The Nice-based NGO, Friends of the Children, created in 2003 by Sister Emmanuelle, pays tribute to the victims of July 14 in its own way.
A painting drawn with “heart and love” by the artist, which symbolizes “not sadness, but life.” Through this painting, Sabine Géraudie wishes to convey a message: “we need to listen to and accept one another.” The painting, which depicts an angel sitting on a blue chair from the promenade, holding a heart in its hands, conveys various messages.
For Muriel Tran Ercolano, this work expresses “the love we have for those who have passed.” When she speaks to thank the artist, emotions catch up with her, and with a tight throat and tears in her eyes, she “thinks of all those devastated families and those innocent children who perished on July 14.”
A guest of honor came specially from Cairo for the handing over of this work to the city. It is Sister Sara, the patron of the NGO, who worked alongside Sister Emmanuelle for over 20 years. “When I found out what happened that night, I immediately called Muriel to ask how we could help?” Sister Sara emphasizes in her speech how important it is to remain “solidary and united.”
When the moment came to hand over the piece to the city, since the Mayor, Philippe Pradal, could not attend the ceremony, it was his spokesperson who came to collect the painting. “Thank you to the NGO Friends of the Children for this beautiful tribute; we do not yet know its eventual placement. But we promise to find it a place worthy of its name.”
Finally, the president of Friends of the Children announces, before the end of the ceremony, that “the sum of 1,250 euros was raised during the fruit sale organized last Sunday for the victims of the attack.”
