Femmes Développement dinner

Femmes Développement

The annual fundraiser returns with a Casablanca themed party

The cancellation of its annual charity dinner in October last year was a bitter blow for ’s fundraising and public awareness efforts. The charity, which was established in 2004 to help widows of the genocide in Rwanda through microfinance loans, now hopes to hold the 2021 party on 21 October at the traditional venue, Casino2000 in Mondorf-les-Bains.

“We believe people are ready for a good party again, and our projects surely need the support,” says Magaly Carroll, who has been one of the chief organisers of the event since its inception. As well as thousands of microfinancing loans, the charity’s field work in Rwanda includes plans for a school for 2,000 children in the town of Nyanza, a Village d’Enfants to educate and house 300 children, grants to sponsor university students, a health centre in Bushekeri.

The event will follow Casino security protocols, which under current restrictions allow for a maximum of 300 guests. This year’s theme is Casablanca, which coincides next year’s 80th anniversary of the Michael Curtiz’s famous film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

Entertainment will be provided by belly dancers--“classy ones from Brussels,” says Magaly --and piano interpretations of music associated with the movie, including the evergreen As Time Goes By.

Guests will also be able to buy tickets for the charity dinner’s renowned “fabulous tombola”, which included a few precious prizes that were accumulated from last year’s postponed event. “We promise not to disappoint,” says Magaly.  for more information.