You, like me, are probably looking forward to a few days off over Easter. But it won't be long before FOL staff and volunteers resume their work — at home and abroad. Later this year our volunteers will be back on the ground helping the people of the Kipkelion District of Kenya to work towards an improved quality of life based on Kenyan values and getting involved in everything from business training and teacher seminars to sanitation and health provision. And while our volunteers are supporting the people of Kipkelion, in Ireland we’ll be trying to support the volunteers by building our support base and raising funds. That doesn’t just mean promoting our range of sterling silver jewelry, Londiani-made handbags or special education vouchers — although we naturally urge you to check out the FOL shop elsewhere on this site. It also means organising and promoting FOL’s contribution to the year-long Irish celebration called The Gathering. The FOL Gathering is just one part of a nationwide series of events, through which Ireland opens its arms to friends and family from all over the world, but we like to think it’s a particularly important one — an affirmation of Ireland’s long and distinguished history as a supporter of, and participant in, development efforts around the world. And like those efforts, our gathering can certainly make a difference, not just because it will raise much-needed revenue to support our activities but also because it will raise consciousness and awareness — and perhaps even boost the numbers of those willing to help FOL in its efforts. It’s about fun as well as funds, of course. We fully intend to ensure that you, your friends and your families not only support a worthy cause but dine and dance late into the night in the superbly located Clarion Hotel overlooking Cork's famous River Lee and facing the inspired architecture of City Hall. There will also be a raffle on the night for fantastic prizes including a new season Orla Kiely bag courtesy of the Kilkenny Group; B&B in The Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Co. Waterford; Sunday Lunch in Garryvoe Hotel, Co. Cork; Lunch in the Mill Wheel, Midleton (the — probable — home of Irish whiskey), Co. Cork. And many more great prizes… After the extended winter, we, like you, are all keen to enjoy some proper spring weather and more light in the evening — and where better than in charming surroundings by the Lee, enjoying great food and entertainment — and, of course, boosting health, education and water programmes in Kenya. So find out more at http://www.friendsoflondiani.com/getinvolved.php?id=295 — and keep the 20th of April free!