DABAL – Past & Present projects

It has taken more than a moment to accept that more than a year has passed since we started the charity Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka to help the handicapped children of Sri Lanka; indeed it seems like only yesterday.

In a year that has been full of many activities that you may or may not have attended, it has been heartening to be able to see, communicate and interact with members and friends of the Association.

In the past 18 months we have had an inaugural dinner at the Sekera Restaurant to promote it's activities-a power point presentation of the Charity was made and the ambience of the evening was enhanced by the music provided by Manel Seneviratne and boosted the membership.

In the summer of last year on 25th June 2005 a musical evening was presented by Alan Durham at St John's Church, Waterloo Road, London SE1.It was indeed a tremendous success drawing a large gathering of classical music lovers who enjoyed a very high standard of performance by the students of the Royal Academy and a delicious spread of Sri Lankan short eats to be washed down with wine at the interval. It was an unforgettable evening with much needed funds raised in harmony.

The year ended with a magnificent Sri Lankan yuletide concert presented by none other than Alan Durham at the Upper Tooting, Methodist Church Hall, London with Sinhala,Tamil and English carols sung and a variety of musical instruments played to the enjoyment of many present .The grand finale was the rhythms of the all women Sri Lankan drummers, who took the audience by surprise and left them in the mood of celebration and generosity appropriate for the occasion.

The success of the yuletide concert demands it to be made an annual event in our calendar and will take place on the 16th December 2006 at St John's Church Waterloo at 7.00 p.m. Please note it in your diary for future events. It is sure to be a Christmas cracker.

We are working on a grand raffle with fabulous prizes to raise funds for
our charity work and lucky draw will take place at our next AGM.

When? Saturday 24th March 2007 at 1 PM.
Where? St. Vincent's Centre, Carlisle Place, London SW1


Every pound we raise makes a difference to these disabled children in Sri Lanka. Please support our fund raising projects to put a smile on the faces of the children of misfortune.

In the past eighteen months we have tried to interact with members and guests, embracing camaraderie at social occasions. We aim to enjoy various cultures and share the differences there are between peoples in one nation to help the children in need in our motherland Sri Lanka.

It is heartwarming to announce children from Senkadagala school for the Deaf and Blind Dodanwela, Kandy were the first beneficiaries of DABAL. They were donated the sum of £ 1500.