SIF gives back to the Praslin community |09 February 2023
SIF team undertaking painting works the Grand Anse Home for the Elderly © SIF
Following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) resumed its annual give-back campaign with a donation to the Baie Sainte Anne Centre for the Exceptional Child, and painting and landscaping works at the Grand Anse Home for the Elderly.
The aim of the give-back campaign is to provide further support to the community of Praslin, where two of SIF’s sites are based, by making a difference in the lives of those most vulnerable, as well as the general public.
Funds and resources secured for the campaign were generated through admission fees and sales from the Vallée de Mai Unesco World Heritage site.
On January 30, SIF staff from the Vallée de Mai and Fond Ferdinand teamed up to brighten the Home for the Elderly. Over the day, ten bedrooms, an office and part of the ceiling received a fresh coat of paint, while two of SIF’s team members tackled the unruly grass and weeds in the garden.
Cindy Jean, administrator of the home, thanked SIF for undertaking the maintenance works at the Home, and encouraged other organisations to provide similar support.
She noted, “a clean space promotes physical, mental and spiritual well-being for residents”.
In addition, a donation ceremony took place on February 6, where several items including stationery, educational books and games, soft toys, sports equipment and more were donated by SIF to students at the Centre for the Exceptional Child.
Present for the handover ceremony were Monique Lesperance, head teacher of Baie Ste Anne primary school; Linda Marie, special education needs coordinator; Hazel Laurence, Early Childhood Coordinator; Lely Antat, deputy for Pastoral and Support; Merith Morel and Loona Charles, teachers from the Centre; parents of the students; Marc Jean-Baptiste, SIF’s site manager at the Vallée de Mai and Maria Brioche, SIF’s education and outreach coordinator.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Jean-Baptiste commented: “SIF has strong ties to the centre dating back to 2015. We have always felt the need to assist students with materials needed for active learning, and we are committed to maintaining this long-standing relationship for years to come.”
Merith Morel and Loona Charles, teachers at the centre, expressed: “It has always been difficult to receive sponsorship in the past, as such, we are always thankful for such donations. Everything donated are items we use to teach and engage with the kids, and they are all much appreciated.”
As a token of gratitude, Mr Jean-Baptiste was presented with a drawing of a coco de mer nut made by the students, and the ceremony ended with performance by Rahim Valentin.
Contributed by SIF
