Chinese ambassador presents gifts to elderly of La Retraite Home |09 March 2018

The Chinese ambassador to Seychelles, Yu Jinsong, donated gifts to the women at the La Retraite Home for the Elderly yesterday, as part of activities for the International Women’s Day.

As a show of appreciation, Ambassador Yu and her delegation presented the elderly women with gift bags which contained a variety of products that the women consume on a daily basis such as juice, biscuits and powder milk.

Ambassador Yu donated 50 gift bags to all the nine elderly homes around Mahé as well as Praslin and La Digue.

The Chinese ambassador was accompanied by the Minister for Family Affairs, Jeanne Simeon, her principal secretary Marie Josée Bonne and the Ambassador for Women and Children, Dr Erna Athanasius.

Minister Simeon thanked the elderly women for their service given throughout the years and described them to be “at the forefront of their country’s development”.

The presentation ceremony started with a vote of thanks by the director for the Homes of the Elderly, Sylvia Stravens, who expressed her gratitude for the gifts distributed to the elderly women.

“I appreciate the gifts given to us by the Chinese ambassador and I hope that throughout the years we remain good friends. The Chinese have helped us with lots of development and we are honoured by their visit here today,” Ms Stravens said.

On her part, Ambassador Yu thanked those in attendance and formally presented one of the members of the elderly home with a gift bag.

The recipient made a speech thanking the Chinese ambassador and her delegation.