‘Anthems’ back to help SERVE project

Posted by admin on January 01, 2012 in 2012 Show, Anthems, Latest, News, Next Show tagged with

IT’S going to be a hectic few months for all involved with Ballinrobe Musical Society as it’s been confirmed that ‘Anthems’ — our show that received rave reviews after a ‘one-off’ performance last September — is back by popular demand.

The cast and crew will take to the stage at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Friday, March 16 to re-present this unique production which features show-stopping numbers from the world’s greatest musicals.

All the proceeds from ‘Anthems 2’ will be donated to the SERVE Philippines project 2012.  Two members of our Society (Maura Murphy and Seamas Mac Eachmharaigh), together with twelve other volunteers, will travel to the Philippines in July to help and alleviate the suffering of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

So, all involved are hoping that the show will be just as popular second time round, after it played to a huge audience at the prestigious Castlebar theatre last year.

Dave Langan and Paula O’Neill will be joining our impressive list of principals this time round, while Sandra Schalks, Hilda Hughes-Gilligan, Sinead Heneghan, Siobhán Campbell, Michael Coen and Daithí Ryder will also be performing some of the biggest musical hits.

Tickets will be on sale here on the website, plus in all the usual local outlets in Ballinrobe, and at the Royal Theatre box office.

SERVE’s full-time co-ordinator William Browne, who is a native of The Neale, explained that the organisation has been placing volunteers on projects in Asia, South America, and Africa since 2003.  “However, this is the first time we have taken a group from one pastoral area, and we are delighted with the level of interest we have received.  It is wonderful for us to be able to send 14 people to the Badjao community in Cebu, the Philippines,” said William.

Sr Evelyn Flanagan, who has been campaigning for the rights of the Badjao people since the mid 1990s, is originally from Ireland, and she has relations in the Ballinrobe area.  “The Badjao community have had their informal settlements deliberately burnt down on many occasions. For many years they lived with little dignity, but were finally given a plot of land by the sea on the outskirts of Cebu.

“SERVE funded the building of a school there in 2008, which was the first concrete structure in the area. This has been a huge boost to the community. Native teachers are employed in the school.  “However, there is no running water, sewage, or electricity in the area, and little improvement in their human rights.

“When I visited there in 2008 and 2009 with SERVE, I came across horrific stories where families just did even consider bringing their children, ill from TB, to hospital. They let the child die at home because they didn’t have the money for hospital treatment.  “In essence, €20 was the price put on life there.”

The volunteers from the Robe Pastoral Area are: Brendan Cafferky, Martin Flannery, Rachel Tierney, Majella McGovern, Patrick Donnellan, Emer Hall, Michelle Murphy, Andrea Keane, Aisling Bell, Fergal Mohan, Maura Murphy, Grace Sheridan, Seamas Mac Eachmharaigh and Karen Commins.

“It is wonderful that 14 people have volunteered for this project, which will involve living in intense conditions.”

Donations may be made directly to any of the Parish Priests in the Robe Pastoral Area, project volunteers or a member of the organising committee.

Donations may also be made online at www.mycharity.ie/event/philippinesproject2012 or directly to the SERVE bank account – sort code: 93-74-36, account number: 09889023 (quoting ‘Philippines’ in the narrative of the lodgement slip).

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