Seychelles’ most influential women will be sailing around Seychelles in 18 Bays |10 May 2023
As an oceanic state, small Seychelles will be making huge waves for this year’s World Oceans Day.
Initially conceptualised to raise awareness on the marine environment, the ‘Around Seychelles in 18 Bays’ event provides a platform for the country to celebrate its high achieving women and those working in the maritime sector. Women are very caring beings and it is only fitting that funds will be raised during this celebration to help support the country’s sick children through the Liam’s Rainbow Foundation.
The project presents you three other amazing Seychelloise participants, so do tune in on Saturday June 10 as these fantastic decorated women sail around 18 bays of the country.
Marie-May Jeremie (CEO of SeyCCAT; President of WIOMSA)
Hi I’m Marie-May Jeremie. I’m a conservation biologist by training and I have dedicated all my adult life towards conservation of biodiversity, advocating for environmental policies and recently striving for sound ocean governance nationally, regionally and on a global scale. I have decided to take part in the ‘Sail Around Seychelles in 18 Bays’ event to help raise awareness of the critical role that our oceans play in our livelihoods, in our identity as islanders and Seychellois. Our oceans are under threat from pollution, over fishing, climate change but also from scary activities like deep sea mining that poses a risk of irreversible damage to the marine ecosystems. There is no greater way to celebrate and commemorate World Oceans Day than by giving the ocean a voice, through the experiences, love and dedication of this phenomenal group of Seychellois women. I hope to be able to share the energy from the other amazing women, and in doing so inspire other young girls and women to work for our oceans. I love the work that I do and I trust that I will be able to get others to join the cause.
Stella Afif (Vice-Chairperson of Liam’s Rainbow Foundation)
Stella Afif is an entrepreneur and business woman. She worked in the banking industry for five years before opening up her business, SA’s Tailoring, a well known tailoring business which has been around for 22 years. Mrs Afif is renowned for her altruism and has been an advocate for children in need, working in orphanages and the ‘Make a Child Smile’ Foundation. She is married to Vice- President Ahmed Afif. She is mother to a son and grandmother to three grandchildren.
“My reason for joining is two-fold: I am a firm believer that our seas and marine life need to be protected, and to raise awareness about Liam's Rainbow Foundation, of which I am a member. The event sheds light on both.”
Antoinette Dodin (Teacher and Singer)
“I am a performing arts teacher and my forte is in singing, my god-given talent. My students are my inspiration and I find joy when I see them become very good artists. All my life, I've been using this talent at the service of others and also as my means of making a living. I feel privileged to have been approached to be part of the team for such an amazing and important event. I have, during my career as a performing artist, participated in various charitable events but this one is uniquely different. I, a Seychellois lady, will be joining other ladies into making history for a very good cause. I have been given the gift of voice for free, so why not give back to society in any way I can.”
Contributed
