Book on values debuts in local market |29 January 2005

In an interview with Seychelles Nation this week, first-time book author Barney Elizabeth who wrote it said, "the objective of publishing the book was to enhance our way of living and subjects covered in it will hopefully help in bringing about growth in individuals."

He said the book mainly targets the youths "because they are the future of country."
The booklet's cover urges people to read, understand and practice the contents.

A publisher's note on the back cover sums up the book as a collection of reflections and positive thinking aiming at upgrading human development, with the aim of instilling in an individual the qualities needed for a better living.
"The truest success in life is in the development of the self," Mr Elizabeth said.

"In my daily walks of life I can see a shortfall of moral values, which are important in the development of a healthy nation and these moral values start at home where primary non-formal education begins," he said.

Mr Elizabeth said that it took him eight months to carry out necessary research for the book"s compilation, which took him another two months to complete.

1000 booklets have been published and are going at a price of R7 each, outlets in Victoria where the books can be purchased include the Antigone bookstore in Temooljee's Arcade, the Aglican Mission bookshop at St. Paul"s Cathedral, JD"s stationary shop on  Huteau Lane and the Roman Catholic Church.

Books can also be bought from the Family Association and Good Sheperd Church in Mont Fleuri.               
Mr Elizabeth said that he studied many other books such as the Family Alter – a compilation of quotes from different pastors – to compile the booklet and that he also used quotes from the Bible.

Themes featured in the book include weeds of anger, seeds of patience, rules for living, overcoming failure, courage and determination, and developing the right attitude.

He also suggested that another book is in the making – "maybe this year, somewhere in August or September I"ll be tackling the second volume," he added.

"I think that people need to hear these strong words in our society," he said, thanking the Ministry of Education and Youth for sponsoring publication of the booklet.

Readers wishing to contact Mr Elizabeth can send mail to barney@seychelles.sc.