Busy Bees day care donates R23,200 to Liam’s Rainbow Foundation |18 August 2023
Busy Bees Day Care, located at Takamaka, has presented a sum of R23,200 to the Liam’s Rainbow Foundation.
The little bees presented the cheque to members of the foundation – First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Stella Afif and Erica Rangasamy – yesterday in a short ceremony at the day care centre.
The sum was collected through a sponsored walk organised two weeks ago by a group of children and staff of the day care.
Lisette Bonnelame, the day care’s coordinator, shared that the sponsored walk took place in the Biodiversity Garden.
“A total of 63 children aged between one and three years old accompanied by 10 teachers took part in the activity. It was an amazing trip and the parents also helped a lot. We have one of our kids, Ethan, who is having some health issues and we raised funds for Liam’s Rainbow Foundation as we know he will also need the foundation. He is our little hero as we see his struggles as well as the struggles of the family,” said Ms Bonnelame.
Founder and chairperson of Liam’s Rainbow Foundation (LRF), Erica Rangasamy thanked all the parents and children for the generous donation, stating that they were quite shocked with the amount collected for the playhouse that will be built at the hospital to bring joy to ailing children.
“LRF thanks all the parents for supporting the foundation. We really appreciate all efforts made by the children and when we see the children, parents and teachers get together to raise funds for the project, it brings hope. The project is mainly for our children and the whole of Seychelles will benefit from it,” said Mrs Rangasamy.
She added that the project will soon start and the playground will be located between the pediatric ward and the Botanical Gardens and LRF is appealing for donations from organisations and individuals to fund the daily maintenance of the playhouse.
“We will not be able to support medically but emotionally we will be there to ease the pain of our children. We also hope to provide a small gift to the children who complete their treatment and this is where we will need more support,” added Mrs Rangasamy.
The patron of the foundation, First Lady Linda Ramkalawan said they were deeply touched by the gesture of the Busy Bees Day Care.
“A gesture from small children means a lot to us and you all have exceeded our expectations. I wish you all children well and when you give you will receive blessings,” said an emotional Mrs Ramkalawan.
Ethan’s mother, Christelle Hoareau, who was also present for the ceremony, shared that “it is not easy and every day is a battle. Ethan is three years old and we are thankful for all the support we are receiving.”
Many parents were present for the ceremony and they read out poems, while the children performed two songs in the company of their guests.
Busy Bees Day Care has 80 children who are looked after by 14 staff.
During yesterday’s event, LRF also shared that it received R4,000 from the La Digue School on August 15.
Text and photos Vidya Gappy
