Residents of the night shelter at North East Point were treated to a small gathering on Thursday night ‒ Christmas eve ‒ organised by the Kindness and Compassion Foundation.

This activity was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs, and the Seychelles National Youth Council.

The small event was also attended by the Minister for Employment and Social Affairs Patricia Francourt and the principal secretary for social affairs Linda William-Melanie. The aim of the activity was to spend some quality time ahead of Christmas with this particular vulnerable group.

Mechal Labour, assistant administration officer at the night shelter, shared with us that “since its creation, in 2014, the night shelter usually hosts 18 people. But with the increase in the number of social issues, we are welcoming 20 or 21 persons per night. The night shelter welcomes mainly people who are homeless and people who do not have relatives to accommodate them. For the festive season, we still have the same regular clients.”

Beryl Dodin from the Kindness and Compassion Foundation added that this year we thought of the people who do not have a family to be with during Christmas. “We look after their needs and provide them with bedsheets. Our presence also make them feel loved and appreciated,” said Ms Dodin.

The night shelter was created in 2014 in response to a sudden alarming situation where an increasing number of people were seen sleeping out in Victoria at night giving a false impression that they were homeless. On admission the residents are taken to the shelter for the first time and given general information on the operation and rules of the shelter, given a bath, hot meal and warm bed to sleep in. There are separate quarters for males and females. In the morning they are given breakfast and they go about their way. There are very strict rules to follow and for those who do get a place to sleep, a counselling exercise is initiated with their families for their future re-integration in their homes.

The activity ended with a presentation of donations and gifts to the residents from Minister Patricia Francourt, the Kindness and Compassion Foundation, and a couple Camila Pede and Pasquale D’Alterio.

Minister Francourt interacted with all the residents who were able to share their concerns with her.

The Kindness and Compassion Foundation and the Living Rock Fellowship Church also gave free meals and snacks to the vulnerable group in town area on Christmas day, December 25, at the car park opposite the Deenu's Supermarket.

 

Vidya Gappy 

Minister Francourt interacted with the night shelter residents (Photo: Joena Meme)