Thirty members of the Young Citizens programme, along with their facilitators and other partners, were invited by President Danny Faure to celebrate the 15th  anniversary of the programme in the State House garden yesterday afternoon.

It was President Faure who as the then education minister in 2003, working along with former education special advisor Marie Therese Choppy, conceived the idea to have a young citizens’ movement aimed at teaching children discipline, togetherness, friendliness and good manners, among other things.

They also get to take part in a series of activities such as educational visits and cultural activities.

The Young Citizens Programme was formally launched on March 12, 2004.

The Young Citizens programme, present in all primary and secondary schools on Mahé and Praslin, is for young people aged six to 17 years. The motto of the Young Citizens is ‘Mon Pei, Mon Patri pour Touzour’.

Talking on the success and challenges of the movement managed by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), the director of the programme, Anne-Marie Adrienne, said the Young Citizens Programme has at the moment 48 school facilitators which are not enough as there are still some schools with no facilitators to work with the children.

She said that getting finance to run the programme and a proper place for the youth to camp are among the biggest challenges.

“Some people might be amazed to learn that some young people don’t even know how to sweep, arrange their clothes, make their beds, do some cooking, among other small daily household duties. These are the sort of things we teach them so that they can be of some help in the homes and that also prepare them to be responsible citizens,” Mrs Adrienne said.

She described the programme as “very successful”.

Welcoming the young citizens, the majority of whom were making their first visit to State House, President Faure said that to celebrate the success of the 15 years of the Young Citizens Programme we have to thank all those who have contributed and supported the programme.

He noted that if all stakeholders – parents, teachers and the society – give support and comfort to children, the country will see a bright future with young people of good moral and positive values.

President Faure made a personal engagement to continue supporting the programme.

He launched an appeal for more facilitators to join the programme in the schools and also appealed to the business community to help finance youth programmes at all levels as it will contribute to the development of the youth and the country.

“The problem in the society today differs from that of 2004. The problems are very complex with many difficulties. There are different actors in our country that are working together to do more for our children and we would like to thank them all,” President Faure said.

He also thanked the children for making it to State House in their same original black coloured skirts and trousers and yellow t-shirts bearing the hand logo for the past 15 years.

On behalf of his colleagues, 12-year-old Kein Bannane from Perseverance secondary school thanked President Faure for giving them the privilege to express their wishes and desires and vowed to continue to work hard to lift the country high.

Gracia Labiche, a facilitator of the programme for 15 years and teacher from La Rosière primary school, said she felt proud and honoured to see some of the children she had worked with occupying high positions in the country.

“I will be retiring soon and I hope the up and coming facilitators stay committed so that they can stay on for a further 15 years to helping our young people. I have enjoyed my 15 years with the programme,” she said, noting that the programme has brought her to discover places she would never have dreamt of visiting.

During the ceremony Noamie Barbe from Belonie secondary school read ‘Paviyon Mon Pei’, a poem written by Juliette Insenga.

Later President Faure invited Mrs Adrienne and Tracy Morel from Au Cap primary school, Delores Confiance from Baie Lazare primary school and Rimond Michel from Takama primary school for the anniversary cake cutting.

All Young Citizens talked too yesterday said they will stay on the programme to continue to learn new things from the many things being taught.

They also noted that they have made a lot of friends.

“Young Citizens helps us to learn many things that we can do to help at home and I will stay until I reach secondary school. It’s fun,” said Dolores Confiance.

The chief executive of SNYC, Penny Belmont, was also present at the gathering.