Elderly residents of Plaisance have received their Christmas presents early and this is after the British High Commissioner handed over a completed work project it had been undertaking at the Plaisance home for the elderly.

In a short ceremony on Friday morning at the home, HC Patrick Lynch handed over to the principal secretary for the family department, Clive Roucou, the project which comprises minor maintenances, landscaping, ramping and elderly friendly access pavements to the home for the elderly as well as an assortment of household items for the residents.

In the spirit of reaching out to the community, the renovation works by the British high commission’s (BHC) team led by Commissioner Lynch, started in September 2021 and ended this month. It entailed filling out spaces between the small concrete slabs to facilitate wheelchair access, putting ramps in front of all the housing units to allow for easy access by the residents, replacing faulty light bulbs, cleaning of water heaters and upgrading the garden by trimming existing plants, plant new trees and flowers.

The items donated for the home includes a new wheelchair, a new washing machine, a new 50 inch TV for the common area, a water dispenser for the staff, some garden tools as well as several wooden benches for the garden. Additionally, all housing units were gifted with a two-piece set of comfortable chairs and their tables.

Present to witness the handover was the MNA for Plaisance, Honourable Richard Labrosse; the district administrator Lilianne Biong; the director general for the Elderly and Disabled Division Rosa Morin; the director of the homes for the elderly Liza Cadeau and the Plaisance home’s administrator, Jelina Havelock.

Addressing everyone present Mr Lynch said the collaboration started when he first visited the home in March this year to commemorate the Commonwealth Day. He added that he and his team were struck by the dedication and care the staff provided and also of the independence and warmth of the residents.

“We are really impressed with the set up here and what we’ve tried to do is a number of things to further improve their environment,” said Mr Lynch, who noted that the place bears something special in terms of independent living for the residents, the constant support of caring staff and also the spacious social areas where they can interact to stimulate their mind and body, something that they coming from the United Kingdom could learn a lot from.

Mr Lynch said they had a good time with the residents and also learned from their experience while working at the home.

He further said that it was their duty, obligation and also a privilege to serve elderly people at the care home.

“It’s very important how we treat the elderly through elements of care but also respect,”, said HC Lynch who thanked everyone who made the project possible and he wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

On behalf of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family and the residents, Ms Morin thanked the BHC for the wonderful and most welcomed gesture.

“I believe it is safe to say that Christmas has surely come early for our residents,” she added.

She said the division looks forward to similar and new engagements in the future to improve the lives of both the elderly and the disabled.

Father Peter Raath from the Anglican Church blessed the residents and the new project while a resident, Anna Dupres, expressed words of gratitude on behalf of all the residents.

Father Raath also presented HC Lynch with a token of appreciation on behalf of the residents.

Currently the Plaisance home for the elderly hosts 16 residents – 9 women and 7 men.

Source: Seychelles Nation