Women volunteers to be recognised |17 December 2013

Women volunteers who are making remarkable contributions in society will as from next year be rewarded through the ‘Seychelles Women’s Community Award’ or SWCA.

The award, an initiative of the Seychelles’ Women’s Day Association (SWDA), was launched yesterday by Vice-President Danny Faure in a brief ceremony at the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) conference room on Bois de Roses Avenue, in the presence of the Minister for Education Macsuzy Mondon, the Ambassador for Women and Children Erna Athanasius, members of the SWDA and other prominent women.

The ‘Seychelles Women’s Community Award’ which has as motto “service to others” or “rann servis” is the third initiative of its kind organised by the SWDA.

The association, chaired by Jeanne Simeon and which supports community actions involving women and children, have in its two-year existence already hosted the Women’s Hall of Fame and published a coffee table book of what it has termed as “Seychelles’ heroic women”.

The new award, of which recipients will be rewarded on March 8, 2004 on the occasion of International Women’s Day, will mark SWDA’s third anniversary.
 
According to Mrs. Simeon, the award will target deserving women who give time, knowledge and skills for the good of the community and who are considered as agents of change.
 
She said that it will primarily reward what she calls “unsung heroines” who are not followed by the press but who are selflessly and tirelessly working in the award categories. Those are Health and Social Development, Community Empowerment, Promotion and Development of Small Enterprises, Environment Protection, Peace and Harmony Initiatives and Promotion of Art and Seychellois Culture.

Anyone can nominate a Seychelloise over the age of 18 and who is currently residing in Seychelles for the award.

Nomination forms are available at the LUNGOS Office, district administrations, Cable and Wireless and Airtel customer services’ desks and post offices on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, or on line at madanmsesel@gmail.com.

Nominations must be submitted at the same offices or virtually at the same address before January 20, 2014.

The SWDA is appealing for sponsorship for prizes to be awarded to the awardees. Interested businesses or organisations can contact the association on phone number 261 23 53 to offer their support.