DAMIEN DEMPSEY has never been shy to voice his opinions on life, politics, and society in his music, but he is also a man who practices what he preaches.
The impassioned Dublin singer-songwriter will be returning to Galway next month to play Monroe’s Live on Thursday December 16 at 9pm for the ‘PREDA concert for Justice for Children at Risk in the Philippines’.
PREDA (People’s Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance Foundation ), founded by Fr Shay Cullen, Alex Corpus Hermoso, and Merly Ramirez in 1974 works to win freedom and a new life for children in jails, brothels, on the street, abandoned youth, or in poverty in the Philippines.
All profits from Damien’s concert will be used to fund a Fair Trade car repair and restoration project being undertaken at the PREDA boys’ centre. The money will help set up a project to restore Volkswagen Beetles which will then further fund itself by selling them to collectors globally.
This will help the boys be self-sufficient, learn a trade, and earn a wage. Any extra money will be used to help with the construction of the new PREDA girls’ home and also hopefully complete a swimming pool currently under construction at the home.
Funds from Damien’s previous concerts have gone towards medical supplies for children rescued from adult prisons and child prostitution, building improvements to the accommodation centres for the children, as well as a basketball court for the new PREDA boys’ home. To watch Damien’s trip to the Philippines to view the work PREDA is doing see www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiYNi1XobEc The event is sponsored by Monroe’s Tavern and The Western Hotel.
Support is from Galway band Raindance. Tickets are available from Monroe’s and Zhivago Records. For more information contact Monroe’s on 091 - 583397 or 087 - 9783245. See also www.pred a.org or email preda
galway@ gmail.com
