Colombians raise funds to participate in Carnival

The local Colombian community held a fundraiser at Johan Cruijff Court in The Bottom on Sunday to collect money for Saba’s Carnival festivities, which will be held in August. This writes The Daily Herald. Saba University School of Medicine (SUSOM) and Child Focus helped organise the event consisting of several junior soccer matches in the morning. Attendants were entertained by plenty of food and music. After the matches, the children received 20 free soccer balls. In November and December 2014, other fundraisers were held by the Colombian community for the same purpose of raising funds for Carnival costumes.

This is the first year the approximately 60 Colombian residents of Saba want to participate in the August festivities. “Because this year Saba celebrates 40 years of Carnival, we want to join the fun and show Saba our appreciation and respect,” explained Miryam Hassell, who is a born Colombian. Together with a group of about 25 other Colombian nationals, Hassell organised Sunday’s event. “We plan to buy our own costumes and trailer decorations and we are still looking for sponsors,” she said.

Windward Island People’s Movement (WIPM) Island Council member and election candidate Eviton Heyliger was also present. “This is a great event for the youth in Saba, bringing them together and giving them the opportunity to play sports. Usually, for children in Saba, there is not much to do on Sunday,” Heyliger commented. He is a member of the yet to be officially established Colombian Cultural Association. “Colombian communities are typically tight communities, but with these plans, we’ll be able to reach out more to all the people on Saba,” Heyliger explained.

Another fundraiser, a bingo night at Eugenius Johnson Centre in Windwardside, is planned in May. Also, a Family Fun Day will be held at Fort Bay in June. Details about these events will follow and updates will be posted on a new Facebook page that will be launched by the end of March.