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Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

NCC launches ‘gratitude campaign’ |31 January 2013

NCC launches ‘gratitude campaign’

A group of pupils from Plaisance primary and the School for the Exceptional Child singing a ‘thank-you’ song

Several parents of the 52 school children were also present for the occasion.
Before saying a blessing for the school, the pupils and the teachers, Bishop French Chang-Him, a prominent NCC member, said we must be thankful to God for our lives and our health.
 
He added that giving is also a gift in itself, as in return we receive smiles of gratitude, which warm our hearts.

Bishop French also said that we must appreciate all gifts, however small, given with a good heart and without consideration of its monetary value.

Education Minister Macsuzy Mondon, who is also the chairperson of NCC, underlined the virtues of gratitude, in line with the adopted theme “Gratitude makes attitude”.

She said that first and foremost are the special people in our lives; family, friends, children, colleagues and everyone who have made a difference. There are so many positives in life to feel good about.

 
Pupils and other guests expressing their gratitude on a big board

“I appreciate the health I have been given, because health is the gift of life.  I am grateful that I can get out of bed in the morning. Imagine the people, who want to, but cannot because of disability,” Mrs Mondon said.

She asked: “How many of us go through life each day, taking everything for granted?  How many of us wake up in the morning and give thanks for the new day in our life, the air that we breathe, the clean water that runs through our taps, etc?”

Mrs Mondon said gratitude is a choice we make when we shift our focus from one of lack to one of abundance.

“It is one of the most powerful emotions we can use to bring all good into our lives for absolute abundance,” she said.

She urged the children to be grateful to their parents, teachers and the opportunity to go to school. Many kids do not have this opportunity. She also told the teachers that many have no possibility of earning a salary or cannot even work.

“I, for one, am grateful to you teachers, and to you exceptional teachers and staff who care for and devote yourselves to our children with special needs.” 

Several of the teachers have been with the school for between 10 and 20 years.

She also expressed appreciation to all members of the staff of Au Cap, Anse Aux Pins and Pointe Larue schools who have helped in cleaning their schools after the recent floods and mudslides, so that children can resume classes.

Mrs Mondon also expressed gratitude to Bishop Chang-Him who is “a valued member of the NCC family and who is always there for us”.

The school’s head teacher, Monica Accouche, said we must be thankful for the little things, counting them as blessings.  But above all, we must give thanks to the fact that we are not hungry, thirsty or living in a war zone.

One parent, Daniella Chang-Time, thanked the 22 teachers and staff for helping the children develop their skills and being so supportive.

The manager of North Island Resorts, Justin Arenhold, said the re-painting of the School for the Exceptional Child is part of the hotel’s social responsibility programme.

He said that 10 hotel staff from food & beverage, house-keeping and other departments travelled to Mahe -- a two-hour journey -- and were joined by two other employees from the logistics and finance department in Victoria.

Staff of North Island resort painting the classroom

Mr Arenhold said North Island, owned by a Russian couple but managed by Wilderness Safaris, has adopted the school and will undertake other welfare projects as and when requested by the NCC.

He added that Wilderness Safaris, with a commitment to social welfare programmes, is very active in eight Southern African countries, notably South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Zambia.

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