45 years of public service: a tale by Laura Morel |23 March 2018

‘With patience, devotion, love and perseverance for the job, we will find the way forward’

On March 8, 2018, the Seychelles Centennial Women Lions Club (SCWLC) awarded a group of long-serving women who have worked in various areas within the public sector of Seychelles. Among the twelve awardees, was Mrs Laura Morel, who was recognised for her 45 years of service.

Mrs Morel was born on March 10, 1957 at the Baie Ste Anne Hospital on Praslin and has been living at Anse Boudin ever since. She studied at Sacred Heart Primary School (P1 – P6) and completed Form 1 and Form 2 at Praslin Secondary School. From 1971 to 1972, she attended the Senior Secondary School Domestic Science course on Mahé, during which time she also followed a private typing course after school hours – a passion which she wanted to develop into a career.

Following completion of her course after two years, she returned to Praslin and on April 16, 1973. Mrs Morel started a job as a clerk/typist at Grand Anse Praslin Police Station where she worked under the supervision of Inspector Michel Antoine, who was also her first boss. She was required to work from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to noon on Saturdays.

“At that time, there were manual typewriters and you had to use more energy when typing. It was hard in the beginning as I lived at Anse Boudin and had to walk 1 and ½ hours everyday to and from work through the La Plaine Hollandaise road,” recalls Mrs Morel.

In 1976, Mrs Morel got married and over the years she had four children which she explains brought about some challenges while she was working as the children were not at school on Saturdays and during the school holidays. However, she recalls that her parents and sisters helped her to manage the children during these times.

After a few years and based on her appraisals, she was first promoted as clerical assistant, followed by secretary and senior secretary. Today, Mrs Morel is an office manager and her main role is to coordinate the running of three police stations: Grand Anse, Baie Ste Anne and La Digue. On alternate Wednesdays, she travels to La Digue on the 9am boat and returns to Praslin on the 3.30pm boat.

She explains that prior to her last promotion, she gradually integrated into the role as office manager since administration duties became a part of her work and she had to adapt to this.

“I love the work I am doing and always have the desire to learn more. I get on well with my superiors and colleagues and we always work as a team. I have good relations with the public and I feel respected,” says Mrs Morel.

Even when at home looking after her grandchildren during her spare time, Mrs Morel reveals that she keeps an eye on her phone in case the police stations require her assistance which she is always happy to respond to.

As with every job, there are always challenges and in the case of Mrs Morel, these come in the form of any incidents that occur on Praslin or La Digue that require police reinforcement from Mahé. She explains that during such times, she is required to make arrangements for the accommodation of all the officers that come to Praslin.

She adds that this is especially difficult at the weekends when most guest houses are full. “I always stand up and make sure I organise everything no matter how difficult it is; I always do my best to make sure the task is done,” shares Mrs Morel.

Some of the happiest moments during her career are when she manages to complete the tasks assigned to her satisfactorily when working odd hours at the weekends.

She adds that it is through “the respect of the senior officers and colleagues, the team work and the good humour among us during the difficult moments, that we are able to surmount the difficulties”.

When asked how she feels about receiving her long service award, Mrs Morel says that she is proud and honoured to receive the award.

She adds that it is good to know what people think about you while you are still alive and how they appreciate your work.

She advises that “we must all work very hard in life. Problems will arise but with patience, devotion, love and perseverance for the job, we will find the way forward”.

For the near future, she hopes and plans to continue working for a few more years, after which she will retire to enjoy some time with her grandchildren.