2012 fund-raising dinner
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS
The focus of this summer’s fund-raising and publicity was a dinner in the delightful surroundings of the Great Hall at Lincoln’s Inn, a spectacular oasis amongst the surrounding City streets. Although midsummer weather was distinctly lacking this didn’t spoil a very pleasant and successful evening.
The dinner was very generously supported once again by Kroll who as well as sponsoring the event brought several tables of guests. Long term supporters Shell attended and as in 2011 kindly sponsored the speaker. Other loyal regulars included Clyde &Co and the London Council of Arab Ambassadors. We were delighted to welcome Petrofac for the first time and to welcome back KPMG and Speechley Bircham. The many individual supporters included regular attendees and new faces.
A high spot of the evening was a very heartening speech by broadcaster and former hostage, John McCarthy. His extreme experiences as a young man have clearly made him wise and humane. His speech combined realism with hope, and offered a strong endorsement of DSMT’s support for education for young people in this troubled region, which he knows well. His recent book You Can’t Hide the Sun: A Journey Through Israel and Palestine, recounts the situation of Arab citizens living within the State of Israel.
From ticket sales, auction, raffle and donations the dinner raised more than £31,000, all of which will go towards providing access to high quality education for disadvantaged young people from kindergarten to university level through our well-established partner organisations in the region:
Early Childhood Resource Centre, East Jerusalem
Dar Al Tifl School and Orphanage, East Jerusalem (school and higher education scholarships)
Bardala School for Girls, Jordan Valley (via ANERA)
East Jerusalem YMCA Vocational Training Centre Jericho (via Ycare International)
Thank you to everyone on behalf of the DSMT board for enabling us to continue our work.
“I’m grateful for all DSMT’s financial help to continue my education needs. God bless you, and thank you.” Bodour, DSMT school scholarship holder 2010-12, hoping to study medicine
“Truly without this help I would not be able to attend university to get a better job and help my family”. Hala, DSMT higher education award holder 2011
“I was in need of moral support and a way to improve my livelihoods. All this was given to me by the VTC where I received a number of courses free of charge: how to use a computer, graphics design, computer and office equipment maintenance, secretarial skills, accountancy, English, life skills, civic empowerment.” *Zaytoona, VTC student April 2012
*In accordance with Y Care International’s Protection of Vulnerable Young People’s Policy, all names of beneficiaries featured in these case studies have been changed.
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