UAE charge d’affaires pays respects to Ms Albert and family |17 September 2022
A souvenir photograph of the visit
The charge d’affaires of the embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ahmed Alneyadi on Thursday morning paid his respects to Eugenia Albert at her home at Anse Aux Pins.
Mr Alneyadi along with members of his family paid the visit to Ms Albert with whom they share a special connection as she was a teacher to his children during the Covid-19 pandemic, teaching them several academic subjects during the school closures.
Ms Albert, a devoted educator for most of her life,42 years in all, has touched the lives of many through her dedication and compassion towards children, and their academic development.
She started her career as a supply teacher, and through training qualified to be a full-time educator.
Upon completing her training programme, Ms Albert spent nine years on Praslin teaching primary 1 (P1) up to P4, prior to transferring to Mahé, where she taught P1 and P2 during ten years.
Following her years teaching the youngest of Seychelles’ citizens, she moved on to the National Institute for Education (NIE), where she trained teachers, equipping them with what is required to teach Creole, and academic Creole, as well as the teaching of reading in the early years.
Within the NIE, Ms Albert has been instrumental to the development of programmes relating to methods of teaching Creole. Having facilitated countless workshops, she is well-versed in the teaching of reading.
“When I hear parents worrying that their children cannot read, it bothers me, so I tell them to bring their children for me to work with them, so they can progress with their studies. I love children, and I really love teaching,” said Ms Albert.
“Teaching is a vocation. Your heart needs to be in it to do it well. This is something that I have passed on to all of my children. It is a parcel and a package. I gladly provide help to the children who need help, my own grandchildren, my neighbours’ children and those I hold close to my heart. I don’t just teach, but I give them counseling so they can excel as well,” she stated.
Despite having retired in 2016, Ms Albert’s passion and flare for teaching has not been dampened. With the shortage of educators, she has often stepped in to voluntarily help out her community school, Anse Aux Pins, when necessary, something she still does to this day.
Extending a helping hand to parents in search of her expertise is something which gives her personal satisfaction, she stated, especially when her students achieve outstanding academic results.
In a bid to give back to her community, Ms Albert is working on a project to establish a reading centre at the Anse Aux Pins school. While she has donated some of the basic materials needed to start the project, she has kindly asked her former students to each donate a book towards the project.
Unfortunately, due to the tragic loss of her two daughters and sister, following a motor accident on September 3, the project is on hold temporarily.
Even as someone who is herself selfless in imparting what she knows to as many as possible, and in empowering others, Ms Albert was profoundly touched by the visit paid by Mr Alneyadi and family.
“Would you expect that a family would leave their family and country, to come and offer their support in a visit? I really appreciate that they came to spend the time with me, and to offer their sympathies and support for the family. With a grateful heart, I thank them, and I ask the Lord to bless his family, as he blessed my family,” she said.
“If you only know how much I appreciate the visit that they paid me. It shocked me, and moved me to know how another can really appreciate one, and how supportive they can be at this difficult time. I am really appreciative, and my heart will always be open to help others,” she told Seychelles NATION.
The charge d’affaires and family extend their deepest condolences to Ms Albert and family, and extend their support during this moment of mourning and grief.
Compiled by Laura Pillay