This year’s SALAMAT Charity Gala brought together an incredible mix of people for an evening celebrating the charity’s work, Sudanese culture and, most importantly, the community that continues to support SALAMAT.
This year’s SALAMAT Charity Gala brought together an incredible mix of people for an evening celebrating the charity’s work, Sudanese culture and, most importantly, the community that continues to support SALAMAT.
It was wonderful to see such a great turnout, with people from a wide range of backgrounds joining us for the evening. We welcomed medics and non-medics, plenty of Sudanese and non-Sudanese guests alike, long-standing supporters of SALAMAT, and many people who were learning about the charity and its work for the first time. It was a real reflection of the community that has grown, and continues to grow, around SALAMAT over the years. What was particularly heart-warming to see was the number of young people who attended, many of whom were inspired by the evening and keen to find ways to get involved and help where they can.
The evening began with an introduction from Professor Galil, who spoke about how SALAMAT was first formed and how the charity has grown and changed over the years. He reflected on its beginnings, the people who helped build it and how its work has adapted in response to the changing needs of communities across Sudan.
This led into what many people told us was the highlight of the evening: a panel discussion with Professor Adelgalil, Mr Ramirez and Dr Abdelrahman, sharing their experiences from previous SALAMAT medical convoys in Sudan.
The panel gave guests an insight into what delivering healthcare on the ground can actually look like. They spoke openly about working in incredibly challenging circumstances, often with limited resources, and finding ways to continue providing care despite this. From carrying out fistula surgery and other procedures in theatre to running clinics and treating patients who may otherwise have had very limited access to specialist healthcare, their stories brought SALAMAT’s work to life in a way that statistics alone never could.
The evening then shifted from medicine to Sudan’s rich history and culture, with a fascinating talk by Dr El Daly exploring Sudan’s cultural heritage. This was followed by a beautiful oud performance, which provided a chance for everyone to sit back and enjoy the music before the fundraising continued.
Of course, no gala would be complete without plenty of food and entertainment! Guests enjoyed dinner together, with the evening providing lots of opportunities to catch up with old friends, meet new people and connect with others who share an interest in supporting healthcare in Sudan.
We also held an auction to raise further funds for SALAMAT. The generosity throughout the evening was greatly appreciated, with every contribution helping the charity continue its work supporting healthcare in Sudan.
More than anything, the gala was a reminder of the strength of the community surrounding SALAMAT. At a time when Sudan continues to face immense challenges, seeing so many people come together — across different professions, nationalities and backgrounds — was incredibly encouraging.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, performed, donated, helped organise the evening or supported it in any way. We hope you enjoyed the night as much as we did, and we look forward to continuing to build on the work of SALAMAT together.
