Taxi operators on Praslin donate to island’s state schools ‘As we have received, we should share with others’ |06 August 2021
Taxi association and schools representatives in a souvenir photo (Photo: Nadia Bédier)
Several taxi operators on Praslinhave joined hands to donate towards the state schools on the island.
The donation, an initiative of the Seychelles Taxi Operators’ Association (STOA) branch on Praslin, comprises face masks, hand sanitisers and liquid hand wash. These were handed over to representatives of the three schools ‒ Baie Ste Anne primary, Grand Anse primary and Praslin secondary ‒ in a small ceremony held last week at the Baie Ste Anne primary school.
Davis Fred, who spearheaded the project, shared the raison-d’être of such an initiative.
“As taxi operators we believe that we should find a way of contributing back to the society. Most of us received help through the Financial Assistance for Job Retention (FA4JR) scheme during the difficult Covid-19 days and so we strongly feel that it is time for us to assist another sector of our community. As we have received, we should share with others,” said Mr Fred.
“We understand the strains that the pandemic has brought to the schools, especially the economic strains to purchase sanitising and public health necessities.Sofor us they are as the ideal institutions to receive help from the association,” he added.
Mr Fred explained that although some operators are not members of the association, they welcomed the idea and contributed generously towards the R10,500 worth of products.Among the 90 taxi operators of the island, 25 are members of the association.
On behalf of the schools, Sir Andre Servina from Praslin secondary thanked the operators for such a generous act and for considering the schools.
“This donation will be very helpful to us. As you all know, the schools do not generate income, so we are dependent on donations from the community. Such donations greatly assist us in creating a better teaching and learning environment,” said Mr Servina.
He seized this opportunity to call on other organisations to follow this example and assist the schools in trying to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the ceremony, a special tribute was paid to a member of the association who contributed towards this donation but unfortunately lost her battle with Covid-19. Veronica Pointe, better known as ‘Ti Ka’, will be greatly missed by the Praslinois community.