The driving force behind the SIS Project, our dear Nalanie, journeyed with her husband Shanky, Shanti Alman, Vicky Garcia Bishop and myself to Estoril outside Lisbon where we were greeted by the originator of the fund raising event, Ulla Rapazote. Ulla had worked tirelessly with her friends, Ann Wallis and Karen Bright, to persuade several local businesses, hotels and individuals to sponsor the event, which was well attended and supported.

The evening began with a champagne reception, a brief opportunity for the party to meet new people and see old friends. This was followed by the concert, a mixture of songs and musical styles from around the globe.

The acoustics of the venue, the Centro Cultural de Cascais, added much to the atmosphere as Liliana Bizineche and Maria Joao de Sousa accompanied by Joe Coronado on the piano gave superbly polished and exquisite renditions of songs ranging from Cole Porter's 'Begin the Beguine' to Schumann's 'Widmung' and Rossini's 'Duetto Dei Due Gatti' to ABBA's 'Thank you for the Music'.

The Soprano and Mezzo Soprano took turns to delight the audience with sparkling individual performances and blended beautifully in a broad selection of duets occasionally joined by their accompanist's excellent tenor voice.

In contrast to the ethereal voices and music of the occidental, and to remind the audience of the evening's purpose, the concert was crowned by a small group of Nepalese children who sang and danced to a couple of songs from their homeland, their hard work and enthusiasm shining through as they offered their best to the enchanted audience.

The guests of honour for the event, which included the Nepalese Honorary General Consul Maria Teresa de Matos Marta d'Cruz, The President of the Camara Municipal de Cascais Dr Antonio D'Orey Capucho and the CEO of the Fundacao D. Luis 1 Professor Salvato Telles de Menezes were then treated to a gala dinner comprising typical Nepalese cuisine.

A short slide show of images of Nepal (photographed and compiled by Mark Macias) was followed by speeches given first by the Nepalese Honorary General Consul and then by Nalanie who spoke from the heart as she explained the SIS Project to the assembled guests.

The evening was rounded off by an auction of items generously donated by the various sponsors, which lightened the mood and raised €4,000!

The following day, still riding on a high tide of emotion from the previous evening, the party was treated to one of Nalanie's Satsangs at the Loja Art Gallery in Cascais. The gallery was full as Nalanie spoke on the subject of Finding Peace and Joy, and the coffee and biscuits interlude gave the party an opportunity to mix with the guests and again promote the SIS cause.

Old friendships were renewed and new one's forged during an eventful and thoroughly enjoyable weekend which saw in excess of €10,000 added to SIS.