National Day for Persons with Disabilities School for the Exceptional Child launches tourism Club |13 July 2022
Coinciding with celebrations for the National Day for Persons with Disabilities yesterday, the School for the Exceptional Child officially launched its tourism club under the ‘Lospitalite ‒ Lafyerte Sesel’ banner, with the support of Air Seychelles through the Ministry of Education.
This was done in a ceremony held yesterday morning at the school and attended by the Minister for Education Dr Justin Valentin, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde, acting chief executive of Air Seychelles Captain Sandy Benoiton, director general for destination planning and development Paul Lebon, representatives of Air Seychelles and tourism department, teachers and students.
Following reflections made by two students from the school, head teacher Heidi Francourt said “based on the theme ‘Lospitalite ‒ Lafyerte Sesel’, Air Seychelles is among the first actors in Seychelles that tourists encounter when they arrive and there are many tourists who have a disability”.
She noted, while thanking all the involved departments, that the club will help them to give a higher level of service and compassion to these visitors.
Having received the chance to launch the tourism club under the ‘Lospitalite’ programme in partnership with the School for the Exceptional Child, Mr Benoiton thanked the department of tourism on behalf of Air Seychelles.
“I realise that, together, we need to use this opportunity to promote education under this programme by putting emphasis on sensitisation and importance of inclusion of exceptional children in everyday activities in our society,” he exclaimed.
“This will help the students under the programme to develop their potential through activities on the club’s calendar,” added Mr Benoiton.
Before declaring the club officially open, Mr Benoiton gave his words that Air Seychelles would remain engaged, active and devoted to ensure the club’s success.
The staff of Air Seychelles will also receive training on proper practices, care and service through individuals with disabilities on airports and on planes.
After Sandra had performed her song ‘Lavi i gou’, Minister Radegonde said a few words to commemorate the launch of the club. With only five other schools remaining to officially launch their tourism club, it is good to point out that one of the club’s goals is to equip the students with skills that will prepare them for the world of work.
“This club under the theme ‘Lospitalite ‒ Lafyerte Sesel’ has two principal objectives – to make the students conscious of the importance of this industry, and also engage their interests to work in this industry in the future for the betterment of this country,” said Minister Radegonde.
Following a presentation on the theme of the club, a cake was then cut as a gesture to celebrate the National Day for Persons with Disabilities.
Minister Valentin thanked Air Seychelles for “making the school fly”, through this initiative.
He urged the teachers to help the students understand tourism, so that they can be made aware of the importance of this sector.
Students of the school were presented with souvenir tokens from Air Seychelles, and received from Minister Radegonde gift bags from the tourism department.
Some students performed a dance which was followed with song performances by Taniah and Jah 1. The students were then invited to take part in a short quiz held by the tourism club members. The ceremony ended with a closing remark and after lunch, the students had fun dancing.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the launch ceremony.
Sylia Ah-Time
Photos by Salome Abel
