Community pleased with China-funded projects |17 October 2014

Officials from the English River district, together with the outgoing Chinese ambassador to Seychelles Shi Zhongjun, have visited projects that the embassy has funded for the less fortunate people in that district.

The visit, which took place earlier this week, gave the officials -- who included Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan, who is also the central committee member for the English River district, Member of the National Assembly for English River Kevin Vidot and the district administrator Audrey Saunders -- the chance to view the work done under the project funded by the embassy at a cost of around  R70,000.

“After assessing the demand that our residents had put forth to MNA Vidot, especially those who on their own cannot afford to take a loan and do the minor repairs on their house, our community has received help from the Chinese embassy to improve their lives,” said Minister Morgan.

“The mini projects are a chance to help make a difference in our people’s lives. I take this opportunity to thank the Chinese government in particular Ambassador Shi for the support and the help they have given us to help our residents,” Minister Morgan added.

The mini projects were done in four phases, the first of which comprised replacing the ceiling, roof and doors and repairing the interior of the houses.

The second phase entailed changing the ceiling only and doing minor repairs inside and out of the houses while the third phase comprised the living room and other little repairs.

Unlike the other phases revolving around the residents’ homes, the fourth phase will see the upgrading of the playing field opposite the Krishnamart shopping centre. There will be a changing room that will benefit the youth who will be using this field for sport activities in the future.

“These projects though they might be small are connected to the daily lives of the people here; so we are very happy that we can do our part in the development of the community, in helping improve the lives of these families,” Ambassador Shi said.

“It’s a pity that I am leaving next week and will not be able to do more than I wanted to do for the community and for the people of Seychelles. I do hope that my successor will continue this kind of work and to keep the friendship between the people of China and Seychelles strong and keep it growing,” Ambassador Shi said.
The accompanying photos show the delegation visiting the various projects.