Children’s Festival sponsors honoured |25 May 2017

A group of local benefactors have been formally thanked and rewarded for sponsoring the participation of a group of Seychellois children in an international festival.

Recently 12 children from Seychelles took part in the International Children’s Friendship Festival (ICFF) in Nevsehir (Cappadocia) Turkey. It was the fifth time that our country was represented in this festival.

The 12 children who took part in the festival last month are Marion Amade, Nirah Benstrong, Angie Boniface, Eltina Dorizo, Jill Dubel, Ashura Jean Baptiste, Vince Fideria, Leiran Jean, Kliuvert Mathiot, Anil Matombe, Kurtis Radegonde and Elie Sopha.

The ICFF is an event that is run by children and features performances by the children, highlighting their ethnic heritages. Various different nationalities are represented through music, among others. The children, especially our local ones, got the opportunity to celebrate their international friendship through experiencing the rich tapestry of the world’s cultures. This year the festival was held from April 18 - 26, with the participation of nearly 30 countries including Seychelles.

Since Seychelles started to take part in such festival, 61 lucky children have benefited from the experience, and have been able to share our culture with the world.

Recently the Seychelles ambassador for Women and Children Dr Erna Athanasius and the local ICFF organising committee, organised a small event to express their appreciation and gratitude to the local business community which donated to the ICFF Fund this year.

The certificate presentation was held at the International Conference Centre Seychelles (ICCS) in the presence of the Mayor of Victoria David Andre, the faithful sponsors and the children who took part in the festival.

Dr Athanasius thanked all sponsors on behalf of the 12 children and the ICFF committee for their benevolence in donating so generously to the ICFF fund.

She pointed out that many sponsors have faithfully donated to the cause every year, over the last five years, demonstrating their belief in, and commitment to, the wider educational development of our younger citizens.

“This was our fifth and very successful festival participation, and to date, 61 Seychellois children have now benefited from the international experience and exposures to the cultures of the world beyond our tiny shores. My passion for the project since its inception in 2012 stems from the visible difference seen in the children on their return from the international exposure, positive outlooks, increased confidence and self-esteem, an eagerness to participate in class and extracurricular activities, and sharing disposition among their peers and within their families,” she said.

She also thanked the Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles, and President Danny Faure who has always believed in the good that this educational exchange brings for the children who are talented and strive to do better.

The sponsors who gracefully contributed to such event are, Children Special Fund; Mr Sedar CAM, Seychelles Petroleum Company; East Indies Company; Air Seychelles; Seychelles Trading Company; Mr Altunc Kumova; Environment Trust Fund; Green Island Construction’ Islands Development Company; Seychelles Commercial Bank; Island Motors; Kannu’s Group of Companies; JJ Spirit Foundation; Zane holding Pty Ltd; Savondaravally Foundation; Creol Travel Services; Mr Somasundarajam Rajasundaram; Chelle Medical; Seychelles National Youth council; National Sports Council; Mayor of Victoria; Ray’s Music Room; Seychelles Tourism Board; Ministry of Education; Lalatianna Accouche; Benette Accouche; Marianne Amade; Paola Maillet; Rosalinda Sophola; Veronique Herminie; Earle Benoit.

The children giving the guests a taste of their performances at the festival