Advancing Young Lives Through Education Seychelles

Dear Supporters, 

We support the President’s Village Children’s Home which provides housing and care for up to 65 children from vulnerable backgrounds. Accommodation and activities at the home are split up by sex and age group and while they do receive some government funding, they rely on donations to maintain and improve the quality of life for the residents.

Our main fundraising event was our annual raft race which was held in Baie Ternay on the 8^th of October and jointly organised with our partner organisation SNPA. This year saw the biggest turn out so far with 14 teams participating, up from 5 the previous year.  In addition to raising money for our partners, we also wanted to raise awareness about waste management. All the rafts had to be home-made from previously used and / or sustainable materials e.g. jerry cans, old life jackets and buoys, bamboo etc. It was really good to see how much effort the teams put into using recycled materials for their rafts and the event was covered by local TV and radio so we can expect an even bigger event next year! A massive thank you to SNPA for helping with the organisation and providing the trophies; To the Ephelia Hotel and Sustainability 4 Seychelles (S4S) for their prize donations; everyone who generously donated food for the BBQ; and of course to all the participants; families; supporters and donors who all helped make this such a special day.

To boost our funds for Presidents village we have improved our log books by professionally printing on thick card for the covers, updated species lists and turtle ID and reducing the books to half A5 so they fit in pockets easily. This has boosted sales of log books. In addition, we have started making purses out of used tetra packs that can be sold at events such as the raft race and the upcoming Seychelles Sea Festival.

Our next event ‘Christmas Creole’ is held on the 5^th of December and your funds will go directly to buying presents for the children. For many this may be the only gift they receive at Christmas and we are really pleased that we are able to give the children something they wished for. Some of our long-term volunteers this quarter have formed strong bonds with the children and I’m sure they will find it so rewarding to see how their fundraising efforts impact them.

Funds raised also go towards buying arts and crafts supplies and sports equipment to use at creole days as well as replacing floaties and snorkelling gear for our weekly beach sessions. In addition, donations are used to buy essentials for the home such as kitchenware, washing machine, deep freezer. Funds left over this quarter will be used to replace some of the old snorkel gear, and making sure we have a range of sizes to suit all.

Our involvement with PV will continue next year with our weekly snorkel sessions, we are discussing other ways we can help the home e.g. homework support, swimming lessons etc., and visiting the home regularly for ‘Creole Days’.

A massive thank you to everyone who has made a donation to PV, and to all our volunteers and staff for your hard work and unlimited enthusiasm and energy with the children.

We wish you all a happy and prosperous 2017!

With Gratitude, 
GVI Seychelles