President's Award Programme-32 youths receive Gold Awards |21 August 2004

The 23 young ladies and nine young men received their certificates and badges from President James Michel in a ceremony at State House attended by government ministers, members of the National Assembly, volunteers of the President's Award Programme, parents and friends of the young award recipients.

Also present were members of delegations from Oman, Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar who had come to participate in this year’s National Youth Festival, which President Michel officially launched on Friday evening in a ceremony at Palais des Sports.

The National Brass Band was also present at the Gold Award presentation ceremony  to add vigour to the event.

The recipients qualified for the award after having followed the programme through its different stages over a total period of 36 months, whereby they participated in community services, skills development, sporting activities and expeditions. The programme is also affiliated to an international award scheme.

Altogether 59 youths had successfully undergone the initial six months to secure the Bronze awards, another 12 months to get the Silver awards, but unfortunately 27 did not complete the final 18 months to qualify for Gold. The ultimate challenge for the youths was the Gold Expedition which took place in Mauritius where they had to endure a three-day 84-kilometre walk and camping on unfamiliar territory.

Addressing the recipients, President Michel said this remarkable achievement was a tribute to the youth's pioneering spirit, self-motivation and zeal which have enabled them to go through the exciting challenges of carrying out expeditions in unfamiliar territory and sometimes unfavourable conditions.

President Michel called on the Gold Award recipients to "play a prominent role in the promotion of values of tolerance, respect for state institutions and compliance with other unwritten rules which are dear to our society."

The President's Award Programme, he said, is one of individual challenge conceived with the aim of instilling a sense of service and responsibility in the younger generation.

The government, he stated, would spare no effort in providing the supportive environment for young people to gather experiences that would promote their wholesome development and prepare them to become good citizens.

"We will continue to stand by activities that steer our young people away from harmful substances and habits whilst encouraging a healthy lifestyle," he said.
In their vote of thanks recipients Anna Alvis and Dereck Meriton said the scheme had enabled them to be involved in a series of social, cultural, academic and physical activities which have enabled them to play meaningful roles in the community and gain important benefits in the process. The scheme has given them new insights, they said, and provided them with much needed additional skills. 

The ceremony ended with the recipients performing the award song.

Mrs Bernadette Sifflore, the award programme co-ordinator, said the recipients will be absorbed in the Gold Award Association of Seychelles where they will become leaders to guide their peers enrolled in the programme. The association has to date 52 members.