Talented Seychellois kids get costumes for carnival ahead of Seattle show |09 February 2013

Seychelles is a guest of honour at the event and will be represented by Stephan Fred, Alexandra Duckworth, Kelly Mathiot, Bertrand Payet, Mary Chang-Pen-Tive, Adrian Cesar, Carlos Bamboche, Michaela Lenclume, Ramia Barbe, Alexa Winston, Victoria Duthil and Jose Bibi.

The group received a donation of various items, such as pompoms, hats, umbrellas and others which are all hand-made. The donation comes from the special envoy of the republic of Seychelles for The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Nico Barito, and the Seychelles Consul in Tanzania Maryvonne Pool.

The donation was handed over on Thursday afternoon, just before a rehearsal session at the School of Music and was received by the Seychelles Ambassador for Women and Children Erna Athanasius.

Ambassador Athanasius said the ICF was brought to their attention by the patron of the Friends of Seychelles organisation Lise Church, and they decided to take part.

From November to December, they had over 40 kids who auditioned, and 12 were chosen. The group will dance, sing, play instruments and perform other feats for the audience. There is also one contortionist in the group.
Mrs Athanasius said apart from honing the children’s skills through rehearsals, their priority now is to raise funds for the trip.

“We have had fabulous response, especially from consuls overseas, and a few local sponsors, but we are still very much in need of sponsors,” she said.

Some of the children from the group performed this week at the opening of a playroom at Eden Plaza and the group will have a float in today’s Carnaval International de Victoria, where they will be raising awareness of the event they are preparing for. They will also take part in a fundraiser concert in March at the International Conference Centre (ICCS), where they will showcase the talents intended for the ICF.

“They are all really good and are all 13 years old and under. We have guitarist, keyboard player, violinist and more, and we are really looking forward to them performing for Seychelles,” said Mrs Athanasius.

“The parents of the children in the group will have a stall for fundraising at the Freedom Square for the carnival and we are also inviting people to come and see the show at the ICCS, because the funds will be used for the per diem and other expenses for the trip.”