Ladies in red dance for love of Chinese children

LADIES in red will dance on Friday in aid of the country once known as Red China.

This year’s Red Hot Valentine’s Ball is expected to raise more than €60,000 for children’s orphanages in China, with all guests dressed in the appropriate colour.

The Valentine’s ball in the Citywest Hotel in Dublin is being organised by International Orphan Aid Ireland (IOAI).

It was set up in 1996 to help Irish couples adopt Chinese children.

The process was complex and expensive because there was no adoption agreement between Ireland and China.

Since then, an agreement has been signed and more than 250 Chinese children have been adopted.

“You hear scare stories about how much it costs to adopt children from other countries. With Chinese children, everything is now government to government. It takes a while, but it’s a straightforward process,” said IOAI director Seán O’Neill yesterday.

Apart from the expenses of flights and accommodation, the only money involved is a donation of $3,000 to the orphanage.

International Orphan Aid Ireland (IOAI) concentrates on improving the living conditions of Chinese children in orphanages.

“The conditions in Chinese orphanages are not too bad, but we try to improve the care, especially for disabled children,” Mr O’Neill said.

Last year, the proceeds of the Valentine’s ball went towards a centre for the mentally and physically handicapped children in the orphanage at Changsha in Huwan province.

It was opened last December by the Irish ambassador to China, Declan Connolly. The IOAI also provides nannies and medical treatment for the children.

“This year, we want to set up a music therapy programme. We will employ two local music teachers and the children will be able to learn through music,” Mr O’Neill said.

The IOAI has also brought 13 Chinese children to Ireland for medical treatment.

“The Valentine’s ball is our main fundraiser but we do run golf classics and race nights. We are completely voluntary, so about 99% of our funds go to the orphanages,” said Mr O’Neill.

Tickets, priced at €100, can be bought online at www.rhvb.net or by phoning International Orphan Aid Ireland on 01 4664106.