The Soroptimist Club of Seychelles inaugurates 14th President |21 July 2023
A souvenir photograph
- Raises funds for a worthy cause
The Soroptimist Club of Seychelles celebrated a momentous evening at the L'Escale Resort on Saturday, July 16, as they inaugurated their 14th President, Janick Durup-Bibi, who will lead the organisation for the year 2023-2024.
The ceremony marked a graceful transition of leadership from outgoing President Myra Labiche to Mrs Durup-Bibi, who is set to embark on a journey of empowering women and serving the community.
The evening's ambiance was filled with enthusiasm, as various benefactors and friends of the Soroptimist Club gathered to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts. The proceeds from the event will be directed towards supporting the Plaisance All Boys Choir, which recently made its remarkable debut.
The event started with the symbolic lighting of commemorative candles, signifying hope and a new beginning under the guidance of the new President. This was followed by the official handover and presentation of the new office bearers.
The Soroptimist Club is now being led by Mrs Durup Bibi (President), Vanessa Ferley (President Elect) and Marie Ah-Moye (Vice-President).
As attendees indulged in a delectable dinner, raffle tickets were also on sale, adding an element of surprise and fun to the night's celebrations.
The Soroptimist Club of Seychelles, which will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary, stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of its members towards making a positive impact on society.
In her farewell address, outgoing President Ms Labiche reflected on her tenure and expressed her gratitude for the invaluable learning experience it had been.
“These past few years have been a journey of growth for me. I can honestly say that it has made me a more cautious and confident leader. I hope that, in return, I have also imparted some positive elements onto our members and the community as a whole,” she remarked with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Meanwhile, the incoming President, Mrs Durup-Bibi, took the stage with a mix of humility and determination.
She addressed the gathering with heartfelt words of gratitude and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead.
“I am deeply honoured to take up this responsibility and serve as president of the Soroptimist Club of Seychelles. With your support, we will continue to uplift women and work towards a more inclusive and empowered community. Let us join hands and make a difference together,” she urged.
The Soroptimist Club of Seychelles has long been at the forefront of empowering women, girls, and boys, fostering leadership skills, and supporting various charitable causes. Under the new leadership of Mrs Durup-Bibi, the organisation is expected to soar to even greater heights, continuing its mission of bringing positive change to the Seychellois community.
Rose-Marie Hoareau, one of the founder members, who was the MC for the evening, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all the loyal and generous sponsors who continue to support the Soroptimists, noting that without their support the club could not achieve the work they do.
In closing, Mrs Hoareau also launched an appeal to anyone interested in joining the Soroptimist Club to contact any of its members.
Over the past few years, the Soroptimist Club has achieved remarkable feats, including the Sewing Project in partnership with the Enterprise Seychelles Agency (ESA) and Seychelles Prison, funded by a US embassy grant (2021) and funding the renovation of a housing unit at the President’s Village (2022). Their annual activities include the Beach Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness, Pink Link, pop up sales, Women's Day lunch, and donations to local foyers.
Soroptimist International is a Global Volunteer movement network of around 66,000 members in 120 countries, with the mission of transforming the lives and status of women, girls and boys through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.
Text & photos contributed
