Interview with Miss Beryl Payet, board member of SNYC |11 July 2014
‘I want to be part of my country’s development’
Miss Payet, can you tell us about yourself?
My name is Beryl Payet. I’m 26 years old. I grew up on La Digue Island and completed my primary and secondary education on that island. I successfully completed my post-secondary education at the School of Advanced Studies (SALS) in 2006 and left for Malaysia in 2007 for a government sponsored scholarship.
I spent three years in Malaysia where I successfully completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Electronic Engineering with a First Class Honours.
Since 2010 I have been employed in the Radio Communications Section of the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) -- Seychelles’ Broadcasting and Telecommunications regulator -- as a senior engineer. I will describe myself as independent, devoted, down to earth, adaptable, versatile, humorous, but I can be timid and indecisive at times. Oh and I love teaching.
Why have you decided to become a board member of SNYC?
Upon my return to Seychelles in 2010 I found it imperative to actively give back to my country that has provided me with the initial opportunities to discover and boost up my potentials. Despite the fact that I was not very active in youth programmes and activities at district and national level organised by the SNYC, I have witnessed how my other fellow youths have benefitted from these programmes and activities. My objective was to be at the forefront of the development of the youth of Seychelles and ensure that youths across the country benefit from the opportunities made available to them by the government.
With such a vision I couldn’t see myself occupying a better seat than that of board member of the SNYC -- the entity responsible for youth development in Seychelles. This is considering that as a board member of SNYC one of my responsibilities is to advise and approve all matters related to the functions of the SNYC.
What do you aspire to achieve or become in the years ahead?
I am very ambitious and determined. But thanks to the people who have guided me through the years, especially my mum and my dad, I’ve learnt to clearly identify my priorities. I would love to have a successful career and thus I’m willing to pursue my education to a higher level in the near future. I want to be part of my country’s development, making the most of every opportunity that comes my way.
How do you perceive the youths of Seychelles today?
Despite our country’s physical isolation from other countries, we are greatly influenced by everything that takes place around the globe. Consequently, some of our youths are constructively making use of the positive influences while others are victims of the negative influences which are continuously creating a pressure on the community and the country’s resources. The youth of Seychelles is very determined and we are fortunate to have a government that have always put the development of the youth as one of its priorities.
How do you perceive the youths of Seychelles in the next 10 years?
Should the government of Seychelles maintain the development of our youths as one of its priorities, during the next 10 years the youths of Seychelles will have more opportunities at their disposal. Then the youths will be the driving force of our economy with the most determined youths leading others.
What advice would you like to convey to the youths of Seychelles?
Youths of Seychelles!!!!. We are all wishing for a better Seychelles. However, we need to understand that individuals and our current leaders on their own cannot achieve everything for us. Make the best of every opportunity that you are given. Let’s join together, set aside our differences and help carve the better Seychelles we are all wishing for. Lend a hand to the ones who are weaker and hold on tighter to those who are stronger. “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi.