UP CLOSE … with Danio Vidot, a reservation, ticketing and cargo agent at Sri Lankan Airlines |18 July 2017

‘Listen to everybody but practice only what is right and take all criticisms positively’

On July 6 the whole nation watched as the proud Danio Vidot dressed in his graduation gown escalated the steps at the International Conference Centre to proudly receive the President’s Cup.

He had surpassed all the other students during the two years he studied for an Advanced Certificate in tourism and tour-guiding and even though he said he was not expecting such a reward, he admits he has worked hard and tried his best to be an example for others. Today the young man, whose greatest dream was to become a boat captain, talks to us about himself, why he changed his career choice and  his plans for the future.

Since he did his last work attachment at Sri Lankan Airlines, the company immediately saw the qualities in him and decided to take him on its team. Today he is employed as a reservation, ticketing and cargo agent, a job he says he enjoys very much and always wakes up in the morning with an enthusiasm and idea on how to do better.

Asked how he felt on receiving the award Danio says: “Receiving the award has made me extremely happy and feeling more determined for a better future”.

But Danio admits that he was not expecting to be called at all simply because he had not aimed for such an award but he had always encouraged the others to go for it.

“But I was always displaying a positive attitude and trying my best to be a good example for all the other students at the STA as I was also the president of STA Student Council. I had to lead by example, telling the others where they are doing wrong and guide them when they were on the wrong track. I took part in almost all events organised; either as a volunteer or because students were needed. Moreover I also participated in national events that STA took part in such as the carnival, youth meetings, forums and conferences and I even went to help the lecturers on the day of the National Athletics Competition,” he says.

Childhood and education

Danio grew up at Anse Louis in the Anse Boileau district with his parents as well as a sister and brother. “I still remember my childhood days going to school, coming back to do my homework, house chores and afterwards going out to play with friends. During those days the popular games we played were hide and seek, marbles as well as with other toys we had,” Danio recalls.

“I did this until the age of 12 when things changed and I had to spend at least 1 hour studying after school, which was a strict order from mum and dad.

“It was not easy for me because since S3, I decided to move to Perseverance with my mother and sister so I had to wake up at 5.30am during weekdays and took the first bus from the terminal to school. This went on until I reached S5. I had to struggle again for my IGCSE and I was able to sit for 4 IGCSE and 1 DELF following which I secured the course I chose and proceeded to the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) to continue my post-secondary studies,” Danio says when asked to talk about his education journey..

But what kind of student was he?

“I remember at primary school I was more relaxed, I enjoyed going to school without really aiming that high. It was after I moved to secondary school that I started to realise that I had to take things more seriously and start getting my priorities right and to have an aim in life,” he says.

“With my leadership skills I ended up being a member of the school council and always doing that extra part to ensure Anse Boileau school was always in the forefront. Of course it was not that easy to continue due to bad influences from some peers which sometimes discouraged me, made me lose concentration and interest. But with support and encouragement to resists influences I persevered and did it up to STA,” Danio says proudly.

He remembers he had many interests. “But my greatest interest was to become a boat captain or a skipper and upon making the three top choices at school I decided on the following:

• Skipper
• Police Officer
• Tour Guide

“Later by evaluating the way life was going, discouragement came and I ended up reversing my choices as follows:

• Tour Guide
• Police Officer
• Skipper

“And this decision remains as the first important goal in my life and I try my best to achieve it,” says Danio.

He says making a career in tourism was part of his dreams but not his first choice. 

“Tourism is the pillar of our economy and I always wanted Seychelles to be the best destination for visitors to come for their holidays, so that was the main reason I dropped my other interests and concentrated on tourism,” he says.

Danio expresses sincere gratitude to his parents who were always at his side especially when it comes to education. “They were very strict and attentive, especially my mother. She was always advising me on the things I must do and have and what I should not do, just to keep me on the right track, without forgetting my sister Gritel who also played an important role to ensure that I succeed in my studies and achieve my goals”.

Danio describes the two years at STA as a successful period for him.

“I was a determined student who always wanted to achieve in life. But as in every institution, STA also has the part where you feel disappointed but then again support from peers, lecturers and parents helped me a lot in my studies. My course specifically was not an easy one as I had to sacrifice time of my life to be able to focus and to study. But I am happy it developed me so much. It gave me self-confidence, it boosted my ability to speak in public, my leadership skills and much more and without forgetting discipline, respect ‒ values on which the STA focuses a lot.

But did he at any point feel discouraged and want to give up?

“Oh yes! It happened especially during the second year when things were not going the way I would like particularly in some aspects of my course like the bus tour part. I always got the part that was more difficult to explain in both languages (English and French) but with more determination and support I was determined that I was not going to give up. I wanted to make my parents and myself proud,” he says.

For all the support he received from most of the lecturers at the STA Danio expresses heartfelt gratitude.

“I wish to thank you all especially Ms Cecile (HOD), Ms Gemma (lecturer) and Ms Merna (lecturer),” says Danio.

Plans for the future and leisure activities

Danio believes working in the tourism sector has a lot of potential to develop an individual, opening avenues in different areas.

He says he has great plans for his future career development. But first gaining all the work experience necessary and developing all his potential and skills and who knows in a number of years set up his own small tour guide business.

“For the time being I plan to work hard and prove myself and live up to this award and see what extra it will bring for me, and try my very best to establish my business and have a family of my own later in life. This is my dream,” he says confidently.

Danio says it is unfortunate that at present he is not doing any sport but he used to play basketball when he was in secondary school.

But he has many friends from across the country especially from Anse Boileau secondary school, the STA itself and from the 10th and 13th Youth Assembly cohorts.

Growing up with both his mum and dad, Danio acquired the good habit of taking part in household chores and these he still does.

“Since I was a child doing chores in the house was part of our lives and I think it is a good thing I learned these things and I am grateful to my parents for teaching me to do these things like cooking and so on and I like being around the house helping out and doing everything I can,” says Danio.

Like all young people Danio enjoys music, live music concerts, shows, going to bazaars and disco every now and then, watching movies and taking part in other cultural activities but he is not one for parties though he likes hanging out with and being around friends and family members.

Danio firmly believes in upholding family values and dreams of having his own house before having a family of his own.

“Of course I want to be a family man and I plan to have a family in the future with a wife and children in my own house,” he says confidently.

Danio’s message for other young people out there who are maybe feeling uncertain about their career, future and are perhaps thinking of quitting or are feeling discouraged is:

“Listen to everybody but practice only what is right and take all criticisms positively, evaluate them and improve on your weaknesses. There is a time for everything so know the limit between social life, studies and choose your career carefully. Be determined and work to achieve what you want in life”.

By Marie-Anne Lepathy