Rotary Club enriches orphans' experience on board Logos Hope |18 August 2023

The children among other guests on the boat waiting for their turn to view the books (Photo: Sunny Esparon)

The Rotary Club of Victoria recently hosted a group of 20 children from two orphanages, on board the world’s largest book fair, Logos Hope, creating an uplifting and educational experience for them.

The visit was part of an initiative under the Rotary International theme, ‘Create Hope’, whose core pillars focus on mental health and education.

Accompanied by three dedicated nuns, the group of boys and girls, aged eight to 15, from orphanages based in Anse Etoile and La Misère eagerly boarded the vessel on August 14, during the late afternoon hours.

Each child had the opportunity to select and purchase three books of their choice.

In addition to the three educational books, each child was allowed to acquire extra volumes to enrich the orphanages’ libraries. The nuns, deeply committed to the children's growth, also selected books to further enhance the library’scollection and nurture the youngsters' intellectual development.

Funding for this heartwarming venture came directly from the Rotary Club, underscoring its commitment as a non-governmental charitable organisation.

Marie-Pierre Lloyd, president of the Rotary Club Victoria, emphasised that nurturing a positive attitude and mindset in children is essential to create hope. "Education opens doors and opportunities for people, offering a pathway for them to cultivate hope in their lives," emphasised Mrs Lloyd.

Reflecting on the outing's impact, Mrs Lloyd noted the initial excitement among the children, as they were understandably eager to acquire a multitude of books. Yet, their enthusiasm eventually led to thoughtful choices as they realised the significance of their selections. "They took time to consider options that may be rarer or harder to obtain elsewhere, making the experience truly rewarding," Mrs Lloyd added.

The Rotary Club's commitment to fostering positive change through education and compassion was evident during this memorable day aboard the Logos Hope. The event not only enriched the children’s lives but also underlined the transformative power of collaborative community initiatives.

Logos Hope left Port Victoria last night after a seven-day stay in the country.

Sunny Esparon