Coralita Association President Rose Nicolas talks at the fundraising dinner as Belmond La Samanna General Manager Elénore Astier-Petin looks on (left). (Robert Luckock photo)
MARIGOT--Many guests enjoyed the fund-raising gala dinner for Coralita-SESSAD Association hosted by the magnificent Belmond La Samanna Villas on Friday evening. The 150-euros-per-head open-air dinner was staged under tents on a grassy lawn overlooking the ocean.
Among the guests enjoying the dinner were Senator Guillaume Arnell and President of the Collectivité Daniel Gibbs with their respective wives.
The association manages the special needs school for handicapped children Service d’Éducation Specialisée et de Soins à Domicile (SESSAD) in Marigot. Belmond La Samanna immediately agreed to support the organisation of this first event and a number of sponsors donated their services or products for the dinner, including Preferred Food Services, Le Gout de Vin, Moët-Hennessy (Caribbean Liquors and Tobacco), Prime Distributors, Malongo, Sparkle Services, and more.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails, and a three-course dinner with wine pairing and coffee.
SESSAD was created by the Soroptimists Club of Marigot in 2002 to provide specialised care and teaching at the school or at home for children who cannot attend a public institution because of mental, physical or psychological handicaps.
Guests mingle for cocktails in the villa before dinner. (Robert Luckock photo)
Association President Rose Nicolas reminded that the law of February 11, 2005, states that all handicapped persons have the right to equal opportunities, rights, and participation. SESSAD began with 12 children and five employees, but today has grown to accommodating 47 children in St. Martin and seven in St. Barths with 15 salaried educators specialised in their particular fields. However, she said there are still 60 more children on a waiting list.
“Thanks to your generosity and the generosity of all the sponsors, with the proceeds from this event we hope to find an additional structure to accommodate these children as well as organising more projects and artistic workshops,” Nicolas told guests.
Senator Guillaume Arnell and his wife were among the diners. (Robert Luckock photo)
On the latter note, guests Laura and Roland Richardson disclosed that SESSAD children can benefit from art therapy to relieve stress. A group of professionals from France specialised in post-trauma art therapy will be coming to St. Martin soon and the connection with SESSAD will be made.
“Art therapy is one of those hidden things that’s going on in the background but not many people know about it. It should definitely be encouraged,” said Roland.
Don Froston (playing the flugelhorn), Cynthia Rousseau and Les Hodge provided the music for the evening. (Robert Luckock photo)
Top quality musical entertainment was provided by Les Hodge, singer Cynthia Rousseau and Don Froston playing the flugelhorn. There was a drumming segment on the tambour drums from SESSAD Director Fernand Semedo with a young boy from the SESSAD school, Jean-David.
A silent auction offered the chance to bid for paintings by Ruby Bute, Mounette Radot, Jean-Paul Fischer and Jhigai.
Pineapple Pete also sponsored a dinner.
