By Sophie Birkett | Head of Operations, Charitable Trust
Dear Supporter,
On Thursday June 12th 2014, the 3rd annual ‘Raft Race Four Rupees’ took place in the Baie Ternay Marine Park on Mahé Island. The raft race organized by GVI Seychelles has taken place every year since 2012 with the goal of raising money for the President’s Village Children’s Home.
This year four teams from GVI, two from the Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA), and a single team from the University of Seychelles and Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS) lined up in a bid to take the 2014 crown. Conditions were less favourable than in previous years, with a strong southeasterly wind creating a choppy sea surface, not ideal for paddling.
Once again there was variety of raft designs ranging from the simple to the extremely elaborate. Last year’s champions the SNPA were aiming for a hat trick of wins and had once again chosen a sturdy design with the plan of using their strength to take them to the finish line before their opponents.
MCSS who remained upset following the controversy that surrounded last year’s event, were determined to make no mistake this time and took an early lead. It was a position they refused to relinquish and by the time they had circumnavigated the mooring buoy to commence the return leg, they had built up a commanding advantage. In the end it was too much for anyone to catch them and the MCSS team completed the course for a deserved win in a time of 57 minutes. Second place was taken by the University of Seychelles with the GVI ‘Fire Urchins’ team securing third.
A barbecue and prize giving ceremony for the winners followed the event. Although a lot of fun there is a more serious goal behind the organization of the annual raft race event. Since 2010 GVI Seychelles has been raising money for the President’s village Children’s Home. In the past money raised from the raft race, similar events and your donations has contributed towards purchasing clothes and shoes for the children, buying bicycles for the home and facilitating camping trips to Praslin through the purchase of ferry tickets.
The 2014 Raft Race raised over SR16, 000 and we would like to thank all the participants and everyone who donated to the cause.
GVI Seychelles is now looking to install a Photovoltaic renewable energy system at the President’s Village Children’s Home. The system will reduce the cost of monthly electricity bills allowing the home to make savings that can be better spent directly on the children.
Recently GVI Seychelles placed an order for a 5.4kw PV System for installation at the President’s Village. The system will be purchased and installed in phases, allowing for it to be built up over time. It is hoped that installation of the system will commence towards the end of the year.
Thank you for continuing to support this project.
All the best
GVI Seychelles
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By Sophie Birkett | Head of Operations, Charitable Trust
By Sophie Birkett | Head of Operations, Charitable Trust
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