Glacis and St Louis receive donations from Seychelles’ honorary consuls |07 October 2023

Uniform sets and socks to two youth football teams from the Glacis district

Glacis and St Louis districts have benefitted from donations through the ‘Adopt a District Programme’, which was initiated last year by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Tourism, and the Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs.

From this programme, students of Glacis primary received glasses and free eye tests made possible by the Seychelles' honorary consul in Durban, South Africa, Professor Mohseen Ebrahim.

Professor Ebrahim also donated uniform sets and socks to two youth football teams from the district.

The second donation came from Seychelles’ honorary consul in Kolkata, India, Kasu Venkata Rajagopal Reddy.

Mr Reddy has taken the initiative to sponsor a set of six computers, including a server system to the St Louis district administration.

The handing over of these donations was held yesterday morning at Maison Queau de Quinssy, Mont Fleuri. Present at the ceremony were the Minister for Local Government & Community Affairs, Rose-Marie Hoareau; members of the National Assembly for St Louis and Glacis, Sathya Naidu and Regina Esparon respectively; principal secretary for foreign affairs, Ambassador Vivienne Fock-Tave; Mr Ebrahim, the two district administrators among other guests.

Addressing those present, Ambassador Fock-Tave said the aim of the ‘Adopt a District Programme’ was to bring the Seychelles’ honorary consuls closer to the grassroots level, allow them to be closer to the people, and understand the challenges and development priorities of the districts.

It also enables them to see how best they can assist, she added.

“On behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, I would like to thank our two honorary consuls for their generous gestures and continued support towards the programme.”

In October last year, the Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs hosted the visits of all consuls representing Seychelles across the globe, to the 27 districts on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

The visits were organised as a result of the district adoption initiative, which was officially launched during the honorary consuls conference held under the theme ‘Harnessing opportunities through diplomatic relations’.

In her closing remarks, Minister Hoareau said this brilliant idea continues to bear fruit as the consuls deliver on their commitment, vis-a-vis the needs of their ‘adopted’ districts.

“Please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation for your commitment and generous donations to the St Louis and Glacis districts. Thank you once again for investing in our districts and in helping us build stronger communities. We know we can count on your continued support,” Minister Hoareau said.

“Today is another milestone in achieving the ambitious objectives of this initiative. The timely donation of the six new computer sets for St Louis by Mr Venkata will greatly contribute towards the realisation of the district’s Youth Services Bureau Project. The Bureau will be located in the St Louis community centre which has recently undergone major renovations.”

Minister Hoareau added that a total of 25 Glacis primary school students have benefitted from the eye tests and glasses, and the sets of uniforms will contribute to the development of sports in that district.

During the ceremony, Elvire Dorizo accepted certificates for the eye tests done at Vision Care from Professor Ebrahim.

Mandy Bertin

Photos by Joena Meme