November 2016.
A day before their much-awaited beach wedding, Witek Suchy and Eirene Napuli spent some time giving-out pens, writing materials and treats to kids of Grand Anse Primary School, in Mahe, Seychelles along with fellow travelers Ping Pata and Lim Ah Soon. The Pens of Hope beneficiary school was identified with the assistance of Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa.
Sylvette Joubert, Head of Grand Anse Primary School, introduced the volunteers to around 63 Seychellois kids who eagerly welcomed the group and received the gifts with generous smiles. The pupils, some with the support of their teachers, showcased their skills in writing their names.
Grand Anse Primary School is one of the Eco-Schools, a program which promotes sustainability through environmental education in all government schools in Seychelles. Teachers and pupils become aware of sustainability issues and find ways to help the school to become more environmentally friendly, such as energy and water conservation and solid waste management. The school is close to the beach with a river channel that flows to the mangrove habitat.
Mersi to Virginie Barbie and Brigitte Rignace of Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort Spa and to Mhil Pamilacan for the generosity shared to our volunteers through resource contribution, assistance and time. (Mersi is thanks in “Kreol Seselwa", a French-based creole language spoken in Seychelles).
About Seychelles
An archipelago and country in the Indian Ocean blessed with a year-round warm, tropical climate, the islands of Seychelles boast paradise escape - long, idle days basking in the sun on endless white beach, floating lazily in cool waters of azure blue ocean. Apart from the purely blissful purpose of just getting away from it all, tourists also enjoy Seychelles’ opportunities for water sports, walks and trails through lush countryside and wildlife exploration.
Gift-Giving in Zanzibar: First International Event of POHD
“While traveling is admittedly a selfish endeavor, it doesn’t have to be only that. You can have plenty of adventure and at the same time leave a positive impact on the place you’re visiting. There are little ways to wander aimlessly and find a purpose while doing so. One thing I believe in is the power of pens in making dreams come true. By writing them down, we make dreams achievable. By sharing pens, we make things happen.” – Ping Pata
On 12 September 2016, our co-volunteer Ping Pata together with 8 travellers distributed pens and writing materials to around 40-50 Zanzibari kids from a small village in Pongwe, Zanzibar, East Africa.
While the initial plan was to distribute only to 15 kids, the turn-out of attendance was approximately tripled. Coincidentally the day marked the Eid ul Hajj (also known as Eid-al-Adha or Eid al-Kabir) when Zanzibaris observe the celebratory feast of sacrifice with fervor. Kids donned in their prized local dress were excited to receive their gifts and cheerfully entertained our volunteers with their singing.
The pens distribution when proposed by the guest volunteers to the Azao Resort and Spa management was enthusiastically supported that they invited the kids from the nearby village to come inside their resort, offered their play area facilities for the pens distribution and their pool area for snacks and recreation. Their staff also volunteered in sharing candies and pens and gave our volunteers generously discounted snacks rates to the great delight of the crowd.
Our special thanks to the following who have generously offered their time, efforts and resources to make what was planned to be a simple distribution become a successful Pens of Hope international event:
Where is Zanzibar?
The island of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous territory of Tanzania located just off the country’s coast, boasts an entirely unique heritage and cultural flavor. The island is paved with rich history seeped in Moorish, Indian, Middle Eastern and African tradition, with a touch of leftover European influence. It's alluring, exquisite beaches are among the finest in Africa.
More gift-giving photos on our Facebook page.
While the initial plan was to distribute only to 15 kids, the turn-out of attendance was approximately tripled. Coincidentally the day marked the Eid ul Hajj (also known as Eid-al-Adha or Eid al-Kabir) when Zanzibaris observe the celebratory feast of sacrifice with fervor. Kids donned in their prized local dress were excited to receive their gifts and cheerfully entertained our volunteers with their singing.
The pens distribution when proposed by the guest volunteers to the Azao Resort and Spa management was enthusiastically supported that they invited the kids from the nearby village to come inside their resort, offered their play area facilities for the pens distribution and their pool area for snacks and recreation. Their staff also volunteered in sharing candies and pens and gave our volunteers generously discounted snacks rates to the great delight of the crowd.
Our special thanks to the following who have generously offered their time, efforts and resources to make what was planned to be a simple distribution become a successful Pens of Hope international event:
- Chellie Gorospe
- Ian Tamayo
- Izhel Alaisa
- Mhil Pamilacan
- Rogj Gerodias
- Rommar Abordo
- Victor Lewis
- Ida Lewis
- Azao Resort and Spa
Where is Zanzibar?
The island of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous territory of Tanzania located just off the country’s coast, boasts an entirely unique heritage and cultural flavor. The island is paved with rich history seeped in Moorish, Indian, Middle Eastern and African tradition, with a touch of leftover European influence. It's alluring, exquisite beaches are among the finest in Africa.
More gift-giving photos on our Facebook page.
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