Charity concert for children in Cambodia to be held in Midlands

AN unforgettable night of music, featuring some of Ireland's top trad artists will be held in Athlone in October, to raise funds and awareness for an organisation called "Build Your Future Today" (BFT).

Appearing for one night only are the incredible Shaskeen (they have been the cornerstone of Irish traditional music and they continue to carry the torch, featuring many accomplished musicians); Trish Reilly (an Irish Traveller a singer/songwriter. Her music spans many genres and moves beyond traditional folk music); MegaTRAD (the nature of their improvised show gives audiences a unique experience every time you attend their gigs); Sarah Clogher Dancers (have performed in many areas of East Galway/Roscommon and have won countless trophies).

It is all on at the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone, on Saturday October 11th 2025. Tickets are available online at www.deancrowetheatre.com or from office: (090) 6492129.

Build Your Future Today Centre (BFT) was established in April 2006, and grew from the personal desire of founder, Sedtha Long, a survivor of the brutal years of the Khmer Rouge. For more information log onto: www.buildyourfuturetoday.org

The person behind this event is Edward (Eamon) Conway, of Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. He was born in Co. Mayo, but now lives in Ballinasloe. He has been devoting his time since he retired from business to better the lives of the children in Cambodia. Sadly what he has achieved to date is only a “ripple in the ocean” and much more needs to be done.

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The last concert that he organised was in Ballinasloe last November and it raised €4,800, after expenses. This went to purchase school uniforms, study materials and hygienic supplies for hundreds of small children in the rural schools in Siem Reap Province. In fact last March/April 2025 Edward had the opportunity and went along to the schools there to verify where the money was going, it is important to be as transparent as possible and to verify where the aid is going. In fact whilst there, Edward was at one school by a river and children as young as six years of age would have to walk in their bare feet over 6kms in the blazing heat on the hard ground to get to school.

Children, their teachers and the villagers are now coming together to grow vegetables, fruit trees and tend to chickens etc. These foods will help improve the children’s health and nutrition as well as give an income generated from growing the food.

Edward’s association with Cambodia goes back quite some time, first as a tourist in that region, following that he fundraised for water wells. He also sent out eight laptops and bought a wheelchair for a person in need in the city of Battambang.

Then Edward set about getting a three-classroom school built as Aspire School, Siem Reap. It's now called the Irish School and he is happy to say it is still going strong. Then Edward got involved in another school supplying them with two bamboo classrooms, various school supplies, plus a new road laid to that school. Afterwards he managed to obtain more water for that village area.

Edward came upon this "Build Your Future Today" NGO two years ago. It supports schools in so many projects, namely school extensions, toilets and dormitories. It also tries to help the villagers be sustainable, to start their own business, like a potato/chicken farm, fruit trees or silk making.

Access to clean water and sanitation remains a challenge for many, with the danger of land mines still around the fields of Cambodia.

Please get your tickets to see great music and help the children. Edward’s mobile is (086) 8972776 if you wish to assist in any way.

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