Reading Centre opens at Ile Perseverance |21 August 2018

DA Dora addressing the gathering at the ceremony

nhabitants of Perseverance will have access to an array of books and computer and internet services with the opening of a new Reading Centre located at Ile Perseverance 1.

The reading centre, a project realised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), the National Library and the district administration through Local Government was officially opened in a brief ceremony at the district administration’s office yesterday afternoon.

In attendance was principal secretary for culture Cecile Kalebi, staff from the department of culture, National Library, SNYC and the Ile Perseverance district administration.

Students and inhabitants of Ile Perseverance were also present.

District administrator (DA) for Ile Perseverance, Christina Dora, revealed that the initiative for a reading centre stemmed from the Family Committee comprising members of the community.

She thanked all the stakeholders involved in realising the project stating that the inhabitants of Ile Perseverance are appreciative that their wish has materialised.

“Reading is extremely important for both children and adults. It is only through reading that we can develop intellectually and develop our language and vocabulary so we can communicate better with one another,” she said.

“The centre will benefit all our inhabitants and will make our community more accessible and offer them an opportunity to be more engaged with the community and its development,” she added.

During the ceremony, an agreement declaring the centre open was signed by DA Dora, deputy chief executive of SNYC Ghislaine Belmont and principal librarian Anne-Mary Robert.

Students living at Perseverance also regaled the attendees with a poem and song followed by a tour of the centre by all present.

Vice-chairman of SNYC, Darrel Uranie, said the SNYC places emphasis on developing youth through sports and other such activities and that the reading centre will be useful to the many children in the local community.

He urged the youth of Perseverance to make use of the centre and to keep it in pristine condition for everyone.

The reading centre will be open daily for all residents of Ile Perseverance who wish to borrow books or make use of other services. A wide range of books are available including reference books, fiction and non-fiction for children of all ages and adults.

Senior librarian at the National Library, Marie-Cecile Radegonde, said the centre will benefit the many families in the community as the National Library has a vision to provide easier access to information by everyone.

Two staff members from the National Library will oversee the library.

Books can be borrowed at no costs while a small fee applies for internet services. 

Various activities have been organised for children of the community throughout the holiday period.