President Faure shares in children’s joy on their day |02 June 2018

Pupils of Bel Eau primary school and of the School for the Exceptional Child welcomed a special visitor in the person of President Danny Faure to share in their fun on Children’s Day yesterday morning.

Being among the first schools to invite him, President Faure was welcomed at Bel Eau primary with a standing ovation and big round of applause as the pupils showed their joy and appreciation in welcoming the special guest.  

Children’s Day activities at Bel Eau primary school took place under the theme ‘Let Your Light Shine’ and the pupils read poems and sang songs they had prepared around the theme.

Pupils’ creative writing with which they took part in a poetry, essay and drawing competition and in which they showed their talents and how they can shine was on display in an exhibition and President Faure took time to view and marvelled at the pupils’ creativity. 

Addressing the pupils afterwards President Faure commended them for their hard work and creativity and urged them to continue to shine.

He reaffirmed the love and compassion the country and its leaders as well as all the teachers and other members of staff have for the children of this country.

“We are all here because we care for you all and we want to show you this today on your day by being present to spend time with you. We love each and every one of you and we want you too to love one another. At school just like at home there should always be love for one another,” President Faure told the pupils.  

He also called on all the adults -- teachers, other school staff and parents -- to shower all the children in their care with love.  

The president commended the teachers and staff of the school for their hard work and devotion to educate the pupils and urged them to continue to guide them so that they grow to become exemplary citizens.

As for the parents and members of the school’s council, President Faure called on them to continue to play their role as responsible parents and to support the school and their children.

With regard to the school’s chosen theme for this auspicious day, President Faure said the role each of the adults play in the lives of the pupils is the light that will guide them in the direction the school and society want them to go. But there again the President stressed that it is only with love and great devotion that this would be possible.     

The pupils of Bel Eau primary handed President Faure a model of their school as a gift to remember the visit while the chief executive of the Children’s Foundation Noella Gonthier presented the head teacher, Jane Laurette, with a printer.

Ms Laurette, on behalf of her staff and pupils, thanked President Faure for making time to come and share in the joy of the pupils on their special day.

She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Seychelles Children’s Foundation for the gift of the printer which she said will go to the Labourdonnais crèche which is quite far from the primary school itself.

“The printer will really be of great help to us and we really appreciate the gift,” Ms Laurette said while translating her staff and pupils’ appreciation to President Faure and Ms Gonthier.

Ms Laurette also extended heartfelt gratitude to the school’s council as well as all the parents and other individuals who supported them in making the day memorable for the pupils.

Leaving Bel Eau school President Faure made his way to the School for the Exceptional Child where he was welcomed by the head teacher, Heidi Francourt, a group of pupils as well as other members of staff.

President Faure accompanied by the principal secretary for Social Affairs in the Ministry of Family Affairs Linda William Melanie, Ms Gonthier and the chief executive of the Welfare Agency Marcus Simeon, toured all the 11 classrooms each of which holds different number of children each with different types and severity of disabilities.

President Faure took time to interact with the pupils trying to understand their language while trying to be part of their world in the short time he had. Teachers and parents told the president of their joy to receive him at the school on this day while at the same time making known to him their challenges faced with the children’s disabilities and special needs.

“We are really privileged that you have spared time to visit us and spend time with the children with special needs. Like you said in your message for Children’s Day Mr President children need love and respect and here at the school for children with special needs this is what we do every day. We give our special children lots of love and compassion,” Ms Francourt said.

Ms Francourt said her team strive hard to work with the pupils in their care to develop their skills, guide them and instill in them all the life skills they need based on their ability of course, to be independent in their lives.

President Faure received a painting as a gift from the pupils while Ms Gonthier handed Ms Francourt a gas cooker to help the pupils in their home economics classes.

Schools around the country each organised different activities to add to the fun and joy of Children’s Day. The crèche pupils of Les Mamelles decided to beautify their school compound by planting some potted plants parents provided.

The teacher in charge of the crèche, Renelle Annacoura, said it is a way to encourage pupils from a very tender age to be conscious of the importance of having a pleasant environment.

Meanwhile many other schools around the country received special donations to mark Children’s Day. Au Cap school pupils received R5000 from Takamaka Bay to organise the event, Anse Aux Pins pupils received a new early childhood playground, La Retraite school received TV sets from Kannu’s Group, Anse Royale primary made a special donation to a pupil while the Baie Lazare pupils, teachers and other staff made a donation to a staff member on a long medical leave.