The award ceremony was held on Wednesday evening at the Constance Ephelia Resort Seychelles at Port Launay where Mrs Elizabeth bagged R100,000 sponsored by Vijay Construction; a return ticket to any Air Seychelles/Etihad Airways destination sponsored by Air Seychelles and a trophy and certificate from Ceps itself.
As runner-up, Marie-Nella Azemia clinched R50,000 and other prizes like the first prize winner.
There were thirteen nominees altogether for the award. They were Francis Remie, Milcah Emilien, Rose-Mary Elizabeth, Germaine Valentin, Marie-Helene Adrienne, Patricia Ally, Marie-France Bristol, Lucianne Sophola, Justin Freminot, Hilda Chetty, Marie-Nella Azemia, Anael Bodwell and Anita Gardner. They all received certificates from Vice-President Vincent Meriton and the managing director of the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) Bernard Jackson.
The jury panel consisted of five members approved by Ceps’ steering committee but who are not members of Ceps.
Besides VP Meriton other guests at the ceremony included the Minister for Health and Social Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, members of the National Assembly, chairman of Ceps Jules Hoareau, French ambassador to Seychelles Lionel Majesté-Larrouy, the chief executive of Ceps Marcel Rosalie, sponsors, representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which fall under the Ceps umbrella, among other guests.
The main sponsors of this first Volunteers Award by Ceps were Vijay Construction which sponsored both the first and second cash prizes, Air Seychelles for the return tickets, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) for the video and sounds systems and Constance Ephelia Resort for the venue for the event and the MCB which also partnered with Ceps for the first ever Volunteer Festival at the Freedom Square in Victoria on December 5, International Volunteer Day.
The evening also saw the handing out of thank-you tokens from Ceps to prominent sponsors and tokens of appreciation from the French ambassador to the winners and Ceps chairman. Entertainment was provided by local artists David Andre, Jean-Marc Volcy and Raspyek with his much appreciated poem.
International Volunteer Day was celebrated on December 5 and here in Seychelles the day was marked by a volunteer fun day at Freedom Square. The Volunteers Award is a platform which recognises volunteers for their contributions in our communities. Citizens should embrace volunteerism as it has a positive impact on our society. As stated by Ceps’ CEO in his message on that day, through the award Ceps also wishes to rekindle the spirit of volunteerism, which was all along a natural response valued by our nation.
Thanking all the volunteers for their significant contributions which he said sometimes go unnoticed, Vice-President Meriton said it has always been said we need to garner the strength, determination of people in the community and add them to the services the government offers so as to address the challenges we face. And that we are celebrating compassion, love and determination on that day.
“This event in many ways is unique because ceremonies like this usually recognise the very best. But tonight it is not about competition and nor is it about winning. We are in the company of those who win, not for themselves, but for others. We are in the company of those who do not become first, but they come first to help others,” said Mr Meriton.
Mr Meriton urged all to ponder on whether volunteerism is for everyone; in that hectic world we live in are we all willing to give up our precious time to the service of others as we do not even have time for ourselves? While remarking volunteers are normal people who can make normal situations special, they make time for others, they give the best of themselves in their own small ways changing the world.
“We may never truly know or understand what makes a person care for another, but what we know is that such service, such dedication and such compassion is the reflection of the greatest attribute of human spirit. And tonight we thank all volunteers for that human spirit,” said the VP.
In their interventions, the sponsors acknowledged that being a volunteer and the satisfaction that comes out of it can only be experienced.
Ceps’ chairman Hoareau said there is one common factor that comes out of volunteerism – love. He said it is not important how much you do but the love you put in all you do.
Kai Hoffmeister, general manager of Constance Ephelia, said the evening is a time to award people who have volunteered their time to causes that are very worthy and sometimes go unnoticed.
As for Vijay Patel, he believes being a volunteer is a great thing in this world and it is an honour for his company to be part of this recognition procedure.
Source : Seychelles NATION