Every Child is Your Child Masquerade Ball on April 13

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Sinead Fitzgibbon

Every Child is Your Child is a Limerick initiative founded by Donnah Sibanda Vuma and Co-founded by Finn Lannon. Every Child is Your Child (ECIYC) is about bringing people together for a common purpose, which is to empower, motivate, and encourage harmony and interdependence among parents from different nationalities residing in Ireland, focusing on those living in direct provision.

Direct provision is in place in Ireland to provide welfare for asylum seekers. These vulnerable people are living on €21.60 per week. 2 years is the average amount of time spent living in direct provision, however, in April 2016 36% of the 4,755 people living in direct provision had been waiting for their application to be accepted for more than 5 years. ECIYC Masquerade Ball

Donnah told ilovelimerick why she started Every Child is your Child, “It came about because we realised that it was very difficult for parents living in direct provision to provide back-to-school necessitates for their children on a very low weekly income, so we figured if there is a way we could help is through raising funds and assisting with the purchasing of stationery, uniforms and helping to pay for contribution fees in school.”

Every Child is your Child host many fundraisers to facilitate their much-needed service. Last year, ECIYC’s annual fundraiser raised €3,495 through sponsorship from donors and companies.

Every Child is Your Child has announced its 2019 fundraiser, which is a Masquerade Ball. The event will be held on April 13 in Thomond Park Stadium and will begin at 6.30 pm. They will raise funds on the night through raffle tickets sales and through a live art auction of pieces donated by established artists, including Paulin Googlin, Jean Ryan, and Kate O’ Shea to name a few. Tickets are €30, which includes a two-course dinner. There will be a live art Auction and live music performances from Souletiquette who are one of Dublin’s best up and coming labels, Amy Rowlette and Sinead Toomey and a DJ will play from 10 pm to 2 am. 

One of this year’s sponsors is Doras Luimni. Doras Luimni Chairperson Dr John Lannon said ‘We’re delighted to once again support this event. Not only does it raise awareness of the challenges people living in Direct Provision face, but it also helps address some of these challenges in a practical way. We hope the people of Limerick will come out and support this event, as it promises to be a great night.’ The event is also supported  the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick and Limerick City & County Council. 

Donnah encourages everyone to support, “we would encourage people to get tickets or sponsor a ticket for someone who is living in direct provision to come to the ball, it is also a great way for us to raise awareness around the issues surrounding direct provision.”

ECIYC are now in their third year of establishing on-going funding and resources to support asylum-seeking parents and children living in the Irish Direct Provision system. Support Every Child is your Child by sponsoring the event or donating. For any inquiries contact Donnah on 083 458 9069 or email [email protected]

Tickets are €30 and can be bought HERE at Ticket Tailor

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For more stories on ECIYC go here