The annual Ladies’ Vintage Car Rally on Sunday, September 17, raised €14,000 for the girls’ school in India run by Child CARE Monaco.
The money collected from the fourth edition was used to buy much-needed equipment for the Sneh Girls School in Tresta Village in Rajasthan, including 20 classroom computers, 90 bicycles and solar panels.
On Saturday, October 21, Child CARE Monaco founder Martine Ackermann visited the school, with Annie De Jonckheere. They inaugurated a playground, distributed bikes and offered school supplies to some very happy young girls.
“The girls were so excited and happy,” Martine told Monaco Life from Rajasthan. “This is the first time they have ever been on a bike. What an experience, and all the villagers – fathers, mothers, grandmothers – they all came out to watch.”
Martine explained that the girls are thrilled to come to school by bike, and are excited to discover the areas surrounding their village.
“Yesterday evening after school, we walked to the village and saw the girls learning how to ride a bike. It’s a big change because they are becoming not only more confident but also independent,” Martine said.
“Even this morning, some of the mothers and fathers came to thank me again”, she shared. “We are so proud that our hard work makes a difference for these girls and for all the villagers.”
Child CARE Monaco’s next project will be mushroom production, which is easy and inexpensive, and possible to sell at markets and restaurants.
“After the girls finish school, they’ll be able to manage the marketing and sales of mushroom production,” Martine said.
Child CARE Monaco’s next fundraiser is a Christmas Gala Dinner at the Salon Bellevue, Cafe de Paris, on December 2, 2017, starting with a rooftop aperitif with a view of the decorated Place du Casino. Tickets, including live music, dinner, dancing, and a show, are €130/person, with all benefits of the event going to the girls school. Reservations before November 25: childcare@monaco.mc