RCSS marks International Volunteer Day with donation and activities for elderly residents |10 December 2025

After a full day of activities at the Plaisance Home for the Elderly on Saturday December 6, residents, volunteers, and staff of both the Red Cross Society of Seychelles and the Home agreed that the event was meaningful, engaging, and deeply appreciated.

The visit formed part of the organisation’s programme to commemorate International Volunteer Day 2025, celebrated on December 5, under the theme ‘Every Contribution Matters’. During the ceremony, the national society presented a selection of essential comfort items to the Minister for Social Affairs, Family and Equality.

The secretary general of the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS), Marie-May Esparon, handed over a sample of the items to Minister Pamela Charlette in the presence of the Minister for Local Government and Inner Islands, Evelyn Rose; principal secretary for Family and Equality, Mike Morel; Plaisance district administrator Mary-Anne Florentine; staff members and residents.

The donation, which includes blankets, pillows, pillowcases, bed sheets, kitchen sets, and bedroom slippers, will be distributed to all homes for the elderly and other vulnerable groups under the ministry’s care.

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, PS Mike Morel commended the RCSS for choosing to honour the elderly on a day meant to celebrate volunteers. “Today is your day – the International Volunteer Day – a day you could have spent focusing on yourselves. Yet here you are, once again giving back to others when many would have chosen otherwise,” he said.

The presentation, held at 9am at the Plaisance Home for the Elderly, also featured introductory awareness sessions on personal hygiene, first aid, psychosocial support, and disaster preparedness, delivered by RCSS volunteers and staff.

Minister Rose, herself a long-time Red Cross volunteer, reflected on her own journey in the organisation, noting how the skills and experiences gained have shaped her professionally and personally.

“I will continue to be a volunteer and help whenever I can,” she said. “This activity today reminds us that volunteers must be celebrated and encouraged. My journey with the Red Cross Society of Seychelles has shown me that what we do is important, because there is a real need.”

RCSS secretary general Marie-May Esparon acknowledged the vital role volunteers have played, especially over recent years marked by multiple disasters. “Today, we not only celebrate the achievements of the national society and the contributions of our volunteers, but also the important milestones reached despite challenges,” she said.

“We remember the major disaster – the explosion that destroyed our headquarters and nearly cost the lives of staff and volunteers in the early hours. We are calling on the government to help us rebuild our headquarters and find ways to better appreciate all volunteers. We are also proposing the creation of a national volunteer mapping and framework, which will provide essential data on one of the country’s most important resources – its volunteers,” said Ms Bastienne.

Elderly residents expressed heartfelt gratitude for the visit and the donated items, and many requested more such engagements that support their daily well-being.

The photos from RCSS show some of the morning’s highlights.

Contributed