The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, this morning laid the foundation stone for a new home for the elderly at L'Union, La Digue, marking the start of construction of a ten-unit facility designed to provide elderly residents requiring residential care with a safer, healthier and fully accessible living environment.
The new home replaces the existing facility at L'Union Estate, opened on 26 June 1999. Its proximity to the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) plant exposes residents to smoke and noise, and the site is prone to flooding.
The project is the result of a partnership between the Government and PUC, which is contributing approximately SCR 10 million towards construction. The Government is financing the balance of around SCR 5 million through the budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Family and Equality. In exchange, PUC will take over the existing site to expand its installations and improve its service to La Digue.
A Memorandum of Understanding setting out the collaboration was signed during the ceremony by the Secretary of State for Lands, Housing and Infrastructure, Mr Joseph Francois, the Principal Secretary for Social Affairs, Mr Mike Morel, and the Chief Executive Officer of PUC, Mr Joel Valmont. The Seychelles Infrastructure Agency (SIA) will supervise the works, which are expected to be completed in December 2027.
President Herminie laid the first stone alongside the Minister for Social Affairs, Family and Equality, Mrs Pamela Charlette, the Member of the National Assembly for the Inner Islands, Hon. Rocky Uranie, the Director General for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Division, Ms Nelda Auguste, and Mr Noel Sophola, a resident of the current home. The President and Minister Charlette then unveiled a commemorative plaque.
In her address, Minister Charlette said the President's presence sent a clear message that the wellbeing of the elderly will always remain a priority for the Government.
"Our elderly are the guardians of our history, our traditions and our values. They deserve our love, our respect, the best possible care and a place they can call home," she said. "Today we are not just talking about this project. We are here to give it the go-ahead."
Each of the ten self-contained units will have its own bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and veranda, arranged around a central courtyard, with accessibility built in to international norms. The home will allow elderly residents who need residential care to receive it on their own island, close to family and community.
The ceremony opened with a reflection by the parish priest, Father Bruno, and featured songs by pupils of La Digue Primary School, a poem by La Digue secondary student Ethan Laurence, and a traditional romance performance by the 55 Plus group. Mrs Militna Jeanne delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the La Digue community.
The President is on a three-day working visit to the inner islands, where he is following up on several national projects. The visit continues tomorrow on Praslin.