President Faure meets reps from two international charitable organisations |29 January 2020

The Lions delegation in discussion with President Faure (Photo: Joena Meme)

President Danny Faure yesterday received a group of representatives from two international charitable organisations – the Lions Club International and the Rotary Club International – for discussions on some of their major projects for the year and those in the pipeline.

Lions International’s local branch representatives of district 411A included the Lions Club of Seychelles, represented by its president Rajesh Pandya, the Centennial Women’s Lions Club of Seychelles represented by its secretary Abirami Pillay, the Rising Lions of Seychelles represented by Govin Pillay and the Melvyn Jones Fellow Club of Seychelles represented by its president, Durai Pillay, were accompanied to State House by zone chairperson of Lions of Seychelles, Sasi Kumar. Also present were the District Governor for Africa 411A representing Seychelles, Kenya and Ethiopia, Amarpreet Sembi, the Constitutional Area Leader for Africa 411A, Rajinder Sembi.

Leading the eight-member delegation, Mr Kumar described their discussion with President Faure as very fruitful.

They discussed projects related to health, education and environment among the many projects in the pipeline.

“Our discussion with the President was very fruitful and one thing is that we will be carrying out all those projects,” he said, noting that President Faure was very happy about the work they were doing for the Seychellois and also on their proposals for projects to be implemented in the coming months,” said Mr Kumar.

Mr Kumar further explained that as the motto of Lions International is ‘to serve ’, the representation of the four clubs with their different goals set, focusing on hunger, vision, cancer, diabetics, drug abuse, among others, are trying to reach each and every corner of our country in every possible way.

He noted that among projects to be implemented this year, they are planning to continue with their ‘Quest’ programme related to drug abuse where teachers are trained on how to handle the drug situation in schools.

The Rotarians, on their part, also got to discuss with President Faure projects to be implemented this year. District governor 9220, Raja Somasundaram, who is representing Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, Comoros, Mayotte, Djibouti and Seychelles and who was leading the seven local member Rotary delegations from Rotary of Victoria and Rotary of Coco De Mer, said that apart from discussing projects that are to be implemented, the President has called on them to consider building a shelter to accommodate youths coming out of the President’s Village.

“In principle, we have said yes we will consider and I think we can do that. But of course with the consent of the club,” he said, noting that President Faure was very happy to meet and discuss with them.

Mr Somasundaram noted that among one of the biggest projects by Rotary in Seychelles is the hospice project at North East Point meant for terminally ill cancer patients.

He also said that Rotary, through its support to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD), donated computerised tablets to primary students to help increase the literacy level.

He further said that the core idea of Rotary International is reach out and help the community.

He stated that it has been a tradition for President Faure to meet and discuss with a Rotarian district governor and it is a coincidence that for this year the district governor himself originates from Seychelles.

Apart from Mr Somasundaram, also present during the discussions were his wife Mangala Somasundaram, the assistant district governor Nandu Raghvani, the President of Rotary of Victoria Sarka Viktorova, the incoming president of Rotary of Victoria Angel Low, the President of Rotary Coco De Mer Georges Bibi and Vincent Hoareau, the incoming President of Rotary Coco De Mer.

Rotary is a worldwide service organisation of businesses, professionals, and community leaders aimed at offering voluntary service and humanitarian support. With over 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, the clubs are non-political, non-religious and open to all.

Patrick Joubert