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The Fundación MIR Magical Splendor Gala is a much anticipated fashion event for Casa de Campo community members and international guests. This 30th-anniversary edition, hosted by Raysa and Alfy Fanjul featured internationally recognized fashion designer, Naeem Khan and part of his Resort 2020 and Spring / Summer 2020 collections. The evening couldn’t have been more whimsical with candles lighting up pathways and guests arriving in glamorous cocktail dresses.
Guests were greeted by students as they entered the Fanjul family home and made their way to the courtyard where they posed for plenty of photos (see the galleries below!!) and sipped on champagne and cocktails. At 9 pm, everybody was invited to walk over to the dinner area where the evening’s emcee, Renata Soñé welcomed first Alfy Fanjul, followed by Lian Fanjul de Azqueta, founder of the Fundación MIR and Lyanne Azqueta, Vice President of MIR Charities to the stage. “We want to thank all of you for being here, for all the support you give us year after year. We are proud of the work and effort of our students and each of their achievements. But none of this would have been possible without the generosity, without the input, without the support of all of you. We are the chance that our children have to go up and help them to be better.” stated Lyanne.
That same night they also surprised MIR graduate Feliz Cruz Santana, who after graduating continued to work at the MIR schools as music teacher, with a scholarship to continue his studies in the university and we also heard the testimony of Dr. Juan Rosario, who graduated from MIR Campo Esperanza in 2006 and received a scholarship to study medicine and is now specializing in Emergencies and Disasters.
Then the children of the Fundación MIR presented Raysa Fanjul, the evening’s hostess with flowers, who responded with a brief yet heartfelt “Thank you, thank you to you all” and invited Maritza Bonetti to the stage who was also gifted flowers and stated how happy she is to support such a wonderful cause. The evening featured an exclusive presentation of the Resort 2020 and Spring / Summer 2020 collections by the prominent designer Naeem Khan. He is known for his ornate and intricately detailed gowns and for dressing personalities such as Michelle Obama, Queen Noor of Jordan, The Duchess of Cambridge; Kate Middleton and celebrities as Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood and Mandy Moore.
Again this year, various dresses were graciously donated by the designer in an auction following the show to some very lucky Casa de Campo ladies! Close to US$50,000, the generous contribution will support the many efforts the foundation has planned for this year. Khan’s adoration for the children and acknowledgment of the foundation’s continued effort can be witnessed in his special visit to the school which took place the day before the show at Casa Grande. After the Fashion Show it was time to show our moves, music, and dancing with a live band, and later Dj Luz, a magical night indeed, a celebration of the many years of giving to all the children in Fundación MIR.
Our congratulations to Alfy and Raysa Fanjul, Lian Fanjul de Azqueta, Lyanne Azqueta, and the entire Fundación MIR team for once again going above and beyond putting together another Gala to remember! For more than 25 years, Fundación MIR has promoted extensive education and health programs in its vocational schools for girls and for boys. Each year they continue to grow, both for their students to have a higher education and for their graduates to have a better position in the labor market. The following gallery of pictures were taken on Saturday, January 18th at the Fundación MIR Magical Splendor Gala by Yafranny Melo:
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The Fundación MIR is a non-profit organization which works to provide education to the children of the greater La Romana area, who are most in need. They run 3 schools; the MIR Esperanza (boys vocational school), the Escuela Técnica Vocacional Fundación MIR (girls vocational school) and the Primaria MIR (infants school).
For more information on the Fundación MIR and to make a donation, visit their website: www.mirinternational.org
To make a donation contact the MIR office in Casa de Campo (809-523-8270) or in West Palm Beach (561-366-5095). Donations are tax deductible for US Citizens!
To find out more and see photos and articles of events organized by the Fundación MIR – click here!