LiveAID is back but we’re recreating it as barmAID.
Bring it on and lock it in – 26th JULY.
Why?
We’re doing GOOD people.
Let’s not forget how fortunate we are with our lives, and how LESS fortunate others are in the world.
Our ‘sunshine’ tour of Cambodia in 2012 raised just over SGD 100,000. From the bottom of our hearts we thank everyone who raised, contributed, ate, drank and bought stuff they didn’t really need, so that we could provide much needed support to our friends in Kampung Chnang.
The amount we raised was a little in excess of what we needed to build the houses, so we’ve been able to do lots more than we originally anticipated. So, from our initial fundraising we have managed to buy:
36 houses – the main intent of our sojourn to exotic climes and the most we’ve ever built in one visit
Wells – 100 wells in Pursat and Kg Chnang provinces
Pig connection – 45 pairs of pigs
The wells are split between field wells and standard wells. As you can imagine, the need for fresh water outweighs any other basic requirement and the field wells provide much needed irrigation for the fields which are being cultivated as part of the villagers drive towards self-sufficiency. The field wells, we are assured, are the most important aspect of the work that Tabitha does next to the house-building itself. The standard wells are those which are drilled in the villages themselves and provide a fresh water supply for the families living there.
We’re saving lives every day!
So, last year a goodly number of the people joined us for our version of a “holiday of a lifetime” and spent a few days helping to change the lives of a few deserving folk in Kg. Chnang in rural Cambodia.
This years’ event which will take place between the 31st October and 3rd November.
In the amiable words of Sir Bob Geldof – “Give us your fucking money!”
We have commenced, in earnest, fund raising for “The Tupperware Tour” (more on that in a second) – and barmAID is one such event to achieve that outcome. And this year for this event we are joined in unison for not just Tabitha but also the amazing charity of Hope for Cambodia with our friends at Standard Chartered Bank and Henley Group.
We thank our friends and relish the journey we are about to embark on together.
The strap-line says it all;
“Give Cambodian Children Hope and a Home!”
So to the ask – we have 300 tickets being printed for what promises to be an amazing event.
We’ll have 80’s music all night, singing competitions, fancy dress competitions (get you leg warmers and mascara on), raffles, tour t-shirts – the LOT!
So please commit your commitment now by securing a place at THE event of 2013 by buying a ticket or 10 to barmAID on 26th July.
It’s gonna get messy!
Finally, for the BT folk building houses this year, why is it called “The Tupperware Tour”? Well the story goes as follows – and this is a personal reflection from my great mate Ged;
There are many stories from the trip, but one stands out – Janne told us at the induction on Thursday. “Don’t throw your empty water bottles away” she said, “they can become containers for food and the like”. Well, last Saturday, when we’d had lunch, when we’d completed our emotional handover of the blankets for the families new homes, and we were packing up all the rubbish, a certain shy Cambodian lady was watching. She was watching the rubbish being collected and had her eyes on a simple plastic container which had been used as one of our lunch boxes. One of our team spotted this and handed it over, along with a knife and spoon. The sheer joy and happiness that came over that beautiful young lady’s face was an absolute picture (and I didn’t have my camera at the ready). It was as if she’d won the lottery! That simple plastic box was worth millions! It was a simple moment, but one which epitomises the situation that exists in rural Cambodia and a moment which totally explains why we do this and a memory which makes it all worthwhile. I don’t know about you, but I would love to make more people smile like that lady … so next year we all bring Tupperware boxes ok?
“2013 The Tupperware Tour!”
If you can’t be there in person please donate what you can, seriously a little goes such a LONG way in Cambodia. We have set up the donation site here.
I thank you all in advance. But special mentions for barmAID have to go to;
Angela Katz – you are truly amazing.
Craig & Jane Armstrong – my 1+1=greater than 2 legends and friends.
Doug Peris – my partner in crime.
Mark Reeve – just keeps on giving (including OpaGangnam on a tuk tuk).
My BT CSR team for their support and guidance.
Victor at HooHa – the event owner, without you mate this would not exist.
My family for allowing me to have some “social work nights” to organise this event.
