Africa-Press – Seychelles. The boys living at the Foyer De Nazareth at Anse Etoile were on Wednesday introduced to the Duke of Edinburgh’s international programme which includes a variety of activities to build self confidence, give life skills, educate and entertain young people.
An initiative of the department of youth and sports, Wednesday’s programme of activities saw 12 members of staff from the department join the sisters of the home in preparing food and also include the boys in the preparation and cooking of some dishes. Also present for the activity was First Lady Linda Ramkalawan.
Ralph Jean-Louis, principal secretary for youth and sports said the initiative to bring the activities of the Duke of Edinburgh’s international programme to the home is to give the youths there activities to occupy their time after school hours. He said the school holiday period is an opportune time to introduce the programme to the children and for them to spend some time to help the sisters in their daily tasks, caring for and looking after the young boys’ needs.
There are only three sisters taking care of the 18 boys living in the home.
Throughout the day the boys enjoyed themselves through different activities organised for them.
PS Jean-Louis remarked that bringing the Duke of Edinburgh’s international programme of activities to the home will bring more joy to the children and it also shows that society is not keeping them apart as they are also children of Seychelles. He further noted that the children must also be included in programmes that exist at national level.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s international programme is aimed at enrolling pupils aged 14 and above in different activities and it has three levels as well as other aspects namely skills development, service and physical activities. The levels are bronze, silver and gold and each has a certain time-frame and a number of activities to be carried out by the children.
First Lady Linda Ramkalawan said the activities will help keep the children busy, especially now during the holidays when they have a lot of free time.
Mrs Ramkalawan said she appreciates the initiative taken by the department of youth and sports to host the activities as it has given the sisters a moment to relax.
First Lady Ramkalawan is encouraging members of the public to engage more with the home and help in carrying out these activities so the children can feel to be part of society but not left out and forgotten.
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