Caption:TelEm Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mrs. Helma Etnel (right) was paid a courtesy visit by the Director of the Art Saves Lives Program, Nichole de Weever, at the end of the program last week.
Art Saves Lives Program Director, Nicole de Weever, made a courtesy call on TelEm Group last Wednesday, to talk about recent activities and the program’s plans for the future.
During a brief meeting with TelEm Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mrs. Helma Etnel, Nicole outlined the achievements of a week-long Summer Intensive at Port de Plaisance Country Club, June 24-28th – TelEm Group was one of the sponsors of the program and its series of workshops.
"We were fortunate to attract the involvement of sixteen professional artists from overseas in our goal to use art as a bridge to education about the arts and how it can save lives," said the Foundation Director.
She passionately believes the Art Saves Lives Foundation can facilitate personal improvement of St. Maarten’s talented and underprivileged youth through creative pursuits and much-needed guidance and encouragement.
According to Nicole, the Foundation and its workshop participants are in the process of selecting eight (8) of the island’s most talented youths to take part in open auditions in the USA later in the year and the chance to make noted careers in the performing arts and other artistic pursuits.
"I would like to thank TelEm for their support and also encourage other companies to consider their own responsibility when it comes to supporting this type of initiative that is totally geared towards support or our youth, providing creative means for them to express themselves in a profound way. This support must be from the heart and must be given without expecting more in return than the improvement and benefit of deserving youth in a community that we must all care for," said Nicole.
She said she was especially impressed and was brought to tears at an open air performance of various acts on the Boardwalk at the end of the Summer Intensive.
"We have truly talented youngsters on St. Maarten. I was lucky enough to have parents who could allow me to follow my dream and now it is my mission and the mission of other dedicated board members to assist others, less able, as much as we can, to follow their own dreams," continued Nicole, a talented and highly acclaimed dancer and performer in her own right.
TelEm Group’s Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Helma Etnel said she was delighted to learn that so much had been achieved by the Foundation board members and praised the enthusiasm and dynamism of Director, Nicole de Weever.
"We wish you continued success and congratulate you for the efforts you are making on behalf of young people St. Maarten," added Mrs. Etnel.
Arts Saves Lives Program (ASLP) is a cross-cultural exchange between youth in need and experienced practicing artists who seek to use their talents for positive change.
The collaborative project selects renowned artists from around the world who use the arts to introduce participants to global and local traditions and empower them with life skills necessary to effectively deal with the demands and challenges of every-day life.