Clean Up The World: Family department and Seychelles Defence Forces team up to beautify elderly gentleman's residence |17 September 2022

Around 35 staff from the Family department and the Seychelles Defence Forces teamed up to assist 91-year-old John Fernandez living at Beau Vallon by cleaning out his property.

This kind gesture is in line with the World Clean Up Day being observed today, September 17.

Mr Fernandez was chosen as the appropriate recipient of this good deed by the National Elderly Association, an organisation made up of elderly people who advocate for the well-being of their community.

The father of one refuses to have a carer as he is very independent but admits he has trouble with the outdoor upkeep.

The activity was organised by the Elderly and Disabled Division (EDD) under the aegis of the Family Department.

EDD director-general, Rosa Morin, said that this initiative is a step to improve the

living conditions of vulnerable elderly people.

"A clean environment is equivalent to a hygienic and healthy lifestyle. The division initiated this declutter activity around the ‘Clean Up The World’ day as

an opportune time to show our commitment to the welfare of the elderly people in the community,” DG Morin said.

She added that this will be an ongoing activity and the staff is delighted to help those in need.

“There is the family theme ‘Mon Fanmir, Mon Leker’, (My Family, My Heart) and we advocate for families and the community to step up and take on their responsibility towards creating and sustaining better households. As the family department, we have to lead by example and go the extra mile. After all,

we are one big family,” DG Morin said.

It took the volunteers the whole day to complete their task and Mr Fernandez expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.

The emotional gentleman thanked all participants and was glad that the team walked the talk.

The accompanying photos show highlights before and after the clean-up.

Contributed by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family