Based on the belief that a child's journey through life should be an odyssey of wonder, learning and, most of all, love, a 2001 calendar that both celebrates and benefits Bermuda's children will reach retailers' shelves this weekend.

The calendar, entitled `2001 -- A Child's Odyssey', is the result of a fundraising effort by Vicki Abraham and Lenore Leitch to benefit The Coalition for the Protection of Children.

Miss Leitch, who had the idea for such a calendar some time ago, this year put forth the concept to Miss Abraham who enthusiastically jumped on board to co-produce the large, full-colour, 13-month calendar.

"I had wanted to do this kind of calendar for a long time,'' said Miss Leitch.

"Children are my favourite subjects to photograph and the Coalition for the Protection of Children is a very deserving charity that does a tremendous amount for Bermuda's children and their families. It just made sense to marry the two ideas and produce a calendar that would benefit its subjects -- children.'' The biggest obstacle to getting a project like this off the ground is, of course, the printing cost, said Miss Abraham, who is helping to market the calendar.

"Our object was to cover the cost of printing by approaching companies to sponsor each page of the calendar. We found that Bermuda businesses, both local and international, loved the idea of a children's calendar and were very glad to participate.

"In fact, in the end, we had more sponsors than pages -- very happy predicament indeed.'' Major sponsors of the calendar include Astwood Dickinson, The Beach, BCM McAlpine, Pool Care/Sash and Trim, The Total Group, Coldwell Banker JW Bermuda Realty, Wonderbread, First Bermuda Securities, Bermuda Savings and Loan, AON Group (Bermuda) Ltd, International Advisory Services Ltd, LaSalle Ltd and Gemini Submarine Cable System Limited.

"We've heard again and again during the course of production that a children's calendar is just what Bermuda needs,'' said Miss Leitch, who designed and produced the artwork for the project.

"We don't know why it has never been done before. There are lots of calendars full of Bermuda scenery, all very beautiful, but we know that Bermuda's true beauty is reflected most poignantly in the faces of her children.

"I wanted to produce a calendar that evokes real emotion when you look at it, one that makes you sigh or smile, or even laugh, and nothing does that better than a great candid photo of a child.'' The photographs chosen for the calendar were culled from an avalanche of submissions received from a photo contest advertised in the Royal Gazette and Bermuda Sun which ran for two months early in the summer. More than 300 photos were submitted.

"Without a doubt our most difficult task was choosing the photographs that would appear in the calendar,'' said Miss Abraham.

"In fact, we ended up with so many great shots that we decided to insert an additional page at the front of the calendar so we could include a collage of some of the best photos that we wish we could have used.'' Both Miss Leitch and Miss Abraham committed to the project on a volunteer basis so there would be no extraneous costs incurred to the Coalition.

"The greatest thing about buying one of these calendars,'' said Miss Abraham, "is that, thanks to the support of the business community in Bermuda, every penny of the $15 spent on each calendar will go directly to the Coalition for the Protection of Children.'' The calendar concept has been such a success that the two are already making plans for next year's projects.

"We plan to make this an annual event,'' said Miss Leitch.

"The theme for next year's (2002) calendar will be "Best of Friends''.

Beginning in April we'll be advertising again for folks to send in their best candid shots of children with their `best friend', whether that friend be a pet, a schoolmate, a teddy bear, or perhaps a parent, grandparent or other relative.'' The calendars, printed by Island Press, come with envelopes suitable for mailing and gift-giving and are on sale for $15 each at the Phoenix Stores, Cooper's, Smith's, Michael Swan Galleries, Ord Road Lines Food and Liquor Mart, The Spot Restaurant and Llewellries Photo Shop and Studio in Somerset, as well as other retailers.

They will also be sold every Wednesday evening at Harbour Nights for the duration of that event. Orders can also be placed by e-mailing Miss Abraham at abrahamvicki/yhotmail.com.

Some 5,000 copies have been printed, of which approximately 2,000 will go to the sponsors, leaving about 3,000 to be sold in the outlets.

More details are available by calling The Coalition for the Protection of Children at 295-1150.

Photos submitted for the contest can be collected at The Coalition for the Protection of Children office on 38 Mount Hill Road, Pembroke.

Sisters: Gail Palacio's colourful photo of her three daughters, Pharaoh, Indigo and Maya occupies the month of October in the 2001 calendar, `A Child's Odyssey'.