Yesterday marked a truly meaningful moment for our Rotary family here in Seychelles. We had the great honor of meeting with President Dr. Patrick Herminie at State House for a conversation that went straight to the heart of what we care about most: the wellbeing and future of our community.
Coming Together for Our Community
Led by District Governor Mr. Bernard Leong Son from Mauritius, our delegation had the privilege of sharing our work, our dreams, and our ongoing projects with President Herminie. It was a conversation filled with genuine care for Seychelles and a shared understanding that the biggest challenges we face require all of us – government, civil society, volunteers, and citizens – working hand in hand.
As Mr. Leong Son so thoughtfully put it, the government cannot tackle every challenge alone. And that’s exactly why organizations like ours exist – not to replace what government does, but to walk alongside, to complement, to fill gaps, and to bring our community’s heart and hands to the work of building a better tomorrow.
The delegation included our own Ms. Foram Varsani, along with Mr. Ranjan Orphee, Mr. Georges Bibi, Mr. Carl Gendron, and Mrs. Cecile Leong Son – each bringing their own passion and perspective to this important dialogue.
Health That Matters: Our Cancer Awareness Initiative
One of the most significant topics we discussed was something very close to our hearts: raising awareness about cancer prevention and early detection. President Herminie shared a sobering reality – cancer is among the top three causes of death in Seychelles, with prostate cancer most prevalent among men and breast cancer among women.
As Mr. Leong Son pointed out, while much important work is already happening around cancer, many people in our community simply aren’t aware of these efforts or the resources available to them. That’s where we believe we can make a real difference – through awareness campaigns that reach people where they are, that speak their language, that break down barriers to understanding and action.
President Herminie’s response deeply encouraged us. He welcomed our initiative and emphasized something we wholeheartedly believe: prevention is paramount. “Great medicine is about caring for the community,” he said, reminding us that so many serious illnesses – cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and yes, cancer – are connected to lifestyle factors we can actually influence.
The President raised an important point about the patterns we’re seeing in cancer cases. There must be reasons behind them, and further study is needed. But awareness campaigns can play a crucial role right now, complementing what we already know and empowering people to take charge of their health.
We’re particularly excited about leveraging Rotary’s international network to bring qualified doctors from India to support our public health campaign. This is the beauty of being part of something bigger – we can reach beyond our shores to bring expertise and resources home to Seychelles.
Keeping Our Roads Safe, Keeping Our Young People Safe
Another urgent topic we discussed was road traffic safety and awareness – an issue that touches so many families across our islands. President Herminie didn’t mince words: road accidents remain a major concern in Seychelles, especially among our young people.
The recent fatal cases, most involving young lives cut tragically short, weigh heavily on all of us. The President spoke about the Arrive Alive Campaign and the need to continuously rethink our approach. We couldn’t agree more.
Our young people are our future. Losing them to preventable accidents is heartbreak we simply cannot accept as inevitable. We’re committed to working with government and community partners to find new ways to reach young drivers, to change mindsets, to create a culture where arriving alive isn’t just a slogan – it’s a shared commitment we all live by.
The Value of Partnership
What struck us most about this meeting was President Herminie’s genuine appreciation for volunteer-based organizations and their role in community development. He commended Rotary Club for our sustained contribution to national development and humanitarian action, and he emphasized the value of strong collaboration between government and civic organizations.
This recognition means the world to us, not because we’re seeking praise, but because it affirms what we’ve always believed: when we work together, when we combine the reach and resources of government with the grassroots connections and volunteer spirit of civil society, that’s when real, lasting change happens. That’s when we enhance social cohesion and truly address the social challenges facing our community.
Our Story, Our Commitment
Since our Rotary Club of Victoria was chartered on June 27, 1969, we’ve been blessed to serve this community we love so dearly. Founded by local visionaries with support from the Rotary Club of Mombasa, we’ve grown over the decades, but our core mission remains unchanged: Service Above Self.
We’re part of something beautifully interconnected – Rotary International District 9220, which links us with Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar, Mayotte, Djibouti, and Comoros. This network strengthens us, provides resources and expertise, and reminds us that while our challenges may be local, we’re never facing them alone.
Over the years, we’ve implemented so many initiatives – from palliative care training to educational resources, from environmental conservation to health programs. Each project, each volunteer hour, each moment of service has been our way of living out our commitment to this community.
Moving Forward Together
As we left State House yesterday, we carried with us a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. The courtesy call concluded with meaningful exchanges about potential avenues for continued cooperation and a firm commitment to follow up on the projects we discussed.
But more than any specific project or program, what we’re taking forward is this: a strengthened partnership, a shared vision, and the knowledge that our President and our government see us – and organizations like ours – as vital partners in building the Seychelles we all dream of.
Gratitude and Hope
We’re deeply grateful to President Herminie for his time, his insights, and his openness to collaboration. His background in public health and his genuine care for prevention and community wellbeing shine through, and it gives us great hope for what we can accomplish together.
We’re grateful to District Governor Bernard Leong Son for his leadership and for making this important dialogue possible. And we’re grateful to every member of our Rotary family – in Seychelles and across our district – whose dedication and service make all of this work possible.
The road ahead is full of challenges, yes. But it’s also full of opportunity. With partners like President Herminie and his government, with the dedication of our volunteers, and with the support of this incredible community, we believe deeply that the best is yet to come.
Together, with service above self, we’re building a healthier, safer, stronger Seychelles for all of us.
The Rotary Club of Victoria has been serving Seychelles since 1969, focusing on humanitarian service, community development, education, health, and environmental projects. Interested in joining our mission or learning more about how you can get involved? We’d love to welcome you into our Rotary family.
