Who We Help
Abaya Karam provides financial assistance to two charities based in Sri Lanka – Ramakrishna Mission in Batticaloa and Durgapuram Mahalir Illam in Jaffna. Both are government approved orphanages and between them support over 250 children aged 6 and over.
These disadvantaged children have suffered unimaginable emotional trauma from unfortunate and tragic events in their lives. Through these charities they are given opportunities and instructed in values that enable them to become independent and achieve success in their chosen careers.
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Mission is an organisation focussed on spiritual and social welfare activities, located in Batticaloa in the eastern province of Sri Lanka. Part of their philanthropic work is providing a home for around 100 children in Batticaloa, and supporting many more disadvantaged children in the local area with food, education and health facilities.
Durgapuram Mahalir Illam
Durgapuram Mahalir Illam is a home that nurtures over 100 orphaned and destitute children in Thellipalai, a small town in the northern province of Sri Lanka. Their sole income is from the donations they receive. They channel these donations to meeting the essential needs of the children, including food, education and clothing, and seek to prepare them for an independent life.
How We Fundraise
As an annual tradition, Abaya Karam holds a fundraising concert to share the beauty, joy and artistry of our traditional performing arts with the community, in an enchanting evening of classical Indian music and dance. This concert has been held every year from 1993 to 2019 (only pausing due to Covid-19), with the proceeds from ticket sales going to the two children's homes in Sri Lanka.
This concert provides an opportunity to raise funds in a way that showcases our culture, and allows different teachers and students to showcase their musical and dance talents on stage. Importantly, for the Australian children performing in the concerts, they become aware of less fortunate children of a similar age, and contribute to helping them.
The annual concert goes hand-in-hand with our raffle draw. In the lead up to the concert, our dedicated supporters sell raffle tickets, with prizes ranging from airline tickets to furniture, saris and restaurant vouchers, all thoughtfully donated by local businesses and professionals. The winners are announced at the concert, with proceeds from the raffle tickets going to the children's homes.
Owing to the generosity of our supporters, the majority of funds raised by Abaya Karam comes from donations.