Sunday, September 21 was the equinox marking the beginning of the Fall season, and it was the perfect day for the fundraising car rally organized by Martine Ackermann, president of the association Child CARE Monaco, and her committee plus volunteers, generous sponsors and partners. Seventy caring ladies dressed the part to participate in the First Ladies Vintage Car Rally, with the pair Noemi Costaglioli/Marie Vatrican conquering the first prize; the second went to Beatrice Fresko, Sabine Steiner Toesca, Alexandra Jaamour and Clara Boustany, and the third to the duo Ursulla Kelly/Olive Fillery.

The participants received a Road Book with precise instructions and departed from Monaco through the Menton country roads, stopping for a gastronomic lunch. They continued in the early afternoon driving in style to the Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat for a delicious Tea Time, to return to Monaco for the prize ceremony during a Cocktail at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Martine Ackermann confirmed they are already planning the 2nd edition of the Rally in 2015 and this year’s participants have already made their bookings!

The right to education

The funds raised came up to more than 6,500 Euros that covers half of the annual budget required for the functioning of the Trestha girls’ school in Jaipur, India, created by Child CARE Monaco. Thanks to this initiative and other fundraising events, the association is able to provide not only education, but also food and clothing for 90 underprivileged girls. Their adage is: “Because children’s education is a right.”

Another of their projects consists in providing financial assistance to Taabar a non-governmental institution also located in Jaipur, who cares for abandoned children to help reinsert them into society. The association works through Ramesh Paliwal, Director of Taabar, who provides invaluable local assistance and was also behind the idea of creating the girls’ school.

Child CARE Monaco (Charity Association for the Right to Education) was created in February 2012, and its mission is to promote and assist in the education of underprivileged children in the world. Both Martine Ackermann (President), and Ella Miscrikhanova (Vice- President) travel regularly to India to follow up their projects and maintain close contact with the responsible people on site.

You may also help the association’s efforts by making a donation or sponsoring a child.

For more information please visit www.childcaremonaco.com

Photos by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha - Monaco Reporter

See also Interview with one of the founders Martine Ackermann