There was a wall at La Festa in Giardino where the people posed for photos. It was encrusted with flowers – orange, yellow, white, blue – countless flowers, so many flowers that I could guess at the painstaking labour to prepare them and put them in place. It was at once beautiful, but exhausting to imagine. What could inspire such detailed work? The students inspired it.

On July 7, all around us the campus grounds were transformed into a display of concentrated human endeavour - the brightest colours, the curving structures, cuisine and beverages from master craftspeople, and the performances. All of it was to raise funds to provide scholarships and bursaries to students from T&T and the region.

All the splendour was to create opportunities for people who otherwise might not have a chance to pursue their dreams of higher education and advancement.

La Festa in Giardino was the second ever UWI Garden Party, a fundraising initiative created in 2023 by The UWI Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF). In some ways, it is the descendant of UWI Fete, UWIDEF’s flagship event and the innovator of all-inclusive events in Trinidad and Tobago. Through its events (up to 2023), UWIDEF has raised over $22 million for students in 35 years, amounting to more than 4,233 bursaries and 77 scholarships.

On the Sunday in question, this ambition to support students came together for an event that was both Italian-themed and deeply Trinbagonian, Mediterranean and Caribbean in its look, feel, taste, and sound. It was a party with a purpose, filled with purposeful party-goers who came out in their most fashionable attire to enjoy themselves and make good memories.

And memorable it was, for those who attended the Garden Party, and the students who will benefit from the educational opportunities it will provide.