What began as an initiative by a few expatriate women who wanted to contribute to Omani society has now become an important item in Muscat’s calendar of events with a purpose.
Called the Green Sapphire Ball, the annual black-tie gala will be held on March 18 at the Indian Embassy’s chancery area. This year, the proceeds of the fundraiser will go to the National Association for Cancer Awareness (NACA). The organisers told TheWeek that they hope to raise more money than they have collected in previous years.
It was three years ago that Karen Green, a Muscat-based teacher and event manager, decided to organise a gala and donate the proceeds to a charity. She joined hands with her friend, Bridget Ganguly, and they went about enlisting the support of their friends and acquaintances.
This year, joining Karen and Bridget, director of an inter-faith study centre, are Radha Mukherji, who runs an ad agency, and Gerhard Meyer, a property consultant.
“Also with us is Faye Kothari, a home-maker based in Dubai,” said Karen. “The idea is not only to raise money but also to increase awareness in the society about associations like NACA and the work it does.”
The money raised this year will be used to provide accommodation for the families of children with cancer who come to the Royal Hospital in Muscat for treatment.
“Many of the parents who come from the interior parts of the country can’t afford to stay in hotels while their children are admitted to hospital,” said Yuthar al Rawahy, president and founder of NACA. “The association hopes to complete the project, to be called Home Away from Home, by the beginning of next year.
We will look for a place near the Royal Hospital, renovate it and make it comfortable for people to stay. We recently introduced a mobile mammography unit in the city and this facility will be another landmark for us.”
Bridget said they hoped to raise a sum in excess of RO30,000. “The response has been tremendous so far and many companies have come forward to sponsor the event. While the Indian Embassy is allowing us to use its premises, most of the services for the event are being provided either free of cost or at a nominal cost by different firms and individuals,” said Karen.
H E Anil Wadhwa, Ambassador of India, said, “This has been a great success in the past and at the embassy, we look forward to it because this is the only event where we contribute to an Omani charity. It gives us an opportunity to give something back to Oman and its people.”
About 350 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature music by Sonam Kalra, the Barajax band from Columbia and DJ Devan.
There will also be an auction and a menu created by the Grand Hyatt.
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