King William’s College students and staff raised over ?1700 for a Moldovan charity fighting tuberculosis with their annual ‘A Taste of Culture’ event, held last month. The event, held in the Barrovian Hall at the College, featured an evening of exotic food and entertainment from around the world. Most of the work was provided by students in the College’s lower sixth and the event was well attended by parents and friends of the college. The evening began with artistic performances, followed by a presentation on the charity. Guests were then treated to traditional meals from the countries of the world, including German potato salad, French pancakes and Japanese sushi, with other dishes from Romania, Bulgaria, Scotland, America, Spain, Ireland, South Africa, England and of course the Isle of Man. At the end of the evening, guests were given the opportunity to vote on their favourite represented country, with Germany narrowly beating the Isle of Man and France to the top spot this year. A Taste of Culture is an annual event and a beloved part of the College’s charitable calendar. The event was in aid of the charity Speranta Terrei, which translates as ‘The Hope of the Country’. The charity runs a kindergarten in a poverty stricken area of Beltsi, Moldova. It helps to build facilities for the local community, with a particular focus on helping children and families suffering from AIDS and tuberculosis. The College has been working with the charity for the last four years, having been introduced to it by one of their own students who was herself from Moldova. The event is run each year by Iris Ferrier, a foreign languages teacher at the College. Iris commented on the evening: “It was a truly wonderful evening where guests and students alike had a fantastic time. There was a great team spirit amongst the volunteers when pulling it all together and it was hugely rewarding for everyone involved. I would like to thank all the volunteers and of course everyone who gave so generously to the cause.” Iris continued: “I visited Beltsi two years ago and have personal experience of the work that this charity does. Not only do they genuinely transform lives with shelter and healthcare, they make the money we raise work very hard in order to make the greatest impact they can. We can be confident that every penny of these funds will be used properly to improve lives.” - Ends -