Bel Ombre School receives donations from charity group |18 December 2004

The donation took place at Bel Ombre community centre, where the two-year-old fund-raising body had called a meeting to increase awareness of the charity within the district.

In addition to the computer donation the Hearts group also presented Bel Ombre primary school with a new table tennis set.

The donation follows the Hearts-organised Bel Ombre fishing competition, which raised R16,000 for the charity.

Speaking at the start of the meeting Hearts chairman Errol Dias, who is also the managing director of the Seychelles Licencing Authority, said that, "the main objective (of Hearts) is to assist less fortunate members of the Bel Ombre community."

Mr Dias said that Hearts, formed in 2002, will be holding a number of fund-raising activities every year, with a proposed raffle next on the charity's calendar.

In addition to fund-raising events the charity has also found support among the local business community, with the Impact Logistics Seychelles and Galaxy Trading companies both donating computer equipment.

"We've taken it upon ourselves to work with the Bel Ombre community. This is our district, the residents of Bel Ombre must feel part of the district so we have created five sub-committees to deal with the various aspects of the community so that we can promote the well-being of the district," said John Stravens, who heads the Hearts Projects and Finance Committee.

According to Mr Stravens the charity, which was established by Mr Dias, Mr Dan Frichot and other Bel Ombre residents, aims to promote peace, harmony and understanding.

"In the community there are varying political affiliations, religious affiliations, social standings, we want to bring all together in harmony," he said.