The HOPE Gala in Dresden, which will take place on October 26, 2024 at the Schauspielhaus Dresden, will once again offer an evening full of commitment, glamor and solidarity. A special highlight of the charity event is the presentation of the 14th HOPE Award, which this year goes to the SAGE-Hospital e.V. association. The association has been involved in the expansion and maintenance of a hospital in the coastal town of Warang in Senegal since 2003.
The HOPE Award is presented each year to projects and individuals who are particularly committed to the welfare of children in Africa. With this award, which is endowed with 5,000 euros and donated by Autohaus Dresden GmbH, the HOPE Gala has been recognizing outstanding projects that provide sustainable aid in African countries since 2006. The sculpture that accompanies the award was created by Dresden artist Ulrich Eißner in collaboration with the Meissen porcelain manufactory under the title "Grasping Hope" and symbolizes life through the depiction of an embryo held by protective hands.
Award for a unique project
The SAGE Hospital project began in 2003 with the first aid campaigns in Warang, initiated by flight attendants Cynthia Clottey and Katharina von Ballestrem. Together with fellow campaigners from the Berlin SAGE Club, which regularly organizes fundraising campaigns under the motto "Celebrating helps", a loyal community emerged that made it possible to set up a polyclinic in Senegal. Today, young doctors from Senegal provide healthcare to the local population.
Co-founder and association board member Jack Schröder will accept the HOPE Award together with Cynthia Clottey. In his acceptance speech, Schröder will emphasize the importance of international cooperation and the support of the village community of Warang, which was actively involved in the construction of the polyclinic. The laudatory speech will be given by surgeon Dr. Frank Sander, who has been supporting the project with plastic surgery on site since 2015 and has further developed medical care through his growing team of doctors.
Viola Klein, Chair of the HOPE Board of Trustees, emphasized in the run-up to the gala how important it is to help the local people in the long term by empowering them to develop their region independently. "The SAGE Hospital is an example of how effectively and sustainably we can help in Africa," said Klein.
A varied show program for a good cause
In addition to the presentation of the HOPE Award, guests at the 16th HOPE Gala can expect a varied show program. Among the artists performing will be the band Bell Book & Candle, known for their hit "Rescue Me", as well as stand-up comedian Lisa Feller, who will present excerpts from her current program "Dirty Talk". Musical highlights will also be provided by Pat Appleton and Karl Frierson, who will perform jazz and soul pieces as solo artists. A special highlight will be the joint performance with Rolf Stahlhofen, known from the Söhne Mannheims, who received the HOPE Award last year for his project "Water is Right".
An emotional moment of the evening is likely to be the performance by 11-year-old Erika Tanase, who will delight the audience with "Rise Like a Phoenix". She will be accompanied by young musicians from the Heinrich Schütz Conservatory in Dresden, who will round off the evening with an impressive ensemble performance.
Donations for HOPE Cape Town
The HOPE Gala is not just a glamorous evening, but has a serious aim: to raise funds for the children's project HOPE Cape Town, which does important work in the fight against AIDS in South Africa. Over the past 15 years, the gala has raised more than 2.5 million euros, which is used for projects to provide healthcare, education and training for children and young people.
Tickets and raffle for a good cause
For anyone who would like to attend spontaneously, there are still few remaining tickets for this year's gala, which are available in three seat categories for 250 euros, 280 euros and 330 euros. The price includes the show program, the champagne reception and the after-show party with live music and culinary delights provided by more than 20 Dresden restaurateurs.
The large raffle with 150 high-quality prizes, including a trip to Namibia, also attracts numerous guests. Tickets can already be purchased online so that people who are not attending the gala also have a chance to win.
Background: HOPE Cape Town
Founded in 2001, the HOPE Cape Town project takes a holistic approach to supporting children in the townships around Cape Town. In addition to medical care for HIV-positive children, the project offers comprehensive education and support programs to give the children long-term prospects. There is a particular focus on the first 1,000 days of a child's life, which are crucial for their development.
Thanks to the support of HOPE Gala Dresden and other sponsors, HOPE Cape Town has been able to make significant progress over the years and have a positive impact on the lives of many children in South Africa. Nevertheless, the AIDS pandemic remains a major challenge, especially in countries like South Africa, where around 8.3 million people are living with the HI virus.
Conclusion
The HOPE Gala Dresden 2024 will be a moving evening that shows how much solidarity and commitment can achieve for a good cause. The HOPE Award for the SAGE Hospital project and the generous donations for HOPE Cape Town are examples of the commitment of many people who are making a lasting improvement to the lives of children in Africa through their support.
