Chevening alumni scholars from Rodrigues learn more on our Blue Economy projects   |29 July 2022

The scholars and student from Rodrigues (Photo: Kurtrine Albert)

Two Chevening alumni scholars and a student from Rodrigues, Marie Stéphania Perrine, Audrey Tolbize Ravina and Andreyana Ravina, are currently visiting Seychelles to learn more about our ongoing Blue Economy projects.

During their self-financed visit, they are being hosted by the Blue Economy department. Seychelles NATION was able to meet up with the three ladies during a working session with students from Anse Etoile primary school this week.

Ms Perrine, the spokesperson for the group, shared that currently, Blue Economy is the buzz word and not many understand what it entails.

“In Rodrigues, the fishermen do their regular job and that’s it. There is a lack of information on what Blue Economy is and how it can help boost our economy and what opportunities there are for our youth.”

A teacher by profession, Ms Perrine stated that living on a small island such as Rodrigues, they are experiencing the effects of climate change effects.

“Being Chevening alumni scholars, we really want to put into practice what we have learnt. We are having coastal erosion, high tides and Rodrigues is very dry as there is no rain. Compared to the past, we are also experiencing a drop in temperature during winter.”

So far, the visitors from Rodrigues have visited the Blue Economy department, UniSey where they were quite impressed, visited non-governmental organisations, schools and they will also meet the community of fishermen.

They chose Seychelles for their project because “Seychelles is the leading example, the reference, in the region regarding the Blue Economy”.

Tolbize Ravina, who is in charge of the Environment Commission, thanked the Blue Economy department for having facilitated their visit here.

Rodrigues, a small island under the governance of Mauritius, has 45,000 inhabitants. As many small islands, this island also was heavily impacted by the pandemic.

“Currently we have a situation where many have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and many young people have left to find jobs elsewhere (Mauritius or even Canada). We also have to manage our natural resources better,” noted Ms Perrine.

During the day, Terrence Crea gave a presentation to some of the students of the school. The Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari, also passed by to encourage the students to learn more about the Blue Economy and the opportunities this sector offers. In attendance was the head teacher of the school and the district’s elected member of the National Assembly, George Romain.

Vidya Gappy