The gift to keep on giving

AN emotional Graeme Kent, director of Aussie Action Abroad, struggled to hide his tears when receiving two thousand dollars from Sing Australia Ballarat and Ballarat North.

The funds were generated to support five-year-old Ashish, a Nepalese boy abandoned by his parents at birth and looked after by his grandmother and women in the community of Bhulbule.

Still the size of a one-year-old just this year, Mr Kent met Ashish while in Nepal on building, health and education projects.

Carolyn Priddle, leader of Ballarat’s Sing Australia said the final donation total was overwhelming, proving the choir members greatly care to generously help local and global issues like this.

“It means that the Bhulbule community will now be able to begin to generate income to support Ashish in his rehabilitation,” she said.

“Graeme had a target to raise $500 so that Ashish, who was finally diagnosed with cerebral palsy, could achieve quality of life through ongoing physical support and training, as well as having a custom-made wheelchair.”

The genesis of the donations was a special effort of a crocheted quilt crafted by John Stuchbery, a ten-year member of Sing Australia.

As he accepted his decade badge, Mr Stuchbery announced his retirement from the choir for personal reasons. His vocal community said his fine voice and commitment will be greatly missed.

Aussie Action Abroad has been working in Bhulbule and beyond for 18 years, helping to improve facilities through health, education and school projects. Visit aussieactionabroad.com to discover the organisation’s broader work.