The winners of the third Seychelles Eco-Friendly and DIY Christmas tree competition organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment (MACCE), have received their prizes.

The competition aimed at encouraging the local population to create and make their own tree and décor as opposed to opting for imported Christmas decorations most of which are not necessarily environmentally friendly, was divided into four categories – schools, homes, districts and businesses/other organisations.

The winners received their prizes in the presence of the principal secretary for Climate Change, Tony Imaduwa, the principal secretary for Local Government in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Kevin Perin, the principal secretary for Education Services within the Ministry of Education, Merna Eulentin, staff from the MACCE, sponsors and invited guests.

It was the Port Glaud district that won the district category knocking last year’s winner, Anse Etoile into second position. The third position was won by Baie Ste Anne.

As prizes the district of Port Glaud won a coco de mer shield sponsored by the MACCE, a cash prize of R8000 sponsored by Cable and Wireless Seychelles (CWS) and a 4 in 1 brush cutter sponsored by Seychelles Breweries Ltd. The Christmas tree, under the theme ‘Fishermen’, is made up of fish traps fixed on a bamboo structure and decorated with buoys and other fishing gear, including Christmas lights. It is situated next to the district’s police station in honour of Port Glaud’s artisanal fishermen. It is the work of the Port Glaud community under the guidance of a group of devoted women.

Daniella Bibi, a member of the organising committee, said they were very happy to have won the first prize. She stated that they had difficulty in getting the fish traps which were not available as it seems this type of fishing is slowing disappearing in the country.

“We started our tree with some old fish traps we found in the first place and we were lucky enough to be assisted with some by a fisherman who found some for us to complete our tree,” said Ms Bibi, who noted that as the concept of the Christmas tree began to emerge, many people in the community came down to help to complete it.

Both Anse Etoile and Baie St Anne received a shield and R5000 and R3000 sponsored by CWS and a high water pressure cleaner and a hedge trimmer from Seychelles Breweries Ltd, respectively.

The Les Mamelles and Plaisance districts won the prize for best effort.

The winner of the school category went to Ile Perseverance secondary school and they won a shield sponsored by the MACCE and a cash prize of R3500 sponsored by the Development Bank of Seychelles (DBS). The second prize went to Anse Boileau secondary school and the third prize to Beau Vallon primary school. They also won a shield each and cash prizes. Beau Vallon won the prize for best effort.

Representing the Ile Perseverance secondary school, Carol Charles, the school’s head of ICT and Arts, said that they wanted to come out to regain the top position they won two years ago when the competition was launched.

She added that they were expecting to win first prize given the attention given to create their Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is made up of wooden pallets painted in green and decorated with Christmas lights, old shoes and kitchen utensils among other unused materials from the homes, with plants and live animals such as chickens underneath it.

“We came out third last year and this year we came out with a totally new idea, with more creativity. Along with the students, we have put a lot of effort compared to others; our tree looks more original and we deserve to win,” said Ms Charles.

In the home category, Natasha Joubert from Pointe Larue won the first prize for her Christmas tree, in her first participation in the competition. As prizes she won a shield sponsored by the MACCE, R3500 from Hunt Deltel and a voucher for two for two nights stay at Hilton Labriz Silhouette sponsored by the hotel. Her Christmas tree is made up of the ‘balye koko’ from the coconut tree, decorated with yogurt tins, ribbons and Christmas lights.

“It was not easy as I found myself having to spent three days to find the amount of ‘balye koko’ needed to construct the Christmas tree,” said Ms Joubert, who noted that she was not expecting to win as she only joined in because she loved the initiative.

The second prize in the category went to Paulette Madeleine from Grand Anse Mahé and the third prize to Micellette Cesar from Ile Perseverance. They both received a shield, cash prizes and dinner vouchers and other gifts from the sponsors. Regis Underwood won the prize for best effort.

For businesses and other organisations, the winner was St Mathew’s Anglican Church, Grand Anse Praslin. The church won a shield by the MACCE, R3500 cash prize from H. Savy Insurance and a cutter sponsored by Seychelles Breweries Ltd. The Church’s Christmas tree was in the form of a boat under the theme ‘Hope, Peace, Joy and Love for the Advent Season’. It was made up of iron and driftwood and decorated with recycling bottles and Christmas lights among other small accessories.

Taking the prize on behalf of the Church, Reverend Simon Fred said that making the Christmas tree was no easy job which took the team working on it three months (from October) to complete.

“I’ve been doing this kind of thing every year for nine years and my participation was not to win a prize as this has been part of our usual routine every year for the joy of Christmas. I have been doing it for nine years and only this time I was approached by a member of the organising committee of the competition who urged me to participate this year,” said Reverend Fred.

In the same category, the L’Union Estate, La Digue, won the second prize and the third prize was won by the Bio Diversity Centre at Barabarons. They also received a shield and cash prizes including other prizes from sponsors. The Botanical Garden at Mont Fleuri won the prize for best effort.

Congratulating the winners and delivering a few words of encouragement, PS Imaduwa called on everyone to practice sustainable living that will ease some economic pressure off the country and in our homes.

Jeanette Larue, a member of the organising committee, said they were very satisfied with the quality and the number of participants, especially in the home and business and other organisations’ category which has seen an increase.

She stated that the committee is looking to add Christmas decorations, made from environment friendly material, as part of the competition next year.

She said that the competition was open to everyone who wished to participate.

Source: Seychelles Nation