By Christy Parker
Youghal children can show solidarity with their counterparts in one of the world’s poorest regions in an afternoon of unfettered fun at the League of the Cross hall next Saturday (December 13th). The town’s youngest revellers can eh…, hone their social skills at a disco being run on behalf of street children in Bangladore, Karnataka State, central India.
The event is being organised by local woman Angela O’Brien and arises from her recent visit to the region. “While out there I met a woman called Nirmala who is struggling to run a school and catering centre for poor children, most of whom are from single-parent families,” Angela recalls. “She’s an ex-nun in her 40′s and used her traditional family dowry money to set up the school. She also has one room there in which to live but she gave it up to her elderly father and sleeps outside on the floor. I found her courage, her commitment and her compassion absolutely amazing.”

Education is the only viable alternative to despair and hardship for the children of Bangladore and therein lays the link amongst children everywhere. Nirmala’s charges range from three to 12 years and while not diminishing our own problems, their plight and hers puts Ireland’s struggle with increasing class numbers into a new perspective. “The school has about 500 children and six classrooms,” says Angela. “They need basic items and every cent we raise will go directly towards providing them. There are no administration costs,” she adds.

The future revellers and socialites of Youghal can peruse photographs and a written account of Angela’s trip, while versatile dj Michael O’Connell will spin the sounds to accompany the delicacies of dance -an experience that will doubtlessly resurface in their searching minds on many a Saturday in the long years to come.

The whole shebang kicks off at 3pm and the echoes will fade about five. Admission is €8.