VVAO fundraiser for Yarra

 

Yarra in Netherlands: Pir-Sohrab Project Fundraising Event

 

We are proud and so happy to share another spectacular fundraising event with you, which happened in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

More than €4000 (Euros) is raised - we received full support for the project!

 

This program was held by VVAO (Dutch Association of Women In Higher Education) and organised by two circles in Amsterdam: "The eastern dinner circle" and "Women of the future". The manager of the ceremony was Edith Lommerse, the president of UWE (University Women of Europe).

 

The event was kindly hosted by Stichting Andishe (http://www.stichtingandishe.nl/) which is an art and culture center located in north of Amsterdam and managed by Mrs Shahnaz Shahbazi.

Almost 60 guests purchased tickets for this 4-hour event. Tickets were €25 each. Other than the entry tickets, some smaller and bigger donations were made by people who attended and even who did not attend! On top of that, we were unexpectedly surprised by a lady donated €1000 and that wasn't all!

 

Before starting, guests were served with Iranian drinks and refreshments such as Aragh Bidmeshk, Khakeshir, Gaz, Sohaan and some homemade Iranian cookies.

 

The program was started with a welcome by president of VVAO Amsterdam, Rosey van der Vlies, followed by a presentation about Iran and Yarra Foundation and the Pir Sohrab project.

 

Then an art & culture break with special guests performing for the audience all for free.

The art & culture break was consisted of:

• A poem reading by Nafiss Nia living in the Netherlands for about 20 years. She is a poet and film maker (http://nafissnia.blogspot.nl),

• A live music performance by Mercedeh Hashemi (Singer) and Babak Kamgar (Taar player) who perfomed Iranian Traditional music, and

• A dance performance by two Dutch dancers performing eastern dances.

 

After the lovely break, fundraising was held in two parts: a shop and an auction.

The shop was selling Iranian handcrafts and Nafiss's books. All benefits were donated; then some special handcrafts and saffron were put on auction.

At the second auction people were asked if they were willing to sponsor fully or partly school girls for 9 months by offering €35 and €15 packages. The donation raised by this auction was going to spend on transportation, school uniforms, stationery, and books.

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The auction went well. Almost €1000 were raised from the auction, nearly €500 for the first and €500 for the second one.

The event ended by a warm and colorful Iranian dinner prepared by two food sponsors (Darband and Saman restaurants) serving Chelo Kabab Kubideh, Joojeh Kabab, Mirzaghesmi, Kashk o Bademjan, and Ash e Reshteh. The menu was completed by side dishes prepared by some other members of the team.

As mentioned above, totally more than €4000 was raised by the astonishing effort of all organizers, hosts, team members and guests.

We would like to express our gratitude from deep of our heart to whoever took part in this extraordinary event. Your donations will made a big big difference in the life of disadvantaged children in Iran.

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Thank you for supporting such a great cause!

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