Benefit Concert - Saturday, May 17

Concert and other events to raise money for the construction of an orphanage in Ghana.

Jumble sale, photo exhibition, four bands and performances, and african buffet.

Bands: Nico & Company, Descalzo, Batucada Alegre Rebeldía and Island Monkey

Concert: 8:00 p.m. 10 €
Dinner: 8:30 p.m.
Other activities begin at 6:30 p.m.

Benefit Concert for " Ghana una Sonrisa"

On Saturday 17th May Sa Taronja hosts a very special event: a benefit concert - and various auxilliary activities - in support of the organisation "Ghana una Sonrisa", an NGO dedicated to raising funds to help orphanages in rural Africa. It is being organised by a team of young people from the Andratx area who have put a lot of time and effort into pulling it all together, and who hope there will be a great turnout to hear the music, eat the typical African dishes that will be prepared, look at the photo show, and spend some money in the fleamarket they have organised.

So what's the connection between Mallorca and Ghana?

It all began in the summer of 2006 when Marina García and her boyfriend Luis went to Ghana and worked for a few months in the orphanage at Huhunya. For someone brought up in modern Mallorca, the conditions at Huhunya were something of a shock. Very bad sanitary conditions, insufficient resources and infrastructure, only one meal a day for the inhabitants. It made a deep impression. Luis and Marina worked hard and did all they could; and felt frustrated knowing that at the end of their stay they would return to their homes and once again the orphanage would be without support.

They decided they could not simply turn their back on such a situation and on their return to Mallorca began to talk to friends and family about what to do. The result was the creation of the non-governmental organization "Ghana una Sonrisa", with the objective of ongoing, structured help that would allow orphanages to eventually become self sufficient. Their first goal was to help Huhunya, but the project has grown and now includes a second orphanage, Otrokper, making a total of 96 children. Funds raised will go towards setting up a farm, and building sheds for cattle and chickens. The idea is to make the orphanages self sufficient in eggs and meat, and provide an excess that can be sold in the market.

Sa Taronja applauds the dedication of these young people and hopes that members and friends will come out in force. The group of volunteers involved in putting on Saturday's event - Marina, Sylvia and Amber, Sara, Sophie, Manu, Leo, Barnaby and Emilio - have promised some great music to dance to. The band will be led by Arthur Vaughn-Richards, whose recent gigs as "Island Monkey" delighted many of you.

All benefits from the concert and related activities go to the NGO Ghana Una Sonrisa.