Founded by Abbé Pierre Habarurema and Luxembourg-based entrepreneur Luisella Moreschi back in 2004, Femmes développement to date has helped 9,000 microfinancing projects, built and established a school for 2,000 students and a health centre with a capacity to receive 300 out-patients a day.

The projects are financed through money raised at the gala charity event, as well as from other private donations and grants from foundations.

The fundraiser is held at the Casino 2000 in Mondorf-les-Bains and this year, the 16th gala, had as its theme Studio 54--a tribute to the legendary New York City nightclub that was a magnet for stars at the height of the disco era.

It was an “electrifying” night, event co-organiser Magaly Carroll told Delano. Magali Dahen and her dance troupe revived disco fever at the Casino and paid homage to French singer and nightclub impresario Régine--the self-styled Queen of the Night--who passed away this year.

Gabriel Boisante MC’d the event and star chef Léa Linster was, as usual, the patron. Later, guests danced to a set by  DJ Greg Armano. “We couldn’t get people off the dance floor,” said Magaly.