Volunteer Tara Kelly is hoping for some local community support.By Cassie Maher
PAKENHAM residents will have their chance to support international aid through 23yearold local volunteer Tara Kelly in an evening of entertainment called Songs of the Sun over Uganda.
Funds from the night will go to supporting Tara’s pending sixmonth stay in Africa where she is volunteering as part of Students Partnership Worldwide, in providing the rural community of Uganda with environmental education.
Entertainment for the night will include performances by singer songwriter and golden guitar winner Philip Beggs and Bruce Watson, a singer songwriter of similar acclaim, with other entertainment to be finalised.
Supper will be also be provided and a silent auction will be held, auctioning products and services from local businesses doing their bit for Tara.
“We are hoping for about 100 people to attend as the hall is quite big,” said Tara.
Tara, who has been a member of Students Partnership Worldwide since the beginning of this year, says the event is a chance for the local community to get involved with a fantastic cause.
“Sometimes people donate money and don’t know exactly where their funds are going,” said Tara.
“But through me, they can see exactly where their money is going and what it has helped to achieve.”
Passionate about her cause, Tara is keen to see help given to people who don’t have the means to help themselves.
“Eighty per cent of people in Uganda work in agriculture and they rely on the land. It is the basis of their livelihood, so if the land is degraded, so are their lives,” Tara said.
“Our presence is not a shortterm thing, we will make sure that the people develop their own strengths and skills in regards to sustainable farming, to continue on for the long term, way after the volunteers have left.”
Songs of the Sun over Uganda will be held at Pakenham Public Hall, John Street, Pakenham, on Friday, 21 October from 7pm to 11pm.
Tickets are $25 per head and are available from the Lazy Frog Gift Shop, Main Street, Pakenham.
Contact Cheryl Billing Smith on 0417 124 881 or Lisa Innes on 5941 3229 for details.
