President James Michel and Vice-President Danny Faure met with Ms. Marlene Thyroomooldy and Ms. Velda Volcère, both who worked as housekeepers in the Office of the President, on Friday, as they said farewell to the two retiring members of staff.

They were joined by the Secretary General of the Office of the President, Mrs. Lise Bastienne and other members of management and staff of State House.

The President thanked them for their dedication and hard work as well as their professional and loyal service over the many years that they worked for the Government, and in particular for the Office of the President.

Ms Thyroomooldy was the Head Housekeeper and had worked for the Office of the President for 38 years. Ms Volcère was a housekeeper, who had spent 24 years working in the public service.

Prior to the farewell gathering, they met with the Vice-President as part of his customary meetings with long serving public servants, where they were given tokens of appreciation.

Both ladies have expressed the wish to simply relax at home and enjoy their retirement.

“My time spent working at the ‘Grande Case” (the main building of the State House), has been generally easy. But like all jobs there are the good and bad sides,” said Ms Thyroomooldy.

She also recalled certain memories that have marked her years of work in the Grande Case of the Office of the President.

“I have seen and met such dignitaries who were on official visits to the office like Pope Jean Paul II, former Indian Prime Minister Indira Ghandi, ambassadors and other high foreign officials,” said Ms Thyroomooldy, who worked in hotels before joining the Office of the President as housekeeper.

As for Ms Volcère, she has been to quite a number of government departments before working at the Vice-President secretariat. She has worked in the offices of Tourism, Ministry of Land Use and Housing, Finance and worked in Mr. Faure’s office even before he became Vice-President.

“Work in the public sector is good but one needs to have patience. I have gained experience from all previous work places and not all workplaces are the same. For example you may learn things from work colleagues and also teach them what you know,” said Ms Volcère.

Ms Volcère added there are both good and difficult times in all work. One just needs to be calm, patient and just go on with one’s work.