The fabulous ladies of International Proxy Parents (from left), Pauline Lindo, Marsha Nicholson, Doreen Rickards, Sheila West, Peju Wilson, Myrtle Cross, Eleanor Thompson and Veronica Lovindeer. They were out at the IPP reception at Villa Ronai last Wednesday. - Photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

After another successful year in 2007, the women of the International Proxy Parents (IPP) just wanted to say thanks.

So the ladies hosted a Wednesday evening reception at the lofty Villa Ronai on Old Stony Hill Road to show the diplomats and business persons that their donations and time were being put to good use, perhaps the best use of all being to educate the nation's young.

President of the IPP, Sonia Tomlinson, outlined how from a small group, the IPP now had membership from 40 countries aiding the cause. Some 53 pupils (all 'A' students) received scholarships for study at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels this year.

Two of the IPP's biggest successes were on hand to celebrate the event. Naomi Swaby, a final-year medical student at the University of the West Indies, and Andale Green, studying at the School of Music, are testimonies to the club's commitment to education. Naomi chronicled her time at Wolmer's to UWI with IPP aiding the whole way. Andale let his fingers do the talking, as he provided background music on keyboard for the duration of the evening.

Guests included Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua and wife Xiao Linhua, Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia and husband Jorge Crespo, Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Yvonne Gittens-Joseph, Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro, head of the European Union delegation in Jamaica Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and wife Fiela, Yoshiyuki Isoda, Roy and Sylvia Collister, Lucy Ramel, Phyllis and Peter Fong and Robert MacMillan.

Naomi Swaby (second right), a final-year medical student at the University of the West Indies, Mona, meets Lady Hall (centre), wife of the Governor General. Looking on are (from left) Sonia Tomlinson, president of the International Proxy Parents (IPP); Llewelyn Bailey of Jamaica National Building Society, and Belinda Sylvester, past president of the IPP. Swaby is a recipient of funding for school fees from the IPP.

It's an all-Latin affair as Panamanian Ambassador Ricardo Moreno (left) and Honduran Ambassador Jose Eduardo Norris sandwich Ecuadorian Consul Clelia Barreto de Hunter.

Christine Kaluza (centre) from the German Embassy shares cocktails with Ncomeka Dingwayo (left) and Karabo Lethaka of the South African High Commission.