Rotary Club of Victoria donates to Plaisance Secondary School |20 July 2017

In a school compound a bench is much more than just a bench: it is a place where students can gather and share ideas, a place of relaxation, a place where they can grab a bite before going back to class.

It is not at all surprising then that the Rotary Club of Victoria has chosen to donate nine new concrete benches to the Plaisance Secondary School.

These benches were officially handed over to the school in a ceremony held yesterday in the presence of the principal secretary for education Odile De Comarmond, the school’s head teacher Raymonde Lavigne, members of Rotary Club of Victoria, teachers and students.

The Rotary Club also donated two billboards promoting healthy eating and another 28 similar billboards which will be shared among all state schools.

The immediate past president of Rotary Club Victoria said the donation emphasises the organisation’s continued participation in the social, educational and economic development of Seychelles.

“This request came from the Ministry of Education and we were glad to respond to it. We focused on education and health because Rotary felt these areas needed additional support,” he explained.

Plaisance Secondary’s grounds now contains nine circular benches painted in vivid colours of blue, green, red, yellow and white - a patriotic salute to the Seychelles flag. They were painted by the famous young American artist, Daniel Gordon, along with teachers and students.

In his vote of thanks Daryl Adolphe, a student at the school, expressed the school’s gratitude to Rotary Club stating that students will no longer have to loiter around during break-time given that one bench can seat up to 40 people.

“Previously we did not have proper seating facilities. When we were having our lunch or break we were sitting on worn-out, old wooden logs which were very uncomfortable,” he remarked.

Ms Lavigne said that her school welcomes contributions from everyone in the community and hopes that other organisations will see fit to also participate in helping to provide a conducive environment for learning.