Au Cap Charity Choir launches first album |12 September 2022

• Proceeds to cover a child’s overseas medical treatment

The Au Cap-based Charity Choir launched its first gospel and morality album in a ceremony on Saturday afternoon at Domaine de Val des Près.

The ceremony in the presence of the head of state, President Wavel Ramkalawan and First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, was also attended by other government officials, parents as well as sponsors.

The album, entitled ‘Viv Dapre Levanzil”, is a five-year project by the Charity Choir set up eight years ago in the district’s primary school under the guidance of teacher Denise Elizabeth.

She said the aims of the choir are to help young people to steer clear of bad influences, promote good living values, encourage them to become exemplary citizens and help others in need.

The theme of the album is promoting the spirit of love and sharing.

“When I look at our society, I can see that we are losing a lot of our core moral values and I wanted to make a difference in their lives, to show them how it was done in the olden days by our elders and to encourage them to be like them and live by these moral values,” said Mrs Elizabeth.

The album, with fifteen titles in English and Creole, are sung by the 35-member choir comprising students from primary and secondary schools from the district. They are accompanied by Mrs Elizabeth and her daughter Elsa and Marie-Stella Gill.

Mrs Elizabeth said eight songs talk about morality, while seven are “gospel songs that will enrich people spiritually on how to live a life that pleases God through faith, of how to live with love for one another, and also of how to show forgiveness, generosity, kindness and peace through the word of the Lord”.

The long-awaited album was launched by Roger Alphonse of the Universal Peace Federation – Seychelles, (UPF-Seychelles), who seized the occasion to praise the choir’s work for making a difference in the children’s lives and giving them a purpose.

“This will enable you to be exemplary citizens and in return you will be able to share your knowledge with others and help transform their lives. God, our creator is calling on us to live according to the bible and love and through the album the children are speaking to us and expressing their deep and inner thoughts as our loyal friends,” said Mr Alphonse.

Charity choir managed to complete the project with the financial assistance of various organisations. The choir also raised the much-needed funds through various activities.

Also to address the guests on Saturday was the district’s elected National Assembly member, Kelly Saminadin, who stressed on the importance for children to work alongside their parents and schools in their effort to promote love, friendship, unity and moral values in the community.

Ms Saminadin said this comes out strongly through the songs performed by the choir and applauded the children for their hard and excellent work.

“I hope when we leave here, we are filled with love, compassion, words of comfort and encouragement,” she said.

During Saturday’s ceremony, a copy of the album was presented to President Ramkalawan.

According to Mrs Elizabeth, the proceeds from the sale will go towards the overseas medical treatment of an 8-year-old boy from Au Cap primary school.

“We always give out what we get through our various charity work and this time around we thought it would be fitting to assist one of our students who needs regular medical treatment overseas,” added Mrs Elizabeth.

The album is selling at R200 apiece and those wishing to buy their copy can contact Mrs Elizabeth at the Au Cap school.

The Charity Choir’s next project is a gospel show in December.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the launch ceremony.

Patsy Canaya