Fair brings awareness of family’s key role |16 May 2009

The event is being organised by the Social Development Department to mark Family Day, celebrated yesterday under the theme Koste Lafanmiy Seselwa, Fer Fas Avek Bann Defi.

Attending yesterday’s official opening were Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton, principal secretary for social development Anne Lafortune and other officials from her ministry, members of the National Assembly, teachers and students.

Organisations exhibiting at the fair include the Women in Action and Solidarity Organisation, the Alliance of Solidarity for the Family, the Drug and Alcohol Council and sections of the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

People visiting the fair have a chance to learn more about family planning and related topics at different stalls and to buy products such as food and clothes.

In his opening address, Mr Meriton reaffirmed the importance of families in society, saying they give us the good values we need in our everyday lives.

“Through the family we learn how to respect others, how to live together and love one another,” he said.

He said many families are facing constraints as we go through this difficult period and he called on everyone to work together to bring about more unity in society.

Mr Meriton said the government, religious groups and other organisations are playing an important role in supporting families.

He said the government plays its part by investing in the education, health and social security systems and in community developments that will benefit all families.

Religious groups continue to promote moral values and spirituality as pillars of a solid family.

Other non-governmental organisations are putting into place various programmes to educate family members to better understand their roles.

Mr Meriton thanked the Social Development Department for this initiative and called on those present and the public in general to seek help when it is needed.
The fair continues today.