On the occasion of World Vitiligo Month, the local association Vitiligo Educate Inspire & Support SXM (VEISS) organized a book donation and an essay competition in collaboration with the Concordia media library.
Initiated by the VEISS association, the event began on June 17 with an interactive presentation and an open discussion on the definition of vitiligo between students and Gerline Isaac (founder of VEISS), Jacqueline Vrolijk (president) and Stephanie Ward ( treasurer). In the assembly, 120 students from bilingual classes from two schools, Marie-Amélie Leydet (CM2) and Émile Choisy (CM2), and the Mont des Accords college (5th grade). During this event advocating tolerance, self-confidence and solidarity, 33 signed books were handed out with the aim of raising awareness and educating students about vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune skin disease. In the second part of the morning, the writing competition (500 words maximum) was launched for 5 students from each school, with the theme of inspiration. The budding writers therefore met on June 28 to compose their essay, in the presence of Dominique Démocrite Louisy, 3rd VP of the COM, Valérie Damaseau, President of the Culture Commission, and Line Helissey, head of the youth section of the library. The members of the jury, Marie-Jocelyne Arnell, learning facilitator of the National Education, Joy Carty, youth service agent of the COM, and Gerline Isaac, had to decide between the promising essays… _Vx
In accordance with the VEISS school initiative program, the winning school, Mont des Accords College, was encouraged to use the €500 donation to help students promote vitiligo awareness, foster self-esteem and fight against stigmatization and harassment. The winners received certificates of participation from the VEISS association as well as a bag stamped with the purple logo filled with gifts, prizes from Soualiga Slangs and the media library.
The winners of the VEISS writing competition
1st prize: Laycha MEJIA ESCANO
6th year Mont des Accords College
French teacher: Sophia ANDREW
Librarian teacher: Ange-Marie VENTHOU-DUMAINE
2nd prize: Naomie FLEMING
5th year Émile Choisy School
Teachers: Jocelyne FAZER & David FARLOT
3rd prize: Taïna EUGÈNE
6th year Mont des Accords College
French Ed teacher: Sophia ANDREW
Librarian teacher: Ange-Marie VENTHOU-DUMAINE
Here is the magnificent text written by Laycha Mejia Escano, winner of the writing competition and student at Mont des Accords college:
Vitiligo is a condition that can change anyone's life at any time but you need to stand tall, be strong and confident because you are unique, beautiful and loved. You are special, it is good to be different, do not feel embarrassed for the way that you look, embrace it, and don't let people bring you down. Love your skin, Feel good in your skin, live your life like you want it to be, never change your life because of people's judgments.
Think about it, would you like to be judged because you have vitiligo or look different? Don't judge people who are different, because we all are different!
Use these positive affirmations to help you feel better when you feel down;
I am UNIQUE!
I am BEAUTIFUL!
I love my SKIN!
I love being DIFFERENT!
I am not embarrassed of my SKIN! I have Vitiligo and I love who I AM! I love ME!
I don't see Color, I see Love!
Translation :
Vitiligo is a disease that can change anyone's life at any time, but you have to hold your head up, be strong and confident because you are unique, beautiful and loved. You are special, it's okay to be different, don't feel embarrassed about your appearance, accept it and don't let people put you down. Love your skin, feel good about yourself, live your life the way you want, never change your life because of people's judgments.
Think about it, would you like to be judged because you have vitiligo or because you look different?
Don't judge people who are different, because we are all different!
Use these positive affirmations to help you feel better when you're feeling down;
I am unique !
I am beautiful !
I love my SKIN!
I like being DIFFERENT!
I am not ashamed of my SKIN! I have Vitiligo and I love who I AM! I love myself !
I don't see Color, I see Love!
No comments