Ice cards donated to education ministry |08 February 2024

Some of the Ice cards (Photo: Joena Meme)

The Seychelles police have donated 15,000 Ice cards to the Ministry of Education to be distributed to all crèches and primary schools on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

Those Ice (in case of emergency) cards were sponsored by seven private companies last year after a request from the Seychelles police for the second phase of the ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign.

In a handing over ceremony held at the police headquarters yesterday afternoon, representatives of the seven companies, namely Lazare Property, Constance Ephelia, Gran Kaz, Halal and Tasty, Solei Company, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) and Anathara Maia Hotel, handed over the cards to Gina Domingue, director general of human resources and administration of the Ministry of Education.

In his presentation, police superintendent Roy Banane stated that the police saw it fit in their campaign to be closer to the community and introduced the emergency Ice cards.

He noted that during the first phase, the public reception was overwhelmingly positive and from the public feedback they thought it would be perfect for schools.

“This Ice card will be beneficial as the students will be able to input their contact details – either their parents or guardians – as well as other vital information such as their blood type and allergies.  If tomorrow they have a difficulty or need to be transported to the hospital, the information will help,” he stated.

Superintendent Banane added that it is not easy for the police to print and make available thousands of Ice cards which is the main reason why they knocked on the sponsors’ doors. “We thank those who answered our call.”

This was echoed by assistant superintendent Marcus Jean who thanked the sponsors who lent their support to make sure that the children are safe and sound when they are in difficult moments.

“In the police force, there are young officers who form part of our unit and they are training to become paramedics and this will help them as police officers to assist someone,” said assistant superintendent Jean.

“It also helps with missing children because communication becomes easier and on the part of visible policing, this will be able to help us identify parents.”

As for Mrs Domingue, she expressed gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Education and thanked the police department for ensuring the safety of the community by coming up with the initiative.

Mrs Domingue said she appreciates the fact that the donation is going further than the school to make sure that the children are safe even outside of the school. “I would like to launch an appeal to all those who are listening – parents and students – to make sure that we use this donation well. Make sure that the card has credible information on it.”  

Speaking on behalf of Gran Kaz, public relations and communications manager Shama Amesbury conveyed that it was a great honour to be able to help the police department and the Ministry of Education with the project.

“It is an initiative that is very important as quick and easy access to the information is very important and is the difference between life and death. We are happy that we were able to assist with it,” said Ms Amesbury.

‘Arrive Alive’ was initiated back in 2014 to educate people about the dangers of drunk driving and has since been kept active with various programmes, especially during festivities.

Sunny Esparon