Follow us on:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Archive -Seychelles

New family fun park opens in Victoria |29 May 2014

A real paradise for children

Children in Seychelles now have a new and modern playground where they can come to play and enjoy themselves.

A real paradise for children but also for the whole family, the ‘Paradis des Enfants’ as it has been named, was officially opened yesterday evening, to coincide with International Children’s Day which falls on June 1.

The new fun park which is a gift offered to the children of Seychelles by the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahan at a cost of R45 million, replaces the old Children’s Playground on the other end of 5th June Avenue. The ancient playground had served the children of Seychelles for the last 35 years.

It was President James Michel who had the honour of unveiling the plaque to mark the official opening of the park, in the company of the chairperson of the Department of Presidential Affairs of the UAE Dr. Mubarak Mohammed Saad Al Ahbabi.

Also present were former President James Mancham, Vice-President Danny Faure, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, ministers, judges, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre, members of the diplomatic corps, other members of the National Assembly and various children and parents.

On behalf of Sheikh Khalifa, Dr Saad Habibi symbolically handed over the park, which includes indoor as well as outdoor games, shops, eating and playing areas, to the people of Seychelles.
 
He said that the new facilities will not only represent an outstanding landmark in the city of Victoria, but will remain a symbol of the excellent cooperation which exists between the two countries.

On her part, the Minister for Education and chairperson of the National Council for Children (NCC) Macsuzy Mondon, described the ‘Paradis des Enfants’ as a land of magic and a wonderful and very special gift to our children which are our most valuable assets, born out of an exceptional relationship between the heads of state of the UAE and Seychelles.

She quoted President Michel from his first National Day address as President of Seychelles and from his message for Children’s Day 2011:

“Our children are the future of Seychelles and it is to them that I dedicate my service to the people of Seychelles and to the unity of our country […] Let us give to our children time for recreation and to develop their creativity. Children entertain themselves through play, they make new discoveries, develop their personality and they can also start to learn new values, such as respect for others.”

Minister Mondon also reminded that the Convention on the Rights of the Child gives prominence to the child’s right to play and to leisure activities, that the government of Seychelles has been proactive in meeting the standards of the Convention, and that children are given high priority on our national agenda.

She thanked President Michel and Sheikh Khalifa for the park on behalf of the parents and children of Seychelles, and called on the latter to make good use of the facilities.

“Together with your parents and siblings, explore, touch, experience, feel and revel in the many and varied delights of this amazing fun park. Enjoy it, take care of it, use it with love and respect and become its guardian so that we can all contribute to preserving it for future generations,” she said.

The opening ceremony also featured entertainment by children who also included the Angels’ Choir, and known artists such as vocalist Michelle Marengo, poet Ras Pyek. As a sign of gratitude, children also offered gifts to President Michel and Sheikh Khalifa.

After the park had been blessed and dedicated to God by religious leaders representing the Christian and Muslim faiths, the invitees and generally public had the opportunity to discover the facilities and of course, the children started to play.

The park which is designed to accommodate 1000 persons at any one time will open from 10am to 8pm daily.

The accompanying photographs, taken by our photographer Louis Toussaint, show the ambiance at the fun park during the official opening ceremony yesterday.

» Back to Archive