Spirit of service highlighted at Ayyam-i-Ha celebration 

The process of bringing families together in a spirit of service to humanity is being furthered in a Perth neighbourhood as the Baha’i institute process raises capacity in all ages to carry out community service projects and contribute to the betterment of society.  

Over the past three years, the neighbourhood of East Fremantle has hosted a special concert, raising thousands of dollars towards the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation’s first children’s hospice – the Boodja Mia – ”Sandcastles” Hospice.

Facilitated by participants in the local junior youth group and the Baha’i children’s classes, as well as parents involved in the local community-building process, the initiative is an example of how families in the neighbourhood can collaborate and give back to their community in a meaningful way.  

The concert takes place every year during Ayyam-i-Ha, a Baha’i festival dedicated to generosity, being hospitable and acts of charity.  

Organiser Azita Khalessi said it allowed the neighbourhood’s children to raise their capacity to perform in front of a crowd while feeling the “joy and upliftment during this special time Baha’i’s share with their neighbours and friends alike.”

The concert started with an acknowledgement of country followed by an introduction by the children and junior youth who described the purpose of the day and the need for funds to contribute towards the hospice’s $30,000,000 project which is due for completion at the end of 2025.   

The children and junior youth operated stalls and emceed the musical concert and performances while speakers blasted happy and popular tunes. “The guess-the-lolly-competition was a hit, with the winner taking home a gigantic lolly jar,” Azita said. “A 3D artwork, headed by an artist mum at the school, was also created by the kids depicting a sandcastle near the ocean to be hung at the Hospice upon completion.”

“Most of the kids played the instruments they learn through the primary school and privately including violin, viola, cello, piano, electric and acoustic guitar,” Azita said. “Children from kindergarten to high school had the opportunity to perform or dance and sing in the choir, led by a local parent who teaches music at the kindergarten and who helped with all the rehearsals. A graduating older junior youth group also performed a piece.”

“The timing was perfect and relatable for the kids to see the cumulative effect of the third consecutive year that they were helping the same foundation.”

Azita said over the three years the concert has been held, the neighbourhood has raised more than $5,500 towards the Boodja Mia – “Sandcastles” Hospice. More than $2,300 was raised this year alone.  

The event was sponsored by the new local Good Grocer who donated buns for the sausage sizzle and a hamper for a raffle, as well as the local florist who donated a floral bunch.   

The Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Boodja Mia – “Sandcastles” Hospice will be the first paediatric hospice in Western Australia and one of only four in Australia.

Images by Shadi Khosraviani