Pedal Power for Peace and a Health Mission for Palestine.
Fiona Djaelani will be known to many Ardentinny locals and visitors through her work at the Ardentinny Hotel and, more recently, through her latest project, i.e., organising a Charity Sale, Music Night and Auction to help fund a mobile eye clinic for Palestine.
The clinic is the brainchild of Dr. Ali Dabbagh, whose family Fiona got to know years ago when their children attended the same school. Dr. Dabbagh, a renowned eye surgeon who has worked in some of the world's leading eye hospitals, is setting up a mobile eye clinic in the Palestinian territories where three quarters of the 4 million population have little access to even the most basic health care. The clinic will be based in Ramallah but will travel to towns and remote villages.
Fiona saw for herself the hardship and dire need of the Palestinian population when she participated in a charity cycle last year with 'Follow the Women', an organisation which seeks to promote peace in the Middle East. She, one of two Scots , along with 348 other women from all over the world, including the Middle East, began their journey in Syria and cycled through Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine in order to raise awareness and provide funds for a counselling centre in Ramallah. This first hand experience, coupled with her discussions with Dr. Dabbagh and his family, inspired her to organise this coming Saturday's (September 6th) fund-raising event in the Ardentinny Hotel.
Over the past six weeks Fiona has harnessed an extraordinary amount of support. There are artworks and crafts from well-known local and other artists which will be on sale in the hotel between 1 and 5 p.m. accompanied by tea, coffee and home baking. In the evening (8-12.30) there will be a charity music night with Graeme Lawson and friends and an opportunity to buy the work of professional artists by auction. Tickets cost just £5.00 which includes entry into the raffle. Dr. Dabbagh and his wife will be at both events and will be happy to chat about and answer questions on the project.
If you can't attend either event but would like to make a donation, you can contact us and Fiona will get in touch.