Remembering Angelique   |29 May 2023

•           Sympathisers show solidary towards the family

A group of people, clad in white and carrying white roses, on Saturday walked for Angelique – the three-year-old girl who died under undisclosed circumstances on Tuesday 16, 2023.

Angelique’s mother, Aneesa, grandparents and other family members, friends and acquaintances had responded to a call from Elles Foundation to walk in remembrance of the little girl, whose life ended so quickly.

The ‘Walk for Angelique’, organised by Elles Foundation chaired by Lorea Rassool, started at Stad Popiler to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, via Market Street, and it attracted people from all walks of life.

Mrs Rassool had been working with Angelique and her mother in a programme named ‘Stay and Play’, spearheaded by the National Council for Children and delivered by the non-governmental organisation. 

“It was important to meet today to remember Angelique and pay our respect. She was a little girl we knew and loved. We had worked with her, along with her family so it was important to show them that they were not alone, after losing a child,” said Mrs Rassool, adding they were all waiting to know what has happened to her, before their next course of action.

Angelique’s mother, Aneesa Sophola, thanked those who took part in the march and for showing their solidarity at this difficult time.

A similar message was conveyed by her grandmother, Dorothy Sophola, who expressed her gratitude towards everyone who has reached out and helped them any way they can during this trying time.

The Social Affairs department was also present to support Elles Foundation and sympathise with the family. It was represented by its principal secretary, Linda William-Melanie, who said that child protection is everybody’s duty and since Elles Foundation decided to do this remembrance march it was important to come forward and show support.

“Because it is crucial that we support the families, government, NGOs and especially children whom we know are vulnerable and need us,” said the principal secretary.

Mrs William-Melanie added that two or three child abuse cases are reported weekly at the Social Affairs department and their officers, along with the police, do their best to work with the family and conduct the investigations.

She reminded everyone that abuse usually happens to little kids who cannot fight back, or tell others and in settings where they know their abusers, mainly at home. 

“That is why we say it is important that as a country we all speak the same language, that we understand it is primordial we do our part to protect children because they are vulnerable especially the younger ones, who fear their abusers who have either threatened or lied to them and they are scared to speak up cause they live in the same house,” said the principal secretary. 

The National Council for Children (NCC) was also represented through its chief executive, Yasmin Umarji, who knew Angelique and her mother personally through a Teenage Parents Forum they followed at the council a while back where Aneesa was learning parenting skills as a teenage mother.  

Mrs Umarji said the sudden death had shocked the whole team and they all have cherished memories of Angelique whom she described as a “buoyant and nice little girl”. 

She said that although the cause of death is yet to be revealed, and it was too early to make assumptions, this sudden death was a chance for all those involved in child protection to review their procedures and policies and the way they work in general, to prevent the death of another child.

“It was a wakeup call and it touched all of us. This is not the time to blame each other but rather a time to support each other. Seychelles is a small community and everyone should come together to protect our children. We have done a lot so far but we need to upgrade the level,” stated Mrs Umarji.

She added that the country should focus more on prevention and advocacy, which NCC is strongly promoting in schools. However they need more capacity and support to enhance national coverage.

“We will continue our safeguarding, advocacy, and prevention through the schools and encourage other institutions to do the same, although we are yet to know the cause of death,” concluded Mrs Umarji.

Speaking to the local media was also the representative of the Women Caucus in the National Assembly, Audrey Vidot, who stated that it was a shocking news and they had to show their support and stand in solidarity with the family.

“The Women Caucus has been fighting for child protection. We need more resources to be allocated to those institutions which are also helping out and also target parents, support and educate them so they are more conscious of their roles as well as be in a better position to educate their children about the risks that exist in our society,” said Mrs Vidot.

One of the participants, Peter Lalande, said he had turned up for the march as it was a worthy cause. “We are giving a voice to the voiceless, a defenseless baby. We are not only talking about babies, but unborn babies as well, the vulnerable ones. Someone needs to speak up for them so I am here today as I saw it as an opportunity to rally around that cause,” he said.

For Muriel Dewals, who is a mother and grandmother, the little girl’s death was sad and child protection should be everyone’s concern. “We are a small country and although I am not blaming anyone, I believe we should re-look at our laws and make them more stringent and ensure that all children are safe and well cared for,” she stated.

Angelique passed away on Tuesday 16, and to date the police has issued a communique stating that a 25-year-old man was in custody in relation to her death. However, her cause of death has not been revealed, although the autopsy was carried out over a week ago.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the event.

Patsy Canaya

Photos by Louis Toussaint