Adhikari, Director of Programme, Mr Hari Pokhrel Director of Finance and Coordinators Mr Puskar Poudyal, Ms Chandra Subedi, Mr Laxman Gurung, Ms Bishnu Tamang and Mr JN Bhandari, Treasurer IBOD managed to attend the program and engage with the guests. The fundraising dinner was fully inundated and attracted a rich participation of community members including children below 10 years of age. The majority of the participants were Bhutanese Australian community members. The attendees exceeded 80 in number.
-
Mayor Glenn Dorothy, City of Playford Council
Guest speaker, Mayor Mr Glenn Dorothy said, “I am very fortunate to be here tonight to support the Foundation about the project which Foundation is running for good cause and it is my privileges to support you all.”
-
Deputy Mayor Mrs Julie Woodman, City of Salisbury
Likewise, Deputy Mayor of the city of Salisbury said, ‘I am pleased to hear about such a tremendous work by the Foundation and it is very indispensable for those who are in needs of getting their primary health supplement. I am very proud to be here joining this dinner tonight.’ Likewise, Angle Vale Lions Club, President Mr. Robert Bacon was very impressed with Foundation’s charitable work and expressed interests to collaborate with Foundation’s project.
Guests had a lots of fun with Nepali folk music associated with dance and delicious meals and refreshments. It was an entertaining and spectacular night. In addition to generating $990, the event served as a medium for community engagement, interaction and connection. The Foundation is committed to organise similar fundraising dinner every year.
