Children admitted in the paediatric ward of the Seychelles Hospital also felt the joy of Children’s Day yesterday after receiving gifts from two local companies.
Telecom firm Airtel and Mr Money as well as Inter Island Boats (Cat Cocos) handed over their gifts to the children in two separate ceremonies this week.
Airtel made theirs on Tuesday while Cat Cocos handed over its gifts yesterday.
Among the gifts handed over by Airtel were educational and reading books to be used by the children while hospitalised and 25 personal gifts each child can go home with.
The personalised gifts were Airtel bags which contained a pencil case, stationery and a water bottle.
Airtel CSR coordinator Marie-Pierre Volcère said: “We brought these gifts for them to commemorate Children’s Day as we know that the kids will not be able to be among their friends at school for the day.”
Mother of eight-month-old Mikael, Valerie Hoareau, said: “I really appreciate that they (Airtel) at least thought of the sick children on Children’s Day and so I would like to thank them for that.”
Nurse in charge of the pediatric ward, Magdalana Victorin, said she hopes such gestures continue in the years to come.
“We are very grateful for their demonstration of goodwill as many children feel left out but now at least they get to rejoice and not feel rejected,” she said.
She also noted that on Monday La Rosière primary school also did a wonderful gesture by giving out a rose and a small packet of juice to each child in the ward to show them that they have not been forgotten on their special day.
Yesterday, a representative of Inter Island Boats (Cat Cocos), Captain Eddy Barratt, presented the gifts on behalf of the company to the children on the ward.
This was in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Health, parents, along with Inter Island Boats staff members.
Among the gifts were educational and reading books and toys for the little ones to play with.
Sales and ticketing manager of Inter Island Boats, Magdalena Cécil, pointed out that the gesture will bring a smile on the faces of the sick children on the ward.
“The management has found it necessary to organise on this special occasion for the children, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, a get together with the sick children who could not spend the day with their friends at school or at home due to ill-health. It forms part of our programme this year to organise different kinds of activities for the kids, elderly and NGOs,” she said.
She added that the next activity the company is planning is a trip to Praslin for the children living in orphanages, and a tour around the island. This activity is scheduled for Saturday June 4.
Elvin Sopha, a patient at the paediatric ward, thanked the Inter island Boats staff for their wonderful gesture.
Source : Seychelles NATION