President’s Village says thank you to sponsors |22 February 2023

The children’s choir interpreting the song ‘This Little Light of Mine’

By Patsy Canaya

The President’s Village in Port Glaud, which provides a safe living environment for children in need, has thanked all the ministries, non-governmental organisations, private companies as well as individuals that have contributed towards the village over the years.

A short ceremony was hosted at the village yesterday afternoon by the staff to present certificates to the 51 contributors as a thank you note.

The ceremony, under the theme ‘Let Your Light Shine’, kicked off with the lighting of four candles by four boys who are residents of the village, symbolising the four directions – North, South, East and West – where they come from in Seychelles and each new day in their lives.

This was followed by a prayer and a rendition of ‘This Little Light of Mine’ by the children’s choir of the Seychelles National Youth Council.

In a short address, the village’s manager, Brigitte Balette, said the event was to recognise all those who have played a key role at the village and who through their actions have emphasised the partnership that exist between the government, the private sector and the village.

For her part, the senior child care coordinator, Miranda Hollanda, highlighted the various contributions towards the village, which she said was always received with open hearts. The contributions were through donations of food items or other items such as clothes, sponsorship of activities at the village or outside, or even renovation of the homes, prayer sessions by religious groupings or simply a visit.

“A little advice in our children’s ears is considered a huge assistance as well. It does not have to be a big basket of goods. We like simplicity as well. Make time for them and speak to them, share your heart because gratitude lies within the hearts,” said Mrs Hollanda.

She said the President’s Village also did its utmost to give back to the community, where it recently donated towards victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Yesterday’s ceremony also included presentation of thank you certificates to all the contributors present by Yasmin Umarji, the chief executive of the National Council for Children, which manages the President’s Village, and the village’s manager, Ms Balette.

When thanking the guests, Mrs Umarji said NCC was grateful to all the organisations, agencies and individuals supporting the children of the village.

“Without your support, we would not have been able to do what we do for these children. Your donations help us a lot to meet the demands for the running of the village. Your donations count significantly. The time you invest coming to the village but also giving, means a lot,” said Mrs Umarji.

She added that not once had an organisation refused to assist them when they went knocking. “Everyone that comes to the village brings something and not one person has left without leaving a little something either for the staff or the children. It could be a beautiful word, a foodstuff, clothing, slippers; they have all done this gesture and today it is our turn to say thank you,” concluded Mrs Umarji.

All the staff of the village were then invited to light a candle each, and guests were also given a little token; a candle to light up their way and protect them from darkness and a little packet of salt symbolising loyalty, as a show of permanence and durability.

Photos by Louis Toussaint