19th Ship for World Youth Programme-Local youths set for “life-changing” experience |15 January 2007

The group, who leave Mahe Monday January 15, will be accompanied on the journey by an adult, Bernard Frichot, who is an official from the Ministry of Community Development & Youth.

All eleven of them will hop onboard the Nippon Maru for a two-month escapade subsequent to a one-week induction period in Japan’s capital city, where they will learn the basics about their expedition, which has been described as thrilling and a life-changing experience by youths who have participated in the programme in the past.

The ten lucky participants were presented with their travel tickets to Tokyo during a formal ceremony last week at the National Youth Centre, English River.

Among the guests at the ceremony were the Minister for Community Development & Youth, Vincent Meriton; the principal secretary for Youth, Alain Volcere; members and chairman of the local Ship for World Youth Alumni Association (SWYAA); and parents and friends of the third group of participants to represent Seychelles on board the Ship for World Youth Programme. The first two local groups participated in the 12th and 16th editions of the excursion.

Speaking during the ceremony, PS Volcere noted that Seychelles are indeed fortunate to have been invited for a third time by the host, the Japanese Government, to contribute towards the ambition of the Ship for World Youth, adding that past delegates “must have made quite an impression” in order to secure this additional trip.

PS Volcere also reminded the participants of the aspiration of the Ship for World Youth Programme, and asked them to make the most of the opportunity presented to them, “to learn as much as possible and vice versa teach as much as possible to fellow youths of the world about our country Seychelles”.

The Ship for World Youth Programme is aimed at promoting friendship, understanding as well as a spirit of cooperation amongst the young people of the world.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Maryna Esther said that they are privileged to have been chosen for the tour. She vowed that they will perform to the best of their ability and live up to expectations set by local groups before them.

Besides Miss Esther, the other youths making the trip include Natasha Lesperance, Dave Bristol, Dianna Quatre, Terry Rose, Mervin Antha, Magda Franchette, Christina Marie, Neri Julius and Cindy Andibignon.

The Nippon Maru will leave the port of Tokyo on January 10 and will return to its point of origin on March 8, when its occupants will disembark and make their way back to Seychelles, and eleven other participating countries.