www.potpourrimagazine.com
Mother’s Day Special Unsung heroes Honouring Seychellois nurses
Raising a child with Autism
Family
Generations of Women
PLUS: Hair
Why natural is better
POTPOURRI
May
59
13 Coffee Culture The history of illy coffee Dining Discoveries An evening at Eden Bleu
49
Fashion Celeb mom style finds
47
9
Parenting What moms really want for Mother’s Day
Walking Tall Seychelles’ top models
The Team Chief Editor: (1) Marie-France Watson | M: + (248) 2512477 | E: marie-france@seychellespublications.com Marketing: (2) Ineke Camille | M: + (248) 2520937 | E: ineke@seychellespublications.com Editor: (3) Lynette Botha | E: lynette@seychellespublications.com Freelance Writing: (4) Mawess Wirtz, (5) Hanifa Francoise (6) Elaine Lafortune Photography: (7) Suzanne Verlaque | POTPOURRI Photography Studio Graphics & Layout: (8) Olivia Michaud | W: www.angelcreativedesign.com
1
3
2
5 Potpourri Magazine Seychelles
6
4
7
8
Potpourri Seychelles is published by Paradise Promotions Ltd Box 1539, Room 105, Aarti Chambers, Mont-Fleuri, Seychelles Tel: + (248) 4325215 | Fax: + (248) 4325216 | www.potpourrimagazine.com Printed by: ATLAS Printing Press LLC.
From the
EDITOR
Photo credit: Suzanne Verlaque
Dear Folks, When did joining the drug trade become the quick fix to wealth in Seychelles? This has been a question many of us have been asking over recent years in Seychelles. The ripple effect of the trade is so vast that I don’t think any one individual could wrap their head around it. Aside from the evident addiction effect, there are also many other underlying consequences which hardly get noticed. These days, as soon as someone acquires a new asset, speculation begins as to where they got the money for it. I am not saying the question is not fair or warranted but imagine what it feels like to have worked hard and made sacrifices to have fingers pointed at you. I have heard many people question what is the point of hard work when some make their wealth in the drug trade without sweating a fraction as much. This, I believe is a very dangerous thing. As a country, we have focused on one side of the coin – the side that comes to life with figures of needle exchanges at the hospital and grim faces of young women who seem to have given up on life on our streets. But, what about the figures on the other side? How much of the material wealth created in recent years has been due to drugs? How many houses built, cars bought, holidays enjoyed and private school fees are paid with drug money? With recent drug busts amounting to millions of foreign currency making headlines in our country, I think it is a fair question to ask.
One of the major problems with this is that it destroys the honest man’s spirit. That guy, the average one who works hard to get something. The one who lets his conscience dictate his decisions. The one who is raising his kids right, showing them that hard work is what pays off. What are we doing to him? We are crushing him. Once guys like him give up because they are always the ones left behind, I fear how grim things can potentially become. Why is it so hard for those exploiting our country with drugs to comprehend that a destroyed society will also affect their own children. Do we think that our wealth will protect them? Are we extremely misguided or are we overwhelmingly greedy? I do not have a clue as to how to even answer this. It is perhaps a bit of both. What I do know is that as a mother I am extremely concerned about the devastating effects this has on my children’s future. This brings me back to this May issue, our fourth annual edition dedicated to mothers. A mother’s role in this day and age is as crucial as ever. More and more, the list of things we can control is getting shorter. Our toddlers are exposed to things we thought we didn’t have to worry about until they were teenagers. Our five year olds are going on 16 and our 16 year olds know more than us. The only thing we can do is to equip them adequately to fight off all that is harmful in the world. How do we do that and maintain their individuality and happiness? That is a string of decisions we have to make each day. It will never stop and it will never get easier. The reward will be to one day look back and see that we have contributed a good and kind person to our community. As we honour our nurses and as we meet two individuals who managed to kick the smoking habit, I hope our May issue has a feature or another that inspires you in some way or another. For those of you visiting our beautiful islands this month, may you have a memorable holiday and be blown away by the Seychellois hospitality.
Chief Editor
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
1
Cover Models The Hermitte, Nanty and Barker family - read more about them on page 5.
1
2
3
4
1. Photographer: Marsha Dine 2. Stylist and concept: Joel Rose 3. Hair: Kellie’s Hair Salon (253811) 4. Make-up: Suzanne Verlaque All tunics and dresses: Rodyann’s Fashion Beige linen trousers: Momo’s Choice Red necklace: Trendy’s Boutique
2
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Fabulous February
Sale
up to
off 30% all styles! Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Mahe Island
Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, Silhouette Island
Double Tree by Hilton Allamanda Resort & Spa
COVER STORY
Mothers & Daughters Photos by Marsha Dine
One family, four generations of women and an unbreakable bond by Marie-France Watson Many of us would agree that there are inadequate words to express the unconditional love that occurs between a mother and a daughter. It is one of the strongest and most complex bonds that exist in the world. The ties that bind are strengthened by love and trust, sprinkled with doses of care and heaps of honesty. It has been, understandably, the subject of several studies, yet remains a connection that cannot effectively be summed up by scientific research. A mother is her child’s biggest fan and whatever the relationship between them, there will always be a special and strong connection; a lasting relationship, that sets the stage for all other partnerships and bonds in the future. In this issue we meet four generations of women who make up the Hermitte, Nanty and Barker family. The Great-Grandmother Myriam Hermitte known as ‘Manman’ Age: 77 Mother of: 4 daughters Became a mother at age: 20 Eldest daughter: Jacqueline
Tell us about life as mother in the 1960s
I was a stay-at-home mother while the kids grew up. A stay-at-home mother’s working hours never end. It never stops. With my husband’s job at the time in Tanzania, we would travel quite a bit so there was also often a new start somewhere. I kept myself distracted with my one passion, which was sewing and embroidery and I was the one who did all my baby’s layettes. I have slowed down now since my eyes are not what they used to be. I never worked until my youngest daughter went to school.
Jacqueline is your first daughter, what has that bond been like? What stands out for me about Jacqui is the respect that she has always shown me. I cannot recall a single instance when she got angry and answered back or showed me that she was not pleased. She was respectful as a child and even now as a grown woman with her own children and grandchildren she has not changed.
4
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Things changed as a grandmother?
At the time the first grandchild was born, I was living with Jacqui and so I was involved in raising her. I would do the normal grandmother routine such as help with babysitting when they attended functions. Even as all the grandchildren grew, we would have our little rituals like afternoon tea and chats after school. I must say that I enjoy my family very much and we are still to this day a very close family. Despite the fact that two of my daughters are overseas, the closeness remains. For the family in Seychelles we have our regular get-together, which we call our ‘happy hour’ where everyone comes over.
How have things changed over the years?
There are not too many differences. Children are children regardless of the decade they are born in. I have never regarded children as naughty even if people nowadays say that kids are ‘naughtier.’ Despite our differences, we all get on.
What was it like raising kids in the 1980s?
My mother was young and strong enough to help me out when I started my family. Her way of life had been instilled in me and I raised my kids in a somewhat similar way because it’s what I knew. Naturally, there was a more modern approach to it but the principles remained the same. I also had a wonderful nanny who also taught me a thing or two. I was overwhelmed when I had my first child but eventually, like with all new mothers, maternal instincts kick in. I remember preparing for the birth and my nanny told me not to mount the cot since it was a bad omen to have it all set up before the baby was born!
Unlike your mother, you had to balance a career with family life. What was that like? I have been with Air Seychelles (Inter Island Airways) for 38 years. Unlike my mother, yes, I had to juggle between my career and my family. I had the option of continuing my studies but I chose my family since my husband travelled and studying with a baby was not easy and I chose to be there for my family. I don’t remember it being particularly difficult but like with everything else it did have its challenges.
What is Vanessa like?
She has simply been a normal child. I cannot complain. We never had any issues with her growing up and until now, we remain really close. I had mixed feelings about her leaving Seychelles but I pushed her to go since I knew she had more opportunities overseas.
How do you find Vanessa as a mother?
Things are different now. The way children are raised now is different such as how kids are disciplined. I did not have a ‘naughty corner’ for my kids but she does. There’s also the diet aspect. We never found anything wrong
with giving kids sweets all the time but there are clear restrictions with my grandchildren. The thought process about all aspects of raising kids is different. I find also that couples nowadays discuss parenting together and are both on board on how to go about it as opposed to leaving it up to the mothers, like in my time.
Tell us about your grandchildren
You know, you love your children with all your heart but there’s something about the love you have for your grandchildren that you just cannot explain. I cannot put into words how I felt the first time I saw Zoe who was my first grandchild experience. I was completely overwhelmed going through the experience. The Mother Vanessa Barker known as ‘Mum and/or Mummy’ Age: 34 Mother of: A daughter and a son Became a mother at age: 28 Eldest daughter: Zoe
In what ways do you think you’re like your mother?
I have learned a lot from my mother and I would go as far as to say it was hard for me in the early years not to have had her around. When I started my family I was living away from Seychelles. Raising my kids aside, even when it comes to other things like a good curry recipe, I would find myself in a supermarket calling her asking her what I needed to buy and how to make it.
In what ways are you doing things differently?
In raising our kids, I guess if I had to point out one thing I try to do differently is to break gender limitations. While Zoe obviously loves her dolls and anything pink, we try not to exclude her in activities deemed for boys. So if her father is heading out fishing, I insist that she goes along with her brother.
Was it hard leaving Seychelles and her?
I left Seychelles at the time where structural changes were happening
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
5
COVER STORY
The Grandmother Jacqueline Nanty known as ‘Mamou’ Age: 57 Mother of: 2 daughters and 1 son Became a mother at age: 22 Eldest daughter: Vanessa
COVER STORY
within the STMA (Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority). One of my options was to be posted to the newly opened STB office in Dubai, which I chose over the UK office. There was also an option to work for a resort in Maldives, but coming from an island I wasn’t too keen. Dubai was the talk of the town with regards to job opportunities so I made the decision to explore possibilities there. My mother supported me 100% in my decision. I met my husband within a couple of months of moving there.
How did you balance work and family life?
When Zoe was born I chose not to work and I stuck with that decision when we moved to Canada and I had my second child, Harry. I was there for my kids when they were really small and that was nice. I was very lucky to have been able to do that. My husband’s work then brought us to Abu Dhabi and back to Dubai once again. Coming back to Seychelles has been on the cards for a while and when all the cards fell into place we went for it. We are still in the adjusting phase here in Seychelles but I would definitely say that living with my parents is a big help.
The day Zoe was born
I was filled with mixed emotions – happiness, exhaustion and relief, among other feelings. I had initial struggles as with any new mum, but within a very short time I had overcome most of it. It felt surreal to physically hold a small part of myself. She was from day one our little princess. We didn’t want to know the sex of the baby and so until her birth we had not prepared anything for a specific gender. We had, in fact, convinced ourselves that we would not go overboard with the whole pink or blue thing. Of course once the baby is born all of that goes out the window! It doesn’t help that Zoe now loves pink so much that it’s all she wants.
Why the name Zoe?
We had a list of names for a boy and just the one name for a girl. We both instantly loved the name and it was also important to have a name that could be pronounced in all three languages (English, French and Creole).
6
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
COVER STORY
The Daughter Zoe Age: 6
Do you like school? Yes
What’s your favourite part of school? Playtime
Do you like Frozen? Yes
Do you prefer Elsa or Anna? I like them both
What’s your favourite colour?
Pink and purple. I also like all the colours of the rainbow, except blue.
What’s your favourite thing to do with your mum? We make jelly and cakes.
And your Mamou?
I love her cooking, especially her semolina.
What about your Manman?
She’s teaching me to sew. I have had my first class already.
What else do you like doing?
I like art and I enjoy painting. I have a book of all my paintings.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I’d like to be a vet and take care of sick animals.
From the above not only can you tell the admiration and affection that these four generations of women have for one another, but you can feel the strength of the love they share, making me believe that this poem, penned by an unknown author, certainly sums up the universal truth about mothers and daughters: “It’s a special bond that spans the years. Through laughter, worry, smiles and tears. A sense of trust, that can’t be broken, a depth of love, sometimes unspoken. A lifelong friendship, built on sharing, hugs and kisses, warmth and caring. Mother and daughter, their hearts as one, a link that no matter what, can’t be undone”. Happy Mother’s Day to all our readers who are mothers.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
7
SPECIAL FEATURE
L-R: Trisha Dubignon, Anisa Rose and Shana Payet Photo taken at the Furniture Gallery. Photgrapher: Suzanne Verlaque
Model Citizens
Back from a successful modeling trip to Sri Lanka with Coral Models, Lynette Botha sits down with Seychelles’ very own glamour girls Shana, Tricia and Anisa to get the inside scoop
SHANA PAYET, 22
How long have you been modeling and how did it start? I’ve been modeling for three years now. I’ve always been really tall and people would continuously ask me “why don’t you try modeling?” After hearing this over and over for many years, I thought: why not give it a try? I started with Silhouette Models, which was not very well known, and later moved to work with Joelle Fabre at Coral Models. Joelle worked on my skills – taught me how to walk, pose, stand and groomed me in all aspects to be a great model. She believed in me and turned a hobby into a professional career.
What is it like being a model in Seychelles?
I love it – it’s so much fun. To me, it doesn’t feel like a job – it’s always new and exciting, so I have fun while I’m working. When we’re not in front of the camera we also hostess for private parties and functions and get to hang out with VIPs – it’s really great.
What qualities do you need to be a good model? You need to be humble and loyal. Once you sign a contract you need to be dedicated and committed to your agency; they provide you
8
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
with your jobs and you need to respect that.
What is the most interesting shoot you’ve done?
It would be between two – one was with an Italian photographer for Bambi magazine in Italy; it was a semi–nude shoot and I just loved the pictures. It was tasteful – and the images were sensual, not sexual. It was also my first real international shoot. The other really interesting shoot I did was my last one in Sri Lanka; I got to work with an elephant – I was so close to its face; I got to touch it and look deep into its eyes – an amazing experience.
How do you stay in shape?
At the moment I’m doing boot camp with Hassan Al-Ameri, mainly to tone up rather than lose weight. I don’t really have to watch what I eat, but I try to avoid too much sugar and fatty food.
Who is your style icon?
Taylor Swift! I love the way she dresses – she has a great style for people my age to look up to.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Stay humble and always do your best; this advice was given to me by Joelle, who really believes in me and has helped me so much.
How do you feel when you’re on the runway?
So amazing! The nerves are there – big time, but once you’re over that, the excitement takes over.
How are you different in real life to the model in front of the camera?
Most people think models are snobbish, but it’s not true – of course, there are girls like that, but not in Seychelles – we don’t let the “being a model” stuff get to our heads.
ANISA ROSE, 27 How long have you been modeling and how did it start?
I’ve been modeling since I was in the UK (where I moved to attend school), for about 13 years. I started when I was 15, while still in school, but I stopped when I started at university, studying Business Economics / Management, and I also had my son at 20. But people continued to stop me in the street and ask me if I was a model or if I’d like to model, so at 25 I thought “what the hell” and decided to start doing it again.
Is it different being a model in Seychelles?
Yes, it’s very different; there’s not as much
What qualities make a good model?
Humility and humbleness are very important traits; there’s no room for ego. You also need to respect and take care of yourself.
artist – so I’m not always in front of the camera, sometimes I’m behind the scenes too. I love make-up and I have learnt a lot about it from watching other make-up artists transform me for shoots. I want to pursue this passion and I also want to share my beauty skills in the future.
Most interesting shoot you’ve done?
I do a lot of beauty shoots – which I love! One of the most interesting ones was a shoot I did where I was made to look like a Barbie – complete with pink hair and everything. I felt like Nicki Minaj!
How do you stay in shape?
Well, I’m really petite – so I am very lucky. I can eat what I want and in fact I struggle to put on weight. I go to Extreme Gym to keep toned though.
Who do you look up to?
Tyra Banks – she has this amazing motherly quality; she nurtures and encourages models on America’s Next Top Model; she encourages them and builds their confidence, as she wants them to succeed.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? To always be yourself – you can’t be anybody but yourself.
How do you feel when on the runway?
I absolutely love it – it makes me feel so confident. It’s nerve-wracking, but the nervousness turns into confidence and you just strut your stuff, with your head held high. How are you different in real life from the model in front of the camera? I’m an extremely good listener – people come to me to share their secrets and open up. I’m also a make-up
You need to be humble and loyal. Once you sign a contract you need to be dedicated and committed to your agency; they provide you with your jobs and you need to respect that. Shana Payet
TRICIA DUBIGNON, 24 How long have you been modeling and how did it start?
I’ve been modeling professionally for about four years now, but when I was a child I modeled too – in adverts and campaigns.
What is it like being a model in Seychelles?
Nobody here really knows much about modeling – they don’t consider it a “real” job, so it’s difficult to get some people to take it seriously. Other than that, I love it. It’s a great way to earn a living!
What qualities make a good model?
SPECIAL FEATURE
exposure and as much work, but it’s picking up – and what an amazing landscape to model in.
You need to have dedication and be ready to work really hard – on yourself and on the job.
What is the most interesting shoot you’ve done?
Definitely the one we did now in Sri Lanka – it’s so different from Seychelles. It was great to see interesting and different locations, working with new crews, and just experiencing a more professional side to the modeling industry.
How do you stay in shape?
I train and workout, and am also working on a healthy eating plan to make staying in shape easier. I love food, so I have to watch what I eat; it’s not easy for me. I have to avoid fried foods and sugar, but I do allow myself cheat days so that I’m not completely deprived.
Do you have a role model or someone you look up to?
Yes, I love Naomi Campbell! She’s so bossy, and she knows what she wants. I love how she tries to empower and inspire young models.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Just go for it – follow your dreams and don’t give up. And I am doing that now.
How do you feel on the runway?
I feel proud of myself. It’s an amazing experience having all of the focus and attention on you! I’m always so nervous – and worried I’ll trip and fall. But it’s great; everyone claps and takes pictures – such an amazing experience.
How are you different in real life to the model in front of the camera? I’m a funny person – I have a great sense of humour and I love to make people laugh.
Exclusive Distributor:
Mamma Mia (Pty) Ltd t: 4 374 545 | e: mammamia@seychelles.net
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
9
SPECIAL FEATURE
Photos by Paolo Bordoni
Mommy’s boys All three models are also moms to sons; we asked them what motherhood means to them and what they love about being a mom Anisa and Dewayne Lyons (7) “Motherhood is loving your child unconditionally, taking care and protecting your child against all horrible things; teaching your child to love others, share, have manners. Being a young mom at first I thought I wouldn’t cope, but seeing my son for the first time the love, the protectiveness – everything came pouring out of me. Thinking that a little person is dependent on you is the best feeling in the world. My favourite thing is when they ask questions, because they are so young they don’t know the world and everything to them is fascinating and I have to answer and think, sometimes I don’t even know the answer! I just love that.”
Anisa and son
Trisha and Hayden Fred (5) “‘When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child’ – so the quote goes. I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me mommy. I still remember his first smile, first step, his first word, five years now and he still brings joy to my life every single minute. The greatest thing I’ve learned over the years is that there’s no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one.”
Tricia and son
Shana and Shawn (5) I love this quote on motherhood by Elizabeth Stone; sums it up for me: “Making the decision to have a child — it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Shana and son
From Joelle Fabre, CEO Coral Models Coral Models a été invité au Sri Lanka par Brian Van Kerkoven , et sponsorisé par Pure Fm , à l occasion de la 8 ème édition du plus grand Fashion week à Colombo. Des dizaines de designers présentaient leur nouvelle collection été 2015, une expérience unique pour 4 Seychelloises d une même agence. Mon objectif était que les Seychelles soit enfin reconnue dans l’industrie de la mode à sa juste valeur. Suite à leur professionnalisme ces 4 mannequins seychelloises ont pu se mouvoir dans la sphère des grands du monde de la mode Indienne à Colombo , et de la jet set. Les Mannequins ont également fait des shooting photos avec des photographes renommés du Sri Lanka .. Sandun De Silva , Prishan Pandithage , Niluksha Nawaratne.
10
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Joelle Fabre and the girls
SPECIAL FEATURE
Nurses the unsung heroes of our community Behind every good doctor is their nurse, Marie-France Watson chats to a few of them
Most little girls, at some point in their childhood, want to be a nurse when they grow up. While the gender segregation regarding this noble profession is continuously being broken down with men also following suit, it does remain largely a profession dominated by the female population of most communities. We have all at some point met a nurse. Our mothers talk about them whenever family conversations about the day a member was born comes up and along our life’s journey we, time and time again, cross paths with them. With the exception of the times they had to hold that needle which most of us dread, nurses form part of fond and warm memories in our minds. They were there when we did not feel well or when a member of our family was not. Their presence brought comfort and reassurance in our moments of worry and unrest. And they continue to do so. In this issue we want to salute the Seychellois men and women who are brave enough to hold and carry the torch of this prestigious profession. Here is what they have to say.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
11
SPECIAL FEATURE Trevor Poupouneau 21
A nurse for: 2 years Unit: Male Surgical When did you know you wanted to be a nurse? When I joined NIHSS I was still in the ‘considering my options’ process. The interest was definitely there but I guess I had to be sure. The love for the job just grew and I knew it was what I was meant to do. What appealed to you the most? Nursing is a noble profession. I grew up being taught to respect nurses and always viewed them as pillars of our society. How do you feel each day when you put the uniform on? It makes me happy and proud. It makes my family happy and proud. What’s the biggest misconception about nurses in your view? People assume a nurse only administers medicine and follow doctors’ orders. There is a technical and legal side to it as well. To be a nurse, you need to get your license to practice and to get that there are legal topics we need to know and learn in our modules at school. There is more to it than what meets the eye. What is the hardest part of the job? Dealing with patients’ frustrations can be challenging. Understandably when someone is sick they are often unable to understand a particular situation such as the fact they need to wait for a doctor. It’s our job to explain and ensure them but some cases are often very difficult to deal with. What is the greatest satisfaction you get from the job? A thank you is a big thing. To also be recognised by a former patient outside the hospital is pretty special; it shows that you’ve done something meaningful in their lives. It’s a good feeling. What’s next for you in this field? I definitely want to pursue the academics side of it. A degree in the field or to specialise in anesthesiology or orthopedics are all on the cards for me.
A thank you is a big thing. To also be recognised by a former patient outside the hospital is pretty special; it shows that you’ve done something meaningful in their lives.
12
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
I offcially represent my patients, especially the ones who do not have the strength or ability to speak for themselves. They do not call it noble for nothing!
Deborah Quatre 37
A nurse for: 16 years Unit: Maternity When did you know you wanted to be a nurse? I was in secondary school. I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my late aunt. Additionally, I am a caring person, which is an important requirement for the job. What appealed to you the most? It is a unique body of knowledge. It boosts characteristics within yourself – in a great way! But, it must be something that is within you to begin with. You ultimately become an advocate for others. There’s also the fact that medicine is constantly in a state of evolution. You never reach a point of know-it-all. Each patient is unique and each case is unique. How do you feel each day when you put the uniform on? I officially represent my patients, especially the ones who do not have the strength or ability to speak for themselves. They do not call it noble for nothing! What is the greatest satisfaction you get from the job? On average I deliver a baby a day. I don’t think I need to explain the satisfaction in that! That aside, it’s a great feeling to see a patient get better and go home and continue with their lives. What’s next for you in this field? I am doing my BSC in Nursing and Advanced Practices from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. For the future I one day hope to hold a managerial position.
SPECIAL FEATURE
Alice Mancienne 25
A nurse for: 3 years When did you know you wanted to be a nurse? It runs in the family actually and my aunt is a nurse. On top of that I had an ‘Endo-disectomy’ when I was five and came face to face with nurses. I knew then that that was what I wanted. What appealed to you the most? Being a nurse is, like they say, a vocation. You really have to want to do the job. There is excitement about it with new cases everyday. How do you feel each day when you put the uniform on? Each day is a different feeling. Irrespective of how the last shift goes, you feel positive that it will be a good one. I will add though that I like working the morning shifts so I can spend afternoons with my daughter. What’s the biggest misconception about nurses in your view? It has to be that we do not work hard or enough. But we go through so much. We work past our shifts when you include paperwork. Sometimes we do not get breaks – even toilet breaks. Night duties are also especially tough. What role does emotional care play in your daily duties? Emotional care plays a big role because you care for the relatives as well, especially when there’s bad news or death. You have to provide reassurances and be sensitive to the situation. What is the hardest part of the job? It’s hard to say – nothing about nursing is easy. It’s not meant to be. You are responsible for someone’s health and life. What is the greatest satisfaction you get from the job? It has to be that smile and compliment from a patient. What’s next for you in this field? I am doing an advanced diploma in midwifery. I want to explore every aspect of nursing. Ultimately I’d like to go into emergency care. I love the excitement!
Emotional care plays a big role because you care for the relatives as well, especially when there’s bad news or death. You have to provide reassurances and be sensitive to the situation.
Anita Henriette 36
Nurse for: 15yrs Unit: Orchard Care, UK, as a lead nurse in palliative care. Growing up, when did you know you wanted to be a nurse? As a child I had asthma and hospital was like my second home. I used to sit and watch the nurses get on with their daily job and I think that’s what inspired me. I also remember playing nurses with my little brother Patrick when I was around 7 years old and I was always the nurse and Patrick was the patient! I used to dress up in my great grandma’s white dress and paper hat. By the time I was 16 I wanted to be a teacher. It was my mother who really convinced me that being a nurse was the best career choice. What appealed to you most about the job? Nursing is more of a vocation rather than a job. I get my job satisfaction by helping others and showing love and compassion. Nursing is very rewarding in this sense. What’s the biggest misconception about nurses in your view? It has to be that we only do what the doctors tell us to without asking any questions. As a nurse, you are your patient’s advocate and you have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients and that includes taking our own decisions and actions and advising doctors and others on the appropriate care for the patients we are responsible for. We also evaluate and assess the effectiveness of any care we provide. We are the ones who alert the doctors when a patient’s condition changes. We are accountable for our action we perform as nurses. What role does emotional care play in your daily duties? Since I deal largely with older adults many of whom are approaching the end of their lives, there are many complex emotional issues, which arise. Not only for the patients themselves but also for their families and loved ones. It is also my responsibility to reassure families that their older relatives have the best possible care. What is the hardest part of the Job? The hardest part is dealing with the fact that many of my patients who I have grown to love and respect will die while under my care. I recognised that I have a duty of care to make sure that they have a really good quality of life in the time that they have left. What is the greatest job satisfaction? I could write all day and still have more reasons about why I love my job. Recently, I was performing chest compression on a patient in a cardiac arrest, we paused to check the rhythm of the heart and it was not good. With the defibrillator charged we delivered the shock and with my hands placed, once again on the patient’s chest, I felt the heart start to beat. Yes, the hours can be tough, we see awful things sometimes, I have been punched and even kicked. But these moments, these precious moments of success and sometimes hope, they are what make me love my job. What’s next for you in this field? My little girl is young at the moment and needs a lot of my time but as she gets older I intend to take more responsibilities in my job and take up a management role in palliative care.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
13
SPECIAL FEATURE Helene Nicette 60
A nurse for: 37 years Retired for: 5 years (Last job: Director of Nursing) When did you know you wanted to be a nurse? It was always my dream. As a child I spent hours playing doctors and nurses daydreaming that I would do it for real when I grew up. When I was in post-secondary I decided to join the nursing course and I went to visit patients in the hospital. I remember seeing nurses in their caps and apron and being overwhelmed at the sight. I knew there and then that the childhood fantasies were more than that. What appealed to you the most? I personally have a caring and compassionate attitude. It’s always been who I am. I always look for ways to help people and being a nurse was the perfect way to nurture this personal trait. What’s the biggest misconception about nurses in your view? Personally I view nursing as an art, aside from being a noble profession. I thoroughly enjoyed questioning my patients to try and decipher what was wrong so I could advise the doctor accordingly. Nurses do make diagnosis though of course doctors have the final say. We’re smarter than people think! What is the hardest part of the job? The studies for nursing were hard. Learning the anatomy of the body is no small task. On the job I would say that shift duties were particularly hard. There are periods I would work 14 nights in a row. I would have to say after that I was no longer human! It was very exhausting. What prompted your retirement? I was 55 and my son had just finished school. I remember thinking that I did not want to be one of those people who worked until they had nothing else to give and then retire unable to do anything else and then just pass away. I wanted to enjoy another side of life. I still miss nursing terribly and I have discovered that once you are a nurse, you are always a nurse. I am always advising friends or acquaintances who don’t feel well and send them to the doctors myself!
I personally have a caring and compassionate attitude. It’s always been who I am. I always look for ways to help people and being a nurse was the perfect way to nurture this personal trait.
14
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
To return to Seychelles and go back to work and share the knowledge and skills I have acquired. I hope I am able to hopefully implement small changes that will make significant changes in patient care in Seychelles.
Rosamonde William 35
A nurse for: 15 years Unit: Thornbury Nursing Agency, South West of England and South Wales. Also in private and National Health Services (NHS) Hospitals. When did you know you wanted to be a nurse? I would say it was around the age of 12. My mother, who was a nurse, suggested the idea to my sister and me. It just happened to grow on me as I got older. What appealed to you the most? The idea of being able to alleviate the pain and suffering of other human beings. What’s the biggest misconception about nurses in your view? In my opinion when a patient expects or believes that nurses can or are able to resolve long standing medical or social issues after a few hospital stays only. Healthcare is a process and not something that is achieved by the wave of a magic wand. What role does emotional care play in your daily duties? It plays a huge role in my opinion. We have to be able to give emotional care to both patient and their family and friends. It could be as simple as just listening to their concerns or the other extreme, which would be being with them at the end of their life. We need to bear in mind our patients’ dignity and care for them while at the same time strike a balance – not get too involved and carry on caring for all of our other patients on the ward. What is the hardest part of the job? For me it’s walking into the ward as ‘the nurse’ and leaving my personal life at the door. I have to do this regardless of what is going on and how I may be feeling. It’s a never ending balance to achieve; walk in head held high with enthusiasm, friendly but maintaining professionalism and putting my colleagues and patients at ease. What is the greatest satisfaction you get from the job? Being part of my patients recovery and being there every step of the way throughout their illness, recovery and discharge. What’s next for you in this field? To return to Seychelles and go back to work and share the knowledge and skills I have acquired. I hope I am able to hopefully implement small changes that will make significant changes in patient care in Seychelles.
SPECIAL FEATURE Sharon Biong 36
A nurse for: 14 years When did you leave Seychelles: In 2002 Unit: World Renowned American Hospital based In Saudi Arabia. Growing up, when did you know you wanted to be a nurse? I wanted to be an artist in my younger days but that changed after my father told me I would have many opportunities to travel and have a choice to work in any country in the world if was a nurse. What appealed to you most about the job? Being part of a team, working with people, many opportunities to study and to travel, a generous Retirement Plan, free time and in my line of work no shifts! What’s the biggest misconception about nurses in your view? The biggest misconception I hear about nurses is that becoming a Registered Nurse is the only option to advance in the field. This is so wrong. The field is vast. After a nurse earns her Diploma or Degree she has the option to advance into research, become a practitioner, further her field into Education, Nursing Informatics, Health Law or Human resources or she can advance her career by taking an advanced degree into Hospital Management, Hospital Administration or an MBA in Healthcare. What role does emotional care play in your daily duties? Nursing draws on the skills of emotional intelligence to meet the needs of direct patient care and co-operative negotiations with the multidisciplinary team. As a nurse I have to empathise with the patients I work with. They are coming in for a procedure. It is unknown territory. They are scared and nervous. My role is to alleviate their worries by listening to them, answering their questions and reassuring them. What is the hardest part of the Job? The hardest part of the job is knowing by memory the etiology, classification, dosage, contraindications and compatibility for 20,000 medications and of course forever checking my on-call pager in case it went off. What is the greatest job satisfaction? The greatest Job satisfaction is making a difference in someone’s life either by easing their pain or easing their minds. I am constantly learning new things, new technology, new drugs and new practice techniques. I love the job security and being part of a large organization. I am also humbled by the respect I get from patients who admire and appreciate all the health professionals working with them. What’s next for you in this field? I have many plans at the moment. I have already advanced quite extensively in my field, which is gastroenterology. There are only four of us specialist nurses in this specialty and we were all hired from the United Kingdom. I am enjoying training other health professionals who want to gain more knowledge in this field. This is my business goal for the year. I am also studying which will be a step up into consultancy. Nurses are a unique breed; they run hospitals, advocate, evaluate, provide invaluable emotional support and make huge differences in peoples’ lives. Without them, I don’t know where this world would be.
16
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Pamela Dubignon 47
A nurse for: 26 years Unit: Baie St-Anne Praslin When did you know you wanted to be a nurse? I always had a feel for nursing but it was not a decision I wanted to make lightly. I had an older sister who was in dental nursing and she helped in directing my sails in that direction. What appealed to you the most? For me, it was knowing that I was needed. As a nurse you care, love and provide attention for your patients. This is something that comes easily for me and makes me feel whole. What’s the biggest misconception about nurses in your view? People know you as that person in the uniform. I sometimes get the impression that to the outside world, my whole existence is Miss Pamela. But, I am also a wife, a sister, a mother and a friend – amongst many other roles. I do have a life outside the hospital! What role does emotional care play in your daily duties? It is very important. Patients are more than symptoms that need to be treated. They are humans with feelings and insecurities. A person who is sick is at his/her most vulnerable state and you have to care for them bearing this in mind. You have to have a holistic approach to it as well. What is the hardest part of the job? By far, it’s losing a patient. It’s the worst feeling. You care for someone with the intent of making them better so they can get off that bed and go home. When that doesn’t happen you need to recover from it. It is one of the reasons why I could not work with on the children’s ward. Losing a child patient is just simply too much to bear. What is the greatest satisfaction you get from the job? My pool of patients is my greatest joy. I have been here for 23 years. I know them well and I know they appreciate what I do. What’s next for you in this field? I want to continue being a nurse. Granted, my energy level is not what it was 26 years ago when I started but as long as I have enough to go on I will. One striking common ground all of these nurses share is their love for what they do and the people they work for and with. We need to remember that they do not always work in the easiest of circumstances and just like their patients, they are also human beings with families, dreams and feelings. While for most of them, their biggest satisfaction is seeing the improvement in health of their patients, they have all admitted that the smiles and notes of thanks go a long way in making them feel that what they do is important and meaningful. Let us all never forget.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
17
Real
uitters Real Success Stories
Smoking is a really bad addiction; quick to pick up, hard to banish. Elaine Lafortune chats to two Seychellois who have managed to kick the habit in the butt The health effects of smoking cigarettes are horribly destructive and in many cases, deadly. When you first quit smoking, it may feel like your day is one long, continual urge for a cigarette. If you pay close attention though, you’ll notice that most cravings to smoke last only three to five minutes. They tend to come off the blocks strong, and decrease gradually until they’re gone. “The ingredients and additives in cigarettes affect everything from the internal functioning of organs to the efficiency of the body’s immune system. Smoking is by far one of the worst health habits that you can develop. It offers no benefits, and it greatly increases your risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease.” Dr. Murthy’s Clinic Everyone’s quit smoking journey is different. Here are the stories of former smokers who have proven through their own lives that while quitting isn’t easy, it can be done -- and it’s definitely worth it. Here, they tell of their journeys, including the ups and downs and how they successfully quit smoking. We hope their experiences will help you on your quit journey. Take a moment from your daily routine to read. These stories can save your life.
NICOLETTA MARZOCCHI (AGE?) “You can do everything you set your mind to”
I stopped smoking more than a year ago. I started when I was 15 years old, but at that moment I would only smoke for the excitement. At 16, I moved overseas and by then smoking had already turned into a bad habit. I tried to stop a few times; sometimes for a few months but then got back to it again. It took years of mental training to prepare myself to stop completely. I remember stopping exactly on the 18th December in 2013 (odd date I know), right before the most tempting period of the year. I told myself that if I could get through this period without cheating, then I was sure to stub it forever. It was hard, especially with people puffing away in my face whenever I socialized. To try and keep my mind off it, I started jogging, more often than I used to. I also did aerobics at home. I thought that to give up a habit, I needed to indulge myself in a new one, a healthy one... and it worked. I detoxed as well during the process, to get rid of the nicotine in my system, faster. Sipping on green tea replaced the cigarettes and cutting back on alcohol definitely made it easier. I always think that had I waited until the New Year to make my resolution, like all the previous years, I would have never pulled through. Excuses after excuses would have been made.
18
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
The process made me realise how powerful our mind is, and how our body reacts when we ‘set up’ our minds to achieve something. I had set my mind to quitting that the next day, even holding a cigarette did not feel right and taking a puff just felt gross. I never thought I would ever be able to quit as it was something I did for pleasure, to cool off when I was stressed, nervous, or when I socialized or when I could not sleep. For so long, having to find a smoking area when travelling, or having to excuse myself politely at a dinner table or at a children’s birthday party had become frustrating. Every puff I had was not that pleasant anymore; it felt like a mental battle...until I took control of myself. I’m proud to say that I won the battle! I can at last savour a meal and taste the flavours 50 times more. I can breathe better in the fresh air and my skin feels much better. If you put your mind to it, everything is possible!
My advice: “For you who have been trying to quit, there is hope. While the process requires a clear mind set and self-discipline, there are ways to get through to the addiction.”
HILARY ESPARON, 31 “Freedom is mine”
I was introduced to smoking when I was still in primary school, but then I would only do it once or twice infrequently. Contrary to most young smokers who start out with a proper cigarette, I smoked whatever I could get my hands on. I would tear papers from my school books and fill it with tea inside and smoke that. At that juncture, I had not yet been introduced to tobacco, so I would use anything just to satisfy the urges. I was still in primary five then. By the time I reached primary 6, I was given my first cigarette by a class mate. At first, I convinced myself that it was merely for fun and excitement. I wanted the experience; to see what it was like. Then when I moved to secondary school, I started smoking regularly until I reached secondary five. I was a tad rebellious during my teenage years and smoking caused me to always be penniless. I remember stealing money from my parents just so I could purchase a packet or two. At this point in time, I had already turned into a chain smoker. For the duration of my time at the Polytechnic, I was smoking as much as five cigarettes a day and then eventually to a pack of ten daily. I knew by then that I was already hooked. Smoking was a part of my life for so long, even when my parents and everyone else around me were in disapproval with the vice. Consequently I tried to keep my addiction outside of home.
It was when I moved in with my wife, who was still my girlfriend then, that we started to have heated arguments vis-à-vis my addiction. She would often complain that I smelled horrible and snored a lot at night, but despite the objections, I didn’t quit just yet. I would only smoke less, and would keep it solely at work. But the issue would worsen whenever I would pair it with alcohol; I would smoke twice as much when I was under the influence. Smoking had become more than just a habit for me; it had become the lifestyle that I had chosen. This made trying to quit, twice as hard. I knew it was going to be hard and I also knew that I wouldn’t be able to quit without first changing my lifestyle. It wasn’t easy, and I tried and failed many times. But it was when I decided that enough was enough, and that I needed to make a change that I actually took everything seriously. What started out as a spiritual change eventually helped me to choose breathing over smoking. After that, I decided that I was done. No more cigarettes, ever.
My advice: “Don’t let the fear of life without cigarettes
deter you from getting started with smoking cessation. A whole new life awaits you!” “Years of smoking ingrain behaviours and thought patterns that are more about addiction than they are about our true feelings and preferences. Once we quit, we’re often surprised at the changes in attitude we experience regarding smoking and life, in general.” Dr. Murthy’s Clinic
Here are a few tips from our real life quitters about how to successfully quit smoking. We hope their experiences will help you on your journey to quit. •
When the urge to smoke comes, (remember, it only lasts 5 minutes, whether you smoke or not) DON’T!
•
Keep active! You can hit the gym or simply go for walks to keep your mind busy.
•
Chewing on gums (sugar free preferably) is also helpful.
•
Avoiding certain places during the first few weeks is helpful…just until you have more self-control. Places like bars, nightclubs and even people who smoke. Unless it’s an important event, just cut back on alcohol (as this can trigger the urge), hang out with a non-smoking group and try to leave a bit earlier.
•
Learn to keep things simple! Curb the cravings as they come, one by one.
•
One thing smokers should always remember is that cravings to smoke are not commands. Once you stub out that last cigarette, your body will immediately start healing. Shift gears and do something different for a few minutes. Change your activity, either mentally or physically, and the craving will lose its power and be gone before you know it.
•
How you choose to react to a craving can either increase or decrease its power over you. Let the craving wash over you, and accept it as a sign of healing, which is just what our former smokers did. The urge will run its course and pass. Practice makes perfect with this technique. You’ll get the hang of it and will find it empowering. The choice is yours!
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
19
SPECIAL FEATURE
Let’s talk about Autism
Learning your child has autism is not an easy pill to swallow. One woman opens up about raising her son with the condition… By Lynette Botha Marie-Annette Ernesta is an amazing woman. When I meet her she is warm, friendly and engaging. The conversation flows easily and she opens up earnestly from the beginning to tell me what it’s been like raising a son with autism. Her firstborn, Jean-Michel, is now 21 and fairly well-adapted in society, and able to communicate in his own special way with his family, despite his severe autism. It wasn’t always like this though. It was only around the age of five that Marie-Annette really became concerned that something was wrong with her son, “from four years old we were already anxious; he didn’t speak or say any words, he just made noises and grunts, which was a form of communication, but far from where he should have been at that age. My husband and I were worried and as professional medical services were far from advanced at that stage in the Seychelles, we had to seek advice overseas.” Jean-Michel had a brain scan, as well as a sophisticated ear test in Reunion, as they had thought perhaps he was deaf or hard of hearing, which would explain the lack of speech. But the ear test showed that his hearing was fine and the brain scan did not produce any results worth probing. At that stage, Marie-Annette had never heard of autism. This all changed one day when she was watching a programme on CNN about the condition and an insert about a child with autism, when she realised “hey, that boy is just like Jean-Michel”. There was no Internet around in those days, so she contacted her sister-in-law, a nurse in the UK, and asked her to find out as much information as she could. Her sister-in-law sent her pamphlets and papers to read via mail to learn more about the disorder. Although a doctor had never diagnosed Jean-Michel with autism, from what Marie-Annette read about the condition, she recognised many of the telltale signs in her son. “He would sit for hours quietly and tie pieces of string to everything. Very focused on the task at hand. He also liked things that had a swinging motion – that moved back and forth like a pendulum, and always wanted things to be in a neat line, whether it be a row of shoes or toy blocks. He
20
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
loved anything on wheels that could move or roll. He would also get very angry and frustrated at times and couldn’t communicate effectively, so he would lose it.” Not being able to communicate successfully with her son and not having any solution to “cure” the situation, Marie-Annette often experienced feelings of helplessness and exhaustion. “At times it would traumatise me, but I learnt to just get through the day. I knew I needed to stay positive, take it one day at a time and keep strong for my family.” Learning that your firstborn has a condition like autism would be enough to make most families wary of more children, but not so for MarieAnnette. She went on to have four more children, all girls and none of them with any sign of autistic behaviour. Her daughters are now aged 20, 14, 12 and 10, and while they’re able to assist and help out with things nowadays, there was a point in Marie-Annette’s life where every single day was absolute chaos with so many young children in the house and a son with autism. I ask her how her daughters interact with their brother; her reply: “All my daughters are good with him. Having a sibling who needs to be treated with patience and understanding has made all of them very loving and caring, and that is definitely a great thing.” When I ask her if it put a strain on her relationship with her husband, she smiles. “You know men, they see things differently. They don’t always understand what it’s like being the mother. There was definitely pressure on our relationship and my husband would tell me I spoiled Jean-Michel too much. But, we are still together; we are in this together, and we make it work, day in and day out, despite our challenges.” Lastly, I ask her about Jean-Michel now – and what his future holds. “He is much better to communicate with now; we understand each other better but he still has outbursts and it’s still difficult. Just the other day I spent hours cleaning his whole room, rearranging it, making it look good. He got home and freaked out and put everything back the exact same way
SPECIAL FEATURE “For me autism is about accepting my son the way he is,” she says, “I celebrate his differences and uniqueness. I am proud of his successes, albeit small, like learning to tie his shoes laces at 16. I am proud that he is my son, and because of him I remain grounded and humble. I’ve made so many friends because of him and his condition and because of my experience with Jean-Michel I feel compelled to support and encourage other parents. Our home is special, there’s never a dull moment.” Marie-Annette Ernesta juggles motherhood and a demanding career at the US Embassy based in Seychelles as it was. There is only one sheet he likes on his bed, for example. If that sheet is in the wash, he will wait until it has dried.” He likes to watch football on TV, he loves to listen to music all day long in his room, he paints and he often pages through magazines and newspapers – able to understand features by the way they are illustrated. He spends his days at the Vocational Training Centre, along with other kids with various disabilities – there are about 20 young adults there on a dayto-day basis, and they interact and socialise with eachother. “As long as he has his routine and nothing breaks it, everything is fine.” She smiles.
As Marie-Annette leaves, I look at her in awe – she has laughed and smiled throughout the interview, telling of her life so colourfully – and never complaining. A woman we could all learn a lot from. This poem sums her up beautifully:
A Strong Woman A strong woman Is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow as abundantly as her laughter. She is both soft and powerful, Is both practical and spiritual. In her essence, a strong woman is a gift to the world
Family outings are few and far between; here Jean-Michel is pictured with three of his sisters - Eloise (14), Aurellie (12) and Laeticia (10) and his mother, Marie-Annette.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
21
SPECIAL FEATURE
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Information on autism, as provided by Autism Speaks, a US organisation that aims to increase the awareness and early detection of autism globally.
What Is Autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterised, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. With the May 2013 publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, all autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art. Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age. Early intervention with proven behavioral therapies can improve outcomes.
What Causes Autism
Not long ago, the answer to this question would have been “we have no idea.” Research is now delivering the answers. First and foremost, we now know that there is no one cause of autism just as there is no one type of autism. Over the last five years, scientists have identified a number of rare gene changes, or mutations, associated with autism. A small number of these are sufficient to cause autism by themselves. Most cases of autism, however, appear to be caused by a combination of autism risk genes and environmental factors influencing early brain development. In the presence of a genetic predisposition to autism, a number of nongenetic, or “environmental,” stresses appear to further increase a child’s risk. The clearest evidence of these autism risk factors involves events before and during birth. They include advanced parental age at time of conception (both mom and dad), maternal illness during pregnancy
22
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
and certain difficulties during birth, particularly those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain. It is important to keep in mind that these factors, by themselves, do not cause autism. Rather, in combination with genetic risk factors, they appear to modestly increase risk. A growing body of research suggests that a woman can reduce her risk of having a child with autism by taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid and/or eating a diet rich in folic acid (at least 600 mcg a day) during the months before and after conception. Increasingly, researchers are looking at the role of the immune system in autism. www.autismspeaks.org Join the Pearl Seychelles Autism Association Facebook page for more information and support locally; Marie-Annette is part of this parent’s organization that aims to assist and educate people on autism and offer support.
Further reading Five books worth sourcing to educate, enlighten and provide some comfort Bright not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids On the Spectrum The Spark: A mother’s story of nurturing genius Daniel Isn’t Talking The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism
SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS
That island feeling!
Talented: never has a word been more aptly used than when it is applied to one spectacular lady named Rita Richez. Under her stage name of Rita Romain, she has amassed quite a slew of music achievements. Currently living in Paris, Rita has demonstrated that one can take the girl away from the island, but one cannot take the island away from the girl by Mawess Wirtz HELLO RITA!
Rita has come a long way from the little Rita who lived in Victoria, Hangard Street. Now, she is a mother to two beautiful daughters, a wife to a wonderful husband, a manager at Charles Taylor Consulting and also the Seychelles ambassador to France but it is her love of music that has always set her apart. Back then when she was growing up in Seychelles, she had her father and 3 brothers who went into the music scene and they support her music up until today. Anyone remembers Maxime Morel of the Principle band? That would be Rita’s father.
THE TEMPO OF HER BEATING HEART….
Apparently, if you are born into a musical family, the love story with music starts early. Rita was only seven when her aunt took her to join the St Fidele church choir. It was during those years that she learnt to play several instruments for mass. As someone who has struggled to learn to play my mother’s flute, my jaw nearly hit the floor when I realised that by 11 years of age, Rita could play the flute, the piano, the guitar, and the accordion. And then she sang and everyone realised that her gifts were not limited to only man-made instruments, she manipulated her vocal chords just as well. All through her school years, Rita would be the bass and a friend of hers the alto at their church.
NIGHTSHADES….
At 17 Rita finished her school years and announced that she was joining a band. She was allowed to do so only because she had completed her education and the hope was that she got it out of her system and took on a “proper job”. To coin another cliché, “the rest was history”, Rita’s band, the Nightshades, was a success and she became a local star. Rita gained a lot of experience as she played her instruments and sang all across Mahe, in all the hotels from Reef to Beau Vallon Bay.
Mike Mc Pics
And they lived happily forever after… Then at 18, the star found her prince charming, a photographer named Marc Richez, and got married. The marriage came with an opportunity to come work on one of the most exclusive islands of the Seychelles archipelago, Denis island. She worked as the assistant manager but she was also a member of the band and she would perform every night for the clients. Rita remembers how different it was from her experience in the limelight on Mahe. Continued on page 26
24
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS
Continued from page 24
J’AIME PARIS…..
At 24, the Richezs moved to France. Initially Rita couldn’t find any opportunities to perform in Paris so she used to sing for free, but she was so good that the clients of the places where she performed would leave her money. It was striking to Rita that there were no Seychellois performers there so she couldn’t form a band. She loved the country and even though it was tough to acclimatise to it she now realises that she is s true Parisienne and as much as she loves coming back home, she loves there too.
PERFORMANCE ON PAUSE…
Being a good mother was much more important to Rita so she stopped with the music completely and devoted herself to her family. A few years down the line and time saw Rita at a point in her life when her daughters had left home and it was just her and her husband. Rita was proud of them but she now had a lot of time on her hands. It was thus that Rita now made the decision to finally pursue her passion.
ENCORE!!!ENCORE!!!
Rita’s reintroduction to music started with an innocent request, she told the musicians that she used to meet at events that she used to sing and asked if she could join them sometime. The musicians who turned out to be Mauritians agreed and she performed with them since then. Now Rita has become synonymous with representing the Seychelles at music festivals. Previously, she had been singing the songs of other well-known Seychellois artists( with their permission of course) but now she has worked on her own single “Mon Antann ou Leker Pe Kase”, which we can find for sale in the Seychelles. An album is currently in the works.
Photo: Marc Richez
Photo: Marc Richez
Rita and her daughters
AU NOM DES SEYCHELLES
The lady also has the enviable position to be the Seychelles’Tourism Ambassador for France. She tries her level best to promote the Seychelles in Paris and I think that to hear her sing the sega, reggae etc..from her younger days is promotion enough. She embodies the flare of the Kreol girl and her very presence is a portrayal of what the Seychelles is like. In 2014, she was invited to the annual Carnaval de Victoria by the STB and performed at the Opening Ceremony and on the Consulates’ float.
RADIO WAVES
I do not know where she finds the time, and when I asked, she only laughed and said she found ways. On top of everything previously stated, Rita also hosts her own segment at a radio station. The first of its kind in France, the station promotes the Indian Ocean countries and their artists.
LA DIVA
Recently, along with Sandra Esparon , Rita represented the Seychelles at the prestigious event, “Les Divas de L’Ocean Indien”, and she was awarded for her participation. It was the first time that she sang her own songs and got such recognition for it. I am sure that her brother, who helped her record them must have been proud of what she made of them. The event was unlike anything she has ever achieved and she is privileged to have had the chance to do it. Never had she thought when she gave up music that this would be where she would end up.
COMING SOON….
Rita now has various projects on the horizon, she has been invited to participate in various music festivals and she looks forward to them all. She now has her own music, her own sound! Just check out her videos online and see for yourself. By Mawess Wirtz
26
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Photo: Marc Richez
Photo: Joey Niclès
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
27
Irish pursuits
Living on the Wedge
This month, Brigitte Monchouguy enjoys a bit of Irish revelry and some Australian countryside
Baby Guinness A Baby Guinness is a shooter that looks like a mini version of Guinness Beer - with a rich dark brown liquid base and a creamy white layer at the top, but, rest assured, it contains no actual Guinness Beer. The name was derived from the fact that the shooter was created to look like a tiny glass of stout. In some places a Baby Guinness has the coffee liqueur replaced with Black Sambuca! Pick your preference.
“A HOMEMADE BABY GUINNESS, IS A SWEET, BUT RATHER MOREISH CONCOCTION ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A FAN OF BAILEYS!” 50ml Kahlúa or other coffee liqueur, chilled 25ml Bailey’s Irish Cream, chilled Fill a shot glass 2/3 full with Kahlúa. Pour the Irish Cream over the back of a spoon, down the inside of the glass. It should layer on top of the Kahlúa and form the “head” that makes it look like Guinness. Toast St Paddy and throw it down the hatch!
A
nother year, another St Patrick’s Day! J and I spent our Saturday at Cottesloe Beach swimming, eating salted pineapple and soaking up the last of the sun before Perth succumbs to the gentle chill of Autumn. That evening we dressed up in our finest green apparel – he in a fetching Kermit the Frog coloured jumper, and me in an emerald silk dress and jade earrings. Then we headed over to our Irish friend Kimmy’s house for a good old-fashioned Irish knees-up! Upon arrival we noticed that there were more Irish people inside than you could poke a stick at! It seemed like the entire population of County Cork was in Kimmy’s lounge. So much so that, packed in like sardines, we decided to make our way outside to the garden to properly enjoy our refreshments. Imagine my delight to discover an Olympic-sized trampoline in the back yard! Ruing my choice of impractical outfit I hopped on anyway and, having fortuitously not consumed any alcohol yet, I had a good turn on the trampoline involving some star jumps, back flips and a couple of near-misses! Back on solid ground, I was rewarded by J with a homemade Baby Guinness, a sweet, but rather moreish concoction (especially if you’re a fan of Baileys). We spent the rest of the night chatting to various Irishmen, attempting to lip read their conversations, which were spoken in very thick accents over the booming Celtic music! There were some stellar outfits on display, including a giant leprechaun and many an Irish jig was showcased, as well as a few heartfelt renditions of “Danny Boy”. The next day, craving some fresh air and exercise, J and I drove to the Perth Hills and hiked across Mundaring Weir, taking in the picturesque vista of clear blue water and surrounding native Australian flora. Designed by CY O’Connor, the Weir is a feat of human engineering. Conceived in 1896, during the gold fever that gripped the nation, this majestic dam was created to feed a pipeline pumping 5 million imperial gallons of water per day along 330 miles of pipe to the arid Kalgoorlie Goldfields. After learning about this historical landmark, we carried on to Pickering Brook to partake in a leisurely lunch of grilled prawns, slow-cooked pork and sparkling lemonade at Core Cidery, surrounded by fragrant apple and lemon orchards. It was a perfect way to end the weekend. Until next time, if you can’t be good, be good at it.
28
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Brigitte Monchouguy is a Seychelloise legal practitioner with a passion for social journalism. She is happiest when travelling, with interests in music, art, theatre and architecture. She also dabbles in mixology and will be sharing cocktail recipes along with her monthly escapades.
| From London to Mahé |
THIS ONE’S FOR THE MOMS A mother’s love is infinite – so too is her daily list of responsibilities; it’s time to give thanks, says Daniel Balkwill
I
’m sure we’ve all witnessed a scene in a typical movie where a young mother-to-be is in a maternity ward in hospital. She has entered the early stages of labour. Various doctors, nurses and orderlies are all rushing around in her attendance. Her concerned partner sits attentively by her bedside, steadily having his hand crushed by hers as she whispers through gritted teeth that she’s never going to let him touch her again if this is the end result. Invariably, in Hollywood’s archetypal way of sanitising life’s less savoury episodes, the next scene depicts the new mum, with only a few beads of sweat on her brow betraying the events of the preceding few hours, cradling a suspiciously clean baby in her arms. No other reference is made to the pain and torment endured by the mother during the trauma of childbirth. There is no sign of the husband/ boyfriend. He is probably in an adjoining room being treated with gas and air. This is only the start of it. It’s so easy to forget all of the other subsequent sacrifices made by mothers all over the world on a daily basis as their offspring are fed, watered, clothed and sheltered both from the elements and potential harm until they are mature enough to fend for themselves in the big, wide world.
This unswerving dedication to the wellbeing of their child continues throughout their development, from their initial tentative steps, their first day at junior school and during what are often described as their growing pains.
complaining that my dinner was always late on a Friday night when I wanted to go to the pub with my friends or grumbling that I couldn’t find my lucky t-shirt in my laundry pile I ought to have just simply said ‘thanks’.
Mums don’t always receive a great deal of gratitude for what they do. When a pile of freshly laundered clothing regularly appears in their child’s room or a tasty, nutritious plate of food is placed in front of them each mealtime with metronomic precision, it’s perhaps easy to become rather blasé.
Of course, dads deserve equal credit for everything that they do but its Mother’s Day this month so mums should enjoy their welldeserved moment in the spotlight.
Now I’m a bit older and wiser, I can see things a lot clearer now than when I was a kid. Instead of
The financial hardship and emotional investment in bringing up a child are considerable, often to the detriment of the social lives of the parents. Regular evenings at a restaurant or with friends are supplanted by nights in, dealing with soiled nappies and a dizzying array of regular childhood ailments.
A special message to my mum: thanks for everything you’ve done for me and apologies for occasionally being a bit of a brat. On a more general note, well done to all mums out there and keep up the good work.
Dan works for Kreol Wines - a wine shop located at Eden Plaza on Eden Island, specialising in Argentinian, Australian, French and South African products. Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 6.30pm; Saturday, 10am - 6pm; Sunday, 10am - 4pm
H
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
29
Indémodables Années folles Cette période marque l’influence grandissante du mode de vie à l’américaine au sein de la bourgeoisie française, à travers l’adoption des sports en plein air comme le tennis, la natation, et les balades en bicyclette Ces dernières années, l’esthétique « années 20 » a été remise au goût du jour. La mode féminine est au vintage : robes fluides à franges, à paillettes, ornées de dentelles, ou de perles de verre, bandeaux à plumes pour les cheveux, sautoirs, fume-cigarette et escarpins de style rétro. L’électroswing, mélange du swing, du jazz manouche -en vogue dans les années 20 et 30-, et de sonorités modernes comme le hip-hop et la house, est à la mode, avec le succès du groupe français Caravan Palace. Hollywood s’est également emparé du sujet, avec le bel hommage aux années folles qu’est Minuit à Paris de Woody Allen ou encore les films biographiques français réalisés sur Coco Chanel. On appelle « Années folles », la décennie qui a suivi la première guerre mondiale, de 1919 à 1929 et qui a été une véritable période d’effervescence intellectuelle et artistique, d’expérimentations en tout genre, et de festivités sans fin. Traumatisés par le conflit meurtrier, les hommes et les femmes d’alors n’avaient eu qu’une seule idée en tête : oublier les horreurs de la guerre, faire la fête et tenter de nouvelles expériences. Pour la première fois, la société se féminise et les femmes s’émancipent : beaucoup d’entre elles sont des veuves de guerre contraintes de travailler. Elles portent désormais des tenues plus pratiques pour se mouvoir, elles dévoilent leurs jambes et ont les cheveux courts, libèrent leur taille et leur poitrines des corsets oppressants hérités de la Belle
Epoque pour privilégier les robes fluides et parfois les pantalons. Un nouveau type de femme apparaît : la garçonne, qui mène une vie indépendante, affranchie de toute morale, aime danser sur les rythmes endiablés du charleston et qu’on appelle « flappers » aux Etat-Unis, dont l’archétype est l’actrice Louise Brooks. C’est à cette époque que Coco Chanel triomphe, en créant en 1926 sa première petite robe noire, privilégiant les lignes simples et épurées et reléguant au placard les robes surchargées de la Belle Epoque. «Il n’y a pas d’autre beauté que la liberté du corps » affirmait alors Chanel. La femme des années 20 a une nouvelle silhouette : la minceur devient une référence, elle est plus sportive, et pour la première fois, le bronzage devient le signe d’appartenance à la classe aisée, car associé au luxe des vacances. Cette période marque l’influence grandissante du mode de vie à l’américaine au sein de la bourgeoisie française, à travers l’adoption des sports en plein air comme le tennis, la natation, et les balades en bicyclette. Ce passage de la femme de la Belle Epoque à la garçonne se note d’ailleurs à travers le personnage d’Albertine dans La Recherche du temps perdu de Proust, petite bourgeoise bisexuelle qui se déleste des convenances de son éducation. Pendant cette décennie, véritable parenthèse dorée de l’entre-deux guerres, Paris est devenue une terre d’accueil pour les exilés fuyant les dictatures, les homosexuels, les artistes américains voulant échapper à la Prohibition et les GI noirs qui y trouvaient une société plus tolérante et plus permissive. Ces exilés ont apporté avec eux le jazz, le swing et le charleston, magnifié sur scène par Joséphine Baker. Ils ont fait de Montmartre et de Montparnasse les noyaux d’un renouveau culturel majeur : la rive gauche de la Seine concentre ainsi les écrivains américains de la « Génération perdue » Hemingway, F.Scott Fitzgerald, et Henry Miller, les peintres de l’Ecole de Paris (Modigliani, Chagall), le cubiste Picasso, le surréaliste Dali, le peintre fauviste Matisse, les écrivains surréalistes Breton, Aragon, et Eluard, les cinéastes Bunuel et Cocteau. C’est cette image de Paris, le Paris des années folles qui perdure encore aujourd’hui dans l’esprit de nombreux étrangers. Les années folles sont une décennie importante car elles ont marqué une entrée dans la modernité, avant que le krach boursier de 1929 et la montée des conflits politiques en Europe n’impose un esprit conservateur, annonçant la fin de la fête et le retour de la garçonne au foyer, avant que les années 60 annoncent une nouvelle révolution.
A still from the movie minuit de Paris / Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen
Evènements culturels culturels
Passionnée de littérature et de cinéma, Marie Welsch est responsable culturelle à l’Alliance française des Seychelles depuis maintenant un an. Originaire de la Réunion et ayant mené des études de lettres modernes et de sciences politiques à Aix-en Provence, elle s’intéresse à l’indianité et à l’identité créole des îles de l’Océan Indien et espère plus tard en faire l’objet d’une thèse.
Cours de français
Ateliers créatifs
AllianceFrançaise de Victoria Toutes les informations sur les évènements culturels à l’Alliance sur notre site internet www.allianceseychelles.org
30
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Je vous parle d’un temps que les moins de vingt ans ne peuvent pas connaitre…… (par Georges Gravé)
La semaine dernière j’animais une discussion dans une école devant de jeunes enfants de 15 à 20 ans pour leur présenter les métiers de l’hôtellerie et de la restauration. A la fin de la causerie, questions/ réponses…. Moment sympathique ou j’adore partager la passion de mon métier. Un jeune garçon s’approche alors et me demande avec un air candide : Monsieur Georges, comment vous faisiez quand vous étiez jeune pour travailler sans internet et sans les réseaux sociaux ? Quel âge as-tu et comment t’appelle tu ? J’ai 15 ans Monsieur et mon nom est Richard. Et bien Richard tu as raison de te poser ce genre de questions, car pour bien comprendre son présent il faut savoir d’où l’on vient. Et l’on vient de loin !! Viens avec moi, nous allons faire un petit voyage dans le temps. Je vais te présenter deux femmes extraordinaires qui ont les réponses à tes questions. L’une s’appelle Marie-Louise et la seconde Odette. La première est ma grand-mère et la seconde ma maman. Les deux vivent maintenant dans mes souvenirs, mais quand j’avais ton âge c’est à elles que je posais ce genre de questions et grâce à leurs récits j’ai appris et compris l’histoire de mon pays, mon histoire. Il faut dire qu’en ce temps-là, nous passions beaucoup de temps à discuter car tu ne peux l’imaginer, mais il n’y avait ni télévision, ni tablettes en tout genre… et les anciens était un peu notre interne vivant. Tu vois, moi j’ai eu la télévision à l’âge de 13/14 ans seulement. Nous habitions une petite résidence en banlieue parisienne et seulement un seul foyer avait cette nouvelle machine : la télévision et en noir et blanc seulement. Et je me souviens très bien que tous les enfants se réunissaient chez cette famille tous les jeudi après-midi pour regarder Zorro. Il en a fallu du temps pour
que la télévision rentre pas à pas dans chaque foyer. Et ton téléphone portable cher Richard, c’est assez récent. C’est le 3 avril 1973 que l’ingénieur Martin Cooper de chez Motorola passa son premier coup de fil depuis la 56ème rue de New York avec le premier téléphone portable. L’appareil, surnommé «la botte» à cause de sa forme, ou «la brique», à cause de son poids, pesait plus d’un kilo, faisait 22 centimètres de long et sa batterie mettait 10 heures à charger pour 35 minutes de conversation. Le premier téléphone mobile ne sera commercialisé qu’en 1983. Aujourd’hui plus de 900 millions de smartphones ont été vendus dans le monde. Et bien avant cela le téléphone était un gros appareil noir dont la sonnerie faisait un bruit assourdissant. Ma marraine en avait un chez elle, mais c’était rare à l’époque car cela coutait très cher et pour avoir sa communication, il fallait passer par le standard de la poste et attendre de longs moments. Bien plus tard, quand nous avons eu le téléphone a la maison, seulement papa avait le droit de décrocher. Dis-moi Richard, je suppose que tes parents ont une voiture et bien sûr tu trouves cela normal…Je ne vais pas te faire ici l’histoire de l’automobile tu as internet pour cela qui le fera mieux que moi mais saches quand même que c’est le 29 janvier 1886, il y a presque 130 ans que sortait du garage de l’allemand Karl Benz le premier véhicule motorisé a trois roues. Construite à trois exemplaires, elle avait déjà tout d’une voiture telle qu’on la connait aujourd’hui : un moteur à essence, un allumage électrique, un carburateur, un radiateur a eau et un châssis. A cette époque, l’essence était délivrée en pharmacie comme
produit détachant. Ma grand-mère qui habitait dans le Loiret au cœur de la campagne française me racontait que ces voitures qui arrivaient à toute vitesse (15 km/heure) faisaient peur aux vaches et aux poules. (Les automobilistes seront surnommés les « tueurs de poules »), elles étaient très bruyantes et dégageaient une odeur nauséabonde. Lorsqu’elles entendaient le bruit au loin, ma grand-mère et ses copines se mettaient au bord de la route pour lancer des cailloux et du fumier sur la voiture pour qu’elle passe plus vite. Des années plus tard, je me souviendrais toujours le soir ou mon père est rentré a la maison et nous a dit à ma mère et à moi – préparez-vous, je vous emmène dans notre nouvelle voiture, elle est en bas – Une superbe 4L rouge !!! - Maman est montée devant, moi derrière et papa comme un magicien a fait vrombir le moteur et nous avons fait un tour pendant 45 minutes. Nous étions tous tellement fier dans cette voiture que personne ne pouvait dire un mot. Quand le dimanche suivant nous sommes allés chercher la Grand-mère ce fut un grand moment pour moi, car les femmes étaient derrière et j’étais devant à côté de mon papa. Honneur suprême ! Tu te rends compte tous les bouleversements qu’elle aura vécue dans sa vie cette merveilleuse grand-mère ! J’étais à ces côtés quand elle a vu la mer pour la première fois. J’avais 9 ans, elle en avait 63. J’étais aussi avec elle quand nous avons pris tous les deux l’avion également pour la première fois. Quelle grande émotion. C’était un Paris-Nice dans une caravelle. Elle m’avait fait la surprise et au lieu de se retrouver à la gare, nous étions à l’aéroport. Aujourd’hui encore à chaque fois que je prends l’avion je pense à elle avec tendresse et je nous revoie encore tous les deux, intimidés, fiers et apeurés à la fois. Mais l’hôtesse qui avait de suite deviné que c’était notre baptême de l’air nous avait chouchoutés pendant tout le vol et nous étions les plus heureux du monde ! Tiens dis-moi Richard, si je te demande pour toi quelle est l’invention qui a marqué le plus ta jeune vie ? Il y a plus de 50ans, j’avais demandé cette même question à ma grand-mère et à ma mère. Toutes les deux, sans réfléchir une seule seconde avaient répondu : la machine à laver. Je suis sûr que tu n’y aurais pas pensé. Et oui, le lave-linge nous paraît aujourd’hui être un outil ménager bien ordinaire. Il révèle pourtant une démocratisation de l’accès à l’hygiène et a contribué à émanciper les femmes. En 1951 (un an avant ma naissance), seuls 18% des foyers français ont une salle de bain et 8 % une machine à laver. Aujourd’hui 97% des foyers possèdent une machine à laver mais il faudra attendre 1983 pour que l’intégration de la puce électronique dans le lave-linge donne naissance à la performance que l’on connait aujourd’hui. Avant cela mon garçon me dit ma grand-mère, dans les années 1930 le linge était lavé dans des grandes bassines ou battu vigoureusement dans l’eau de la rivière ou d’un lavoir. Cette tâche était vraiment rude et bien sûr c’était à nous les femmes qu’elle incombait. C’est certainement dans ces lieux de labeurs comme les lavoirs qu’a du naitre l’esprit de Face book, car toutes les nouvelles du village y étaient discutés. Cher Richard, il faut aussi que tu saches puisque tu parais intéressé par la restauration, qu’une fois de plus il te faudra te tourner vers l’ancien temps pour mieux comprendre les secrets de la grande cuisine. Et depuis toujours ce sont mères et grand-mère qui ont nourri l’humanité et qui nous ont initiées au gout. Là, encore, je me souviens de la cuisine chaleureuse de Marie-Louise, la soupe toute simple qui cuisait des heures dans la cheminée, les somptueuses terrines de chevreuil accompagné du grand bocal de cornichons, les rôtis, les merveilleux poulets, bref une véritable cuisine d’amour. Tous les Top Chef du jour pourraient bien en prendre de la graine ! Je ne sais pas ce que la vie te réserve Richard, mais profites en à fond et tu verras, un jour dans 50 ans des jeunes gens de 15 ans te demanderont – mais comment pouvait-ont vivre en 2015. –La vie est belle et toutes les différentes générations ensemble construisent l’histoire de cette belle planète terre et comme le disent les enfoires dans leur dernière chanson : « Mais vous avez, Mais vous avez, Oui vous avez toute la vie, c’est une chance inouïe. Toute la vie, c’est à ton tour et vas-y, c’est la vie, la vie qui caresse et qui blesse, c’est ta vie, vole et vas-y, vole et vas-y, oui à ton tour vas-y ! »
Georges Gravé is the Personal Development & Training Manager at the Maia Luxury Resort and Spa
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
31
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WITH BERNARD GEORGES
Where to draw the line?
Resident lawyer Bernard Georges explains the tricky line between being able to testify and not
Question: A recent verdict in a murder case here raised the issue of the credibility of witnesses when they are family members of the victim. I am curious; for argument’s sake, let’s say a thief comes into my house and murders my husband and I witness it, is it best for me not to testify? Recent high-profile cases have certainly put the criminal justice system of Seychelles in the spotlight, or even under the microscope, as the stunning scenarios and, in some cases incomprehensible outcomes, have made the country as a whole stand up and review the events. A woman brutally murdered in her house while her children slept, a young police officer knocked down by a motor-vehicle, the grieving family of a popular sportsman left dazzled at the police’s inability to pin the blame on anybody. The nation as a whole knows it is time to take stock of what is happening and fix the system if it is broken. In the pantheon of criminal offences, murder still holds a place apart. It may be that there are more evil crimes, or offences deserving of more severe punishment, but murder is still rightly the crime which attracts the greatest angst and passion. The reason for that is simple – a life has been taken. A brutal rape may scar the victim emotionally for life, but the victim survives. A violent attack may permanently disfigure a person, but the person can go on living. Even drug trafficking, which blights the lives of many young people, and kills many slowly and painfully, is at one remove from the immediate taking of a life, which is what murder is. For that reason, murder continues to take a hold of the
32
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
imagination, whether in a written thriller, or a film, or crime documentary or, as our country has witnessed recently, real life events. The law relating to murder has been honed over many decades and it is as sharp as a razor blade. Criminal practitioners know the ins and outs of the crime like the backs of their hands. They know what is required to be proved by the prosecution, and what defences are open to the accused. They know, for instance, that in many cases the victim is only found dead after the event causing the death and that a case has to be put together from evidence which is not direct, such as that of an eyewitness, for instance. If a person walks up to another on a busy street in full view of a number of people and stabs another, the case will be open-and-shut. There will be witnesses who can say who did it and how it was done. These witnesses will be able to ensure that the perpetrator is convicted for his crime. But, what if the act is committed in private between two people, one of whom dies and the other escapes? How can a case of murder be built up then? The answer lies in something called circumstantial evidence. This is a series of things which, added together, can only point to the guilt of a person for a particular crime: a fingerprint or footprint at the scene of the crime, a misplaced statement by the accused to his friends, that sort of thing. But what about witnesses who are members of the family of the deceased? Do they count, or must the police look for other – usually
circumstantial – evidence? Let it be said at the outset that family witnesses are as good as any other independent witnesses in theory. A court weighs the testimony of every witness who comes before it independently and gives it the weight which the court deems appropriate. Thus, it may be that a court will discount a ‘family witness’ completely because the court may feel that the witness is not being upfront with the court, or the court may accept the evidence of that witness totally because the court, having heard the witness, is impressed with the witness as a witness of truth despite the connection with the case. Likewise, the court may accept the testimony of an independent witness, or reject it, depending on the court’s assessment of that witness as a witness of truth. There are no hard and fast rules. Each case revolves on its own peculiarities and each witness must be considered in the light of the testimony of that witness. A family witness may not come up to proof in one case, but that does not mean that family witnesses, or those closely connected with a crime cannot be accepted as witnesses of truth in another case. In the final analysis, there is no better way of proving the commission of a crime than by direct witness testimony. Circumstantial evidence is a necessary substitute when there is no direct evidence, but direct evidence is always better. If you see a person whom you can identify kill your husband, then yours is the best evidence there is to nail the murderer. But there is one caveat: you must be believable. It is too easy for someone to lie and say, ‘So and so did it. I was there. I saw it with my own eyes.’ Courts are aware of that. That is why evidence is given in our courts in the way it is – through direct testimony given publicly in court and tested by cross-examination. That process allows the testimony to be strengthened if it is true, or discredited if it is untrue. In that way a court is able to make a value judgment as to whether to accept the evidence as true, or to reject it as suspect. And this applies equally to whether the witness is linked to the victim or not. Both are equally competent witnesses, with equal weight given to their evidence so long as it is true. So, dear reader, never make the mistake of not testifying to something that you have seen. You have a duty to assist the state in bringing criminals to justice. That may not always happen because the standard required to prove a crime is naturally high in order to avoid miscarriages of justice. But, the alternative is worse. An innocent person must never be wrongly convicted of a crime through false testimony. Similarly, a guilty person must never be acquitted because witnesses have not testified as to what they have seen.
Educated at Seychelles College and Cambridge University, Bernard Georges has two Masters Degrees – in the law of divorce and in canon law, the law of the church. He is best known as a lawyer, having been in private practice for over 30 years. Over the past ten years, he has also been a member of the National Assembly. He is currently a part-time lecturer in law at the University of Seychelles, where he teaches Constitutional Law. And, he is a budding writer. He has written and published two novels to date and he promises many more books on history, law and Seychelles.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
33
SPORTS PERSONALITY
GET TO KNOW:
a s s i L e h c i Lab Leaping through life with confidence and pride, by Hanifa Francoise
34
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
SPORTS PERSONALITY
Photos: POTPOURRI Photography Studio
All her hard work was rewarded by numerous awards, such as being named sports lady of the year for 2012 and winning a silver medal during the World Junior Championships by attaining a height of 1.88m.
Who is Lissa? Anyone in tune with the sports world of Seychelles would instantly tell you that she is a national star athlete in high jump, but that would probably be all. However, Lissa started athletics at the age of 14, but it was neither her first nor only sport, before that she had been a basketball player, and dabbled in almost everything that had to do with track and field, before finding her passion as a jumper and deciding to stick to high jump. She is currently part of the national team and has been with them for a total of seven years, alongside it, she is also a newfound member of the ‘Shooting Star’ athletics club. Previously she was a part of ‘Fast Track’ athletics club, but her need to gain new experiences and further herself moved her to changing clubs, and her former club members met her decision with the utmost support.
All her hard work was rewarded by numerous awards, such as being named sports lady of the year for 2012 and winning a silver medal during the World Junior Championships by attaining a height of 1.88m. This remains her greatest sports-related achievement to date. I say sports-related for the plain reason that her feats as a high jump athlete are not the greatest milestones Lissa has achieved. For those of you who don’t know, at the tender age of 20, Lissa gave birth to a baby girl named Lerrsya, now 15 months old, and as many young mothers, she faced a lot of criticism for getting pregnant from her peers, including her own disappointment. But with time, she came to accept the blessing that is motherhood. You would think this meant the end of her sports career, but on the contrary, her situation fueled her to pursue her dreams even more, not only for herself, but for her daughter and in the process, prove the world wrong about young mothers.
As with any venture, the beginning was tough, it required a certain way of life and, being a student, it meant double the work, but with the neverending flow of support from her coach, the federation, her family (particularly her mother), Lissa found the will to persevere through juggling schoolwork and being an athlete.
Three months after giving birth, Lissa immediately returned to training, which was now twice as hard as she remembered, not only because she hadn’t been at it for quite a while, but because she was now responsible for a little life, and juggling motherhood and being a full time athlete proved to be quite the challenge. Lissa was never one to give up, and
A feeling I love to experience is that of pride in seeing someone you know from ‘back in the day’ and learning that they’ve made great achievements and accomplishments in life. Getting to interview Lissa Labiche was one such occasion.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
35
SPORTS PERSONALITY
she managed to find a way around all the trials, for example, whenever she has to travel for sports or attend sporting events, her daughter attends daycare during the day and rests in the arms of Lissa’s loving and supportive mother during the nights. Lissa also has support from her boyfriend and Lerrsya’s father, 100m dash runner, Lester Dogley. Lissa’s life is far from what people had negatively tried to convince her it would become, when they learnt of her pregnancy. If anything, it is much better than she expected, because she now has someone to whom she dedicates all her achievements, other than her own mother and fans. She has that little person who’s going to look up to her for an entire lifetime. Truth be told, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that becoming a parent, moreover a mother, is never an easy task, no matter how old you are, no one is born ready, no amount of books you read or research you undertake will prepare you for the life-long journey that is motherhood, and Lissa’s accomplishments just go to show that motherhood doesn’t mean forgetting about your own hopes and dreams, it means finding a way to make it all work together. It may prove difficult at first, but nothing good ever comes easy. To Lissa, her pregnancy might have been unplanned, but it is by far the greatest thing she has ever
achieved in her life. It was hard not to have flashbacks of seeing a younger Lissa, with messy hair, bouncing back and forth all over the stadium, looking mischievous to no end, while sitting across from her listening to how life had changed for her and what it’s like being a mother along with all her achievements as well as hopes and dreams and not have the biggest smile on my face. All she did was use the negativity flung at her as constructive criticism; she used it as a weapon to motivate herself instead of destroying herself. She chose to prove them all wrong instead of admitting they were right, and boy were they wrong! I may not know much about track and field events, but I’m definitely going to be on the look out for Lissa during this year’s ‘Jeux des Iles’, ‘All Africa Games’ and hopefully the ‘Rio Olympics’, an event she’s aiming to qualify for. If anything, Lissa is an inspiration not only to the youth of today, but for all those facing or going through pregnancy at a young age. What she’s made of herself, how far she’s come, and how much further she has to go, just goes to show nothing is impossible with the right mindset, motivation and support.
© Denyskuvaiev | Dreamstime.com - High Jumper Lissa Labiche From Seychelles Photo
36
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Miss Seychelles
Island Jewels
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
37
MINDFUL LIVING
VIEW FROM THE STATION
HONOURING THE GOD IN YOU Self-healing – the oldest healing of all By Jenny Gilbert Perhaps this article should conclude the 2015 programme on ancient methods of healing. Though that would be appropriate, I believe there’s no time to waste in sharing with you the oldest, totally free, simple and awe-inspiring practice of spiritual healing. My mum often told the story of how I started manipulating her to take me to Sunday School and did everything I could, at the age of 4, to get my family to church. While my parents were definitely god-faring folks, their conviction was founded on the principle of one God, one religion and so they were not churchgoers. So I can well understand their concerns over their little girl being swallowed up and indoctrinated into any religious persuasion. It is therefore not surprising that their decision to give into my demands came with a negotiation which I’m sure was simply a mechanism to give them time to mull over this new activity in my young life. If the dress my mum had just finished sewing for me was dry in the
38
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
morning, she would see to it that I showed up for my first Sunday school lesson. I then spent my entire schooling years at a convent, despite not being a Catholic. Come to think of it, I was very much the initiator of that decision even if I had always believed it was my parents’ choice. That opened the door, for me, to all the virtues I use in my healing practice (abundance, grace, humility, gratitude, integrity, acceptance and balance) and I thank them daily for ‘listening’ to me. While I didn’t (and was not allowed to) partake in the rituals of the Catholic Church, what I particularly and fondly remember were the retreats at school, which were days of silence and contemplation. I thought it was pretty special walking around the convent garden - a beautiful labyrinth-style, aromatic place - meditating on God and counting the beads on my rosary (which nobody could stop me from having). I can still smell it with its wooden cross, strung together with
It was these retreats that introduced me to my God, the spirit within me. Being somewhat ostracized from the other catholic pupils in school as a non-Catholic during religious ceremonies, I welcomed the retreats in which I was permitted to participate. In the silence and contemplation
I now know that we need nothing at all for healing but to know and trust that the greatest healing of all comes through the practice of spirituality. on those days I felt special, safe, loved and invigorated with a nurturing energy that was almost tangible, so alive and in grace that I didn’t want to start talking even once the silence was lifted. Connecting myself with what I came to experience personally as the source of everything good, infinite and all powerful, I knew that this energy could heal. And so started my true spiritual journey, which led me to energy healing with homeopathy. It made sense that our energetic body could be easily healed only by energy. I now know that we need nothing at all for healing but to know and trust that the greatest healing of all comes through the practice of spirituality. My great grandfather, Stephen Jeffreys, was a renowned faith healer who traveled the world curing multitudes of people from blindness, paralysis, degenerative diseases and more during his years as supposedly ‘one of the 3 greatest evangelists of this century’. Growing up with this knowledge was something I hid from my friends because I was embarrassed. In fact my entire family, apart from my very observant aunt kept this knowledge very quiet. It was, at the time, most definitely only something that traditionally religious people would accept easily. But times are changing with the Aquarian age upon us, which makes it far easier to talk openly about these things. With his great love of God as an Evangelist, my great grandfather was, I now understand, simply working with energy which he used as an elevated spiritual practitioner to positively alter and influence the lives of so many. Wikipedia describes God as “creator and ruler of the universe, source of all moral authority, the supreme being, a superhuman being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature or human fortunes”. I experience God as energy, Go(o)d energy, light, love, forgiveness, understanding, peace, harmony, humility, grace, an infinite number of attributes that make us whole. Were we to imagine an entity having or representing an infinite number of the virtues described here, we’d easily get a real sense that the Wikipedia definition of God is really quite fitting. My search for answers has helped me to understand better that operating from a God-ly or God-realised vibrational platform which we attain through consistent, daily spiritual practice, gives us the ability and capacity to create change (I’d prefer not to call them miracles). Recognizing that my great grandfather’s spiritual vibrational frequency developed the more he totally gave into living a life from the soul and as his mission to reach as many people grew, I can only conclude that the cures were vibrational transformations within him and the people he healed. I certainly do not pretend to have even an iota of an understanding as to how this works but find inspiring and absolutely realistic to think that the
more we concentrate on the energy of God and what that God energy embodies, the more we allow the word and its meaning to softly soak into our mind, heart and soul, the easier it is for us to become imbued with a spiritual quality that elevates us to a frequency at which spontaneous healing can, and does happen. I believe that it is exceedingly easy to achieve a life as a God-ly individual if we really wanted to. Though it takes time to build up these Go(o)d vibrations, each little leap one makes has a curative affect on us, those we come into contact with and the wider world around us. Starting with less obvious problems such as disharmony in the home or in relationships, depression, isolation or drama that threatens our peace of mind, building up these vibrations with daily practice is absolutely achievable – whether we are religious or not. In fact, this has nothing to do with religion but everything to do with true spirituality, which is found deep within us, our way of loving, accepting and relating to the world and people around us and how we connect to the God Source of energy. According to the Spiritual Science Reseach Foundation “the three subtle basic components of Sattva, Raja and Tama are the very fabric of creation. They permeate through all living and non-living, tangible and intangible things. The vibrations emitted by anything are dependent on its predominant subtle basic component. This also influences the behaviour of all things. The proportion of these components in human beings can only be changed by spiritual practice. The subtle basic component of Sattva, the most subtle or intangible of the three subtle basic components, is nearest to divinity.“ Hence a person who is truly happy, content and who consistently demonstrates virtues such as patience, perseverance, forgiveness, generosity, humility, spiritual yearning, grace, and more is thought to be resonating at a good Sattva level. Likewise an ungrateful, money-mad, self-serving, egotistical individual would have an elevated level of the Raja component. A murderer, child-molester, rapist would have a very low Sattwa level and an elevated Tama level. The Spiritual Science Research Centre teaches that for a person to practice as a spiritual healer (whether on oneself or on another), he or she needs to be above the spiritual level (or Sattva subtle energy level) of 50%. The SSRC encourages us to consider that the spiritual level of a God-realised person is 100%, the spiritual level of an average person in the present times is 20% and that over 90% of the world’s population is below the 35% spiritual level. Given these levels we shouldn’t be surprised that spontaneous healing is not as prominent as it could easily be, everyday occurrences that would be accepted as absolutely realistic and understandable, rather than being mistrusted as freakish happenings or miracles. For me, it is perfectly reasonable to think that the level of healing comes from the level of our spirituality that is entirely in our control. I have come to accept that spiritual healing is the most powerful form of healing there is and I feel blessed to feel comfortable with this conviction. Having seen how homeopathy works with energy (even when the individual being healed does not meet the minimum requirements for spiritual healing but the homeopathic intent is good and honours the source of all healing which is energy), my mind boggles at the possibilities that spiritual healing presents. Starting immediately, why not take a look at this vibrational healing practice which has the power to spontaneously alter our soul, our mind and emotions, our physical body, our immediate surround, our community, country, world and universe. There’s no time to delay, I think. If you’re interested in learning more about how to seriously partake in your own transformation, do yourself a favour and visit http://www. spiritualresearchfoundation.org. It is a good place to start, absolutely fascinating and the services offered are totally free. Take a journey with your spirit. You may find the answers you’ve been looking for within a click of your fingers.
Jenny Gilbert is the founder and owner of Everglow Ltd, the island’s premier natural health manufacturers and service providers. She is also Director of Wellness at Resonate Wellness at The Station. Homeopathy is a well recognised system of natural medical treatments for most diseases and conditions. Please visit http://www.thestationseychelles.com/ reflections or email wellbeing@thestationseychelles.com
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
39
MINDFUL LIVING
silver chain and garnet beads and I sometimes still get a whiff of the honeysuckle that filled the air with a sweetness I came to love and adore and which, today, is still unmatched by any fragrance in my memory.
AGONY AUNT
This month resident agony aunt Annalisa gives sound advice to two moms
Q: Dear Annalisa, I have 3 boys, with my eldest two being close in age being in P1 and P2 respectively. My youngest is in pre-school and not part of this dilemma. My eldest has been doing okay in school but my middle son is showing great promise and he’s always telling us about the compliments the teachers give him and we also naturally give our praises when he says something witty or does something that impresses us. We do the same for our eldest but to a lesser extent because the wow factor is simply less (academically). I am however conscious of my eldest boy’s self-esteem and give him praise and recognition for his own in devours and accomplishments, i.e. swimming well, helping in the garden, successfully completing a difficult game or making nice drawing, but am I doing it right? I want to raise well rounded boys and while I am proud of my middle child’s academic accomplishments, I am every bit as proud of all my boys and their emotional well-being is my priority even before the academics. Worried mum
while we don’t treat our kids the same way, it is suggested that parents should at least try to act like they do. That is, the less parents look like they are giving special treatment to one child, the better it is for the whole family
A: Dear worried mum, It is not uncommon for concerned parents to worry and question their methods of raising their children, or to question and worry about their behaviour towards all of their children. Parents worry about being fair and treating all of their children alike and equally. Hence like most parents, you place a pretty high value on treating the children “equally” which, in the parenting universe, means treating all your 3 boys the same. This in itself is probably not entirely possible. Think about this for a moment: Do you treat any two people the same? NO. Personality differences and temperaments – ours and theirs- play a big role in the way we interact with others. We interact, communicate and react to individuals in different ways. Simply because everyone is different. Now the same goes for our children. To be truly “fair” to our kids, it is important to realize that they have different needs. In that sense, as you are rightly doing, it is important for parents to relate to and treat each child differently. Treating each of one of your children as an individual is what helps the child to become a unique person and is a way of appreciating his special characteristics. Having said that, while we don’t treat our kids the same way, it is suggested that parents should at least try to act like they do. That is, the less parents look like they are giving special treatment to one child, the better it is for the whole family. Parents have to be clever and strategic in appearing equal. For if your child thinks you are favouring his sibling more, he may develop a dislike for that sibling. So keep the praises flowing all around, while for some it might be for “high score”, for another it might be “simply for trying”. You may then praise the high achiever in private. The one thing to keep away from: Caution; Danger zone! Comparing children to each other. So all in all, you are on the right track. Happy raising different but equally wonderful boys!
Q: Dear Annalisa, I have a wonderful nanny for my baby. Aside from being happy, my daughter also increasingly shows signs of learning new things; things which I know I haven’t taught her. The problem? When she’s not being wonderful to my
40
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
daughter, she’s cunningly stealing my toilet paper, my soaps, my detergents, diapers, wipes etc. For a while my husband and I suspected something was wrong but after paying close attention we realised our doubts were not figments of our imagination. We do not want to lose her because the priority is our child but we also want the stealing to stop. What do we do? Not-so-rich folks
A: Dear Not-so-rich folks, This doesn’t seem so much as a “To keep or not to keep” but more like a “To keep but how to keep?” I guess plainly put it you have a super nanny with a “one-not-so-super” behaviour. The magic here lies in your approach and to skillfully applying your assertiveness skills so that it work wonders. Situations which involve confrontation or disagreement can be difficult for many individuals. In the heat of the moment many of us can agree to things we are not happy about, or even become angry and defensive at those who we believe are “attacking” us. These reactions are common and being aggressive is often confused with being assertive. While both are style of communication, being assertive is the ability to firmly (but calmly) voice your opinions and points of view. As a way of communicating, assertiveness allows you to assert your personal rights without undermining the rights of others. It is also considered as a balanced response, being neither passive (where you say nothing to the nanny) nor aggressive (where you send her packing) with self-confidence playing an important role. An assertive person responds as an equal to others and aims to be open in expressing their wishes, thoughts and feelings. Follow the LADDER in being assertive and deal with this situation in a calm approach where you are also able to show appreciation towards her super behaviour with your baby. L: Look at your rights, what you want and what you need. You have a right to not be stolen from. You want that one-not-so-super behaviour to stop while not losing her as a wonderful nanny to your baby. A: Arrange a time and place to discuss the situation. Make it a “safe” place i.e not a confronting environment, and a time when you are not rushed for anything else. D: Define the problem specifically. State the facts as you see them and share your opinion and belief. D: Describe your feelings using “I messages” (e.g. I feel fortunate to have you a nanny to our baby, however I feel disappointed to realize that you are taking things from my house when we are also on a budget.) E: Express your request simply and firmly. Be specific and firm. State your wishes and needs as preferences rather than commands. (e.g. I would appreciate if you are in need of anything at any time that you ask me instead rather than taking as we have notice of you to be doing) R: Reinforce the possibility of getting what you want. The best reinforcement is to describe positive consequences (e.g., We really appreciate and value your care towards our baby, yet we are also not-so-rich folks who find it hard to cope with having things taken from us without our knowledge) Happy asserting.
Annalisa Labiche is a practicing Clinical Psychologist with over five years experience. She completed her Bachelor of Art (Psychology) degree and Masters in Psychology in Australia. She gives advice on a multitude of subjects, including relationships, parenting, family issues, psychological disorders, substance misuse amongst many others.
BUY & BOX
Shopping in the UAE? Take a lot more, for a lot less!
For all of your shopping in one box, call 4391048 or e-mail cargocommercial@airseychelles.com
Terms and Conditions Apply. Air Seychelles & Air Seychelles Cargo can’t be held liable for any third-party taxes or fees levied by the local authorities at any side, such as (but not limit to) customs fees, additional handling, storage, import tax,etc.. Items may be subject to import tax or customs duty in the Seychelles: those charges be billed separately by local authorities, MAY will 2015 | POTPOURRI 41 if applicable. Seychelles Box shipments are subject to standard Terms and Conditions of Air Seychelles & Air Seychelles Cargo.
Life, love and everything else The Japanese have a beautiful way of approaching brokenness. Although the practice of Kintsugi is for broken objects, this philosophy can also apply to oneself. When the Japanese mend these broken objects they fill the cracks with gold. This unique approach to repair derives from a belief that when something has suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful. Rather than throwing the object away, it is mended with gold to highlight an event in the life of the object rather than allowing its service to end at the time of its breakage. ‘Our lives do not go backward nor tarries with yesterday – for every wrinkled line is a road map of this journey, and every scar, a solemn decoration. It is perception that writes timeless poetry upon flesh and mind with quill dipped in golden ink… creating art despite the breaking, for that is when true beauty emerges.’
Kintsugi
Alexandria Faure finds the beauty in imperfection Kintsugi, golden joinery, is the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with powdered gold. This philosophy treats breakage as part of the history of an object rather than something to disguise.
We all get broken in one way or another in life but it’s all about how we handle the breaks that we experience. Sometimes we find the path towards healing and learning from our experiences, but the scars remain tender and painful. In Kintsugi the brokenness is repaired in such a way that it makes the object even more beautiful and more valuable than it was before it was broken. This exquisite way of mending broken things shows us that in life we should embrace our imperfections and find the treasures in our scars, that we are both beautiful and strong in our broken places. “The world breaks everyone, then some become strong at the broken places.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
Alexandria Faure is a freelance writer with a degree in Drama & Theatre Arts and hopes to pursue a masters in the near future. She is passionate about preserving the unique Kreol culture and heritage of Seychelles, and her hobby is researching different cultural aspects of Seychelles and the historical stories behind them. She hopes to share ideas and thoughts drawn from her life experiences in her articles.
42
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
WELLBEIN G
JOURNEY OF A HEALTHY PREGNANCY Eating well before and during pregnancy will give your baby the healthiest start in life INCLUDE: Starchy foods These include bread, rice, pasta, cereals, roots and tubers (‘gro manze’). This food group is essential for a healthy pregnancy as it is the main source of energy you will have. We need energy for everything we do and mothers-to-be need that extra kick of energy for working so hard in developing a baby. Make sure that you include this food group at all meals. Preferably choose wholegrain options as they contain more fibre, vitamins and minerals and less sugar.
There is no single food that will give you all the nutrients necessary for your pregnancy and your developing baby, which is why a combination of different food groups is essential to maximise your nutritional requirements. Fruits and vegetables
So many women have told me that you only discover the true meaning of unconditional love when you become a mother. The feeling is so overwhelming and beautiful when you realise you have created this bundle of joy, as they stare into your eyes for the first time. You instantly become a warrior ready to defend your child from any negativity; you instantly become responsible for their safety; you immediately become aware of their wellbeing and so the journey continues… So, where do you start to prepare and build on your and your baby’s health?
Pre-conception It all begins when you decide you are ready to have a baby. In preparation for your pregnancy you need to lead a lifestyle that boosts your chances of conceiving. Having a healthy balanced diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, high in fibre, lean meat and fish, as well as dairy, and limited in foods high in fat, sugar and salt, is the best way to prepare your body for pregnancy. Most importantly it is recommended to get as close to your recommended weight as possible before trying for a baby. Ideally your body mass index should be between 18.5 to 25. Being overweight or underweight can reduce your chances of conceiving because you may ovulate less often. Dieting during pregnancy is definitely not recommended so now is a great time to start making healthy choices that you can stick to once you conceive. However losing weight needs to be done through healthy eating and regular exercise rather than crash dieting. This can deplete your body’s nutritional stores and make it hard to conceive.
Pregnancy You are finally pregnant (or for some women you are suddenly pregnant)! Whether your pregnancy was planned or unplanned now is the time to start loving your body and making choices which are best for yourself and your future baby. Now you that you are a mother-to-be, it is essential to eat well. The most important thing is to have a balanced diet including all food groups. There is no single food that will give you all the nutrients necessary for your pregnancy and developing your baby this is why a combination of different food groups is essential to maximise your nutritional requirements.
You all know how important eating your five portions of fruits and vegetables per day is and this recommendation is even more important when you are pregnant. Remember that you are trying to maximise your intake of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for a healthy pregnancy. Don’t boil vegetables for too long, as you will lose all their benefits. Notice how the water is green when you boil your greens? This water is full of vitamins and minerals leaving your greens depleted of all their nutrients. Two options; steam or lightly stirfry your vegetables or if you really cannot do without boiling drink the green water too!
Food rich in protein These include lean meat, chicken, fish and eggs. More fish or meat? In Seychelles for sure fish! Fish is much less fatty than meat and also contains healthier fats than meat. Eat oily fish at least twice a week, as they are high in omega-3 fats (essential fatty acids for you and your baby’s brain). You can recognise oily fish by the colour of its meat; tuna, karan and bonito are great local options. Remember that the preparation of your fish is also essential. If you deep fry your fish on a daily basis then the fish will have more fat than a piece of grilled meat so ensure that you grill, bake or stew your fish as much as possible. Red meat should be consumed not more than twice a week because it is very high in saturated fats. If you have no cholesterol problems it is perfectly safe to eat eggs. Ensure that you cook your fish, meat and eggs properly and you do not opt for raw options as these could contain harmful bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning.
Dairy products These include milk, cheese and yoghurt and should be consumed at least three times a day. These are essential for your bone health and that of your baby; your growing baby will deplete your calcium levels making your bones very fragile at an older age. Always opt for semi-skimmed and skimmed versions of milk as full fat milk contains only more fat, not more vitamins and minerals. Milk products are also important because of iodine levels and you need plenty of iodine for your baby’s development.
Food to avoid during your pregnancy There are some foods that are best to steer clear because they could be unsafe for your baby; Liver products including liver pate, liver sausage; High concentration of retinol in the form of Vitamin A which can be harmful for your baby’s development. • Raw fish, meat, eggs as these are all sources of bacteria that can harm your baby. • Cheeses which are not pasteurized. These include soft cheeses such as blue cheese, camembert, blue cheese. These cheeses could contain listeria a bacteria that could also harm your baby. • Eliminate smoking and alcohol from your diet and ask those around you who smoke to keep a reasonable distance from you. • Most of all enjoy your pregnancy; everyone says it’s an unforgettable experience in a woman’s life!
Avoid foods high in fat, sugar and salt Unfortunately these foods contain no particular health benefits for your pregnancy and your baby’s development but if you have a generally healthy balanced diet there is no harm to having a few chocolates or an ice-cream once in a while. The problem is when we start replacing these high calorie foods for fruits and vegetables, a commonality nowadays here in Seychelles.
Célia is passionate to inspire happier and healthier lives by sharing holistic tips to her public. Her background is in medical anthropology and public health. She is currently working in the nutrition unit at the ministry of health.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
43
PARENTING
What Mums Really Want for Mother’s Day It’s essentially another birthday without the reminder of your age. A day to be recognised, adored and pampered. So we asked some Seychellois moms to give us feedback. By Nathalie Hodgson
44
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
The number one gift The gift that all mothers want for Mother’s Day is one of those things that money can’t buy – TIME. Time for more love and more gratitude. In essence it is ‘me-time, sleep time and family time’. The majority wrote in to tell us that they crave quality moments by themselves as well as with their loved ones. ‘Real downtime with family’, said Chantal Hoareau, mother of two boys aged 13 and 11. ‘No commitments, no work, no errands, no study, just an easy and relaxed day in the company of my boys. Day after day of being there for everyone, it is really nice to receive that one-day of special attention and ‘thank yous’. A concrete recognition for everything we do – be it having a career, running the house, being the best wife possible and all’, Chantal says.
From the heart Forget the latest household appliance, large bouquets or latest nail varnish colours. The gifts that mum will adore are ones that reflect a certain amount of thought and consideration; handmade with love, and personalised messages that she is never tired of hearing. ‘If it’s from the heart, I am so happy’, says Retha D’Offay, mother of two girls. ‘I am so delighted to find the creative gifts I receive, from the painted cardboard boxes, the dried crushed flower bouquet, burnt toast, maybe even eggs shells in my tea. These gifts are treasures beyond value, and each gift brings a smile and a cherished memory’. Other mothers wrote in wishing for: naps without interruption, a 5-course meal with all their favourite dishes, no chores or not to lift a finger all day and ‘on tap’ pampering (shoulder, neck feet and back rubs all day) – wouldn’t that be nice?
PARENTING
‘What do you really want for Mother’s Day?’ We asked some of our readers and we received a range of responses, with one central theme dominating. Take a look…
‘If it’s from the heart, I am so happy’, says Retha D’Offay, mother of two girls. Customary The traditional lavish gifts were not off the list completely for all mums. Who could say no to a weekend away, a day at the spa or even a 3-hour manicure and pedicure? ‘A spa day is my big dream’, says Saviona E-Hardy. ‘The perfect day is checking into a great 5-star hotel,followed by four hours of complete pampering in peace and tranquil settings where I can just disappear into the arms of the therapist’. No matter what you receive on the day remember to be grateful (even for the small things), this will in turn create respect and a stronger bond that will only grow each Mother’s Day and last a lifetime.
Nathalie Hodgson, is a writer, mother, PR & Marketing consultant, Doterra essential oils advocate and yoga instructor, riding the waves of life with her two kids and adorable beau and enjoying each moment, she can be contacted on natsavy@hotmail.com.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
45
FASHION 46
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
47
BEAUTY: ON-THE-GO
Take your look from
drab to fab
No matter how short on time you are, we have make-up solutions for 5, 10 and 15 minutes, for a boost to your everyday look… by Lynette Botha
As women, we lead busy lives; whether at home with the kids all day and keeping the home in order, or climbing the career ladder, or trying to juggle both, most days there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours to do everything. Least of all, for beautifying. But a brush of mascara here and a little eyeshadow there can transform our looks instantly, not to mention make us feel good about ourselves and boost our confidence.
5 minutes
If all you have to spare is five minutes, immediately after cleansing and moisturising, apply a tinted moisturiser or foundation, followed by a little concealer to dark circles under your eyes (don’t rub this delicate area, rather apply a little product at a time and pat it in). Also apply concealer to any blemishes or redness on your face and blend in. Apply two coats of mascara to top lashes and one coat to bottom lashes. Finish with a tinted lip balm or nude-toned lipstick (less upkeep than a bold shade).
10 minutes
Build on the five-minute look by adding a pop of colour to cheeks. Women underestimate the transformative power of a sweep of blush – it gives the complexion a natural flush, contours the face and really lifts your look. Using a blusher brush, sweep it on to the
centre of cheeks and then gently blend outward and upward towards your ears. Before applying mascara, apply a light brown or neutral shade of eyeshadow to eyes, for an everyday look (if it’s the evening, experiment with colours). Finish with a clear gloss over lipstick.
15 minutes
Take the ten-minute look up a notch by lining lower inner lids with eyeliner. For daytime go for navy or brown liner rather than black – black is very harsh, and in daylight can actually make eyes appear smaller rather than open them up. Add a little shimmer or bronzing powder to cheeks over your blush (just along the cheekbones, rather than your whole cheek like with the blusher). Brush out eyebrows to neaten them, pluck any stray hairs or fill in any sparse areas with a brow pencil or an eyeshadow in the same shade as your brows (ensure it has no shimmer); set them in place with a little Vaseline or hairspray spritzed directly on to your eyebrow brush. (Tip: If you don’t have an eyebrow brush, buy a toddler toothbrush and keep this in your make-up kit).
HAIR SOS Quick-fixes
Oily roots No time for a wash? Spray dry shampoo on to roots, let it settle for five minutes and then brush out. If you don’t have dry shampoo, use baby powder; allow it to absorb excess oil as with dry shampoo and then brush out gently. Bed-head Hair a mess and no time to style it? Tie it back in a low bun and use a little hair gel on the crown of hair to tame any fly-aways for a basic, slicked-back style. Easy waves Wash hair at night, towel dry and then plait it loosely and sleep with it in. In the morning loosen and “brush” through with your fingers, for loose waves.
48
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
BEAUTY
natural and proud of it This time around Shelly-Ann Reix is determined to keep her hair natural So I am natural. Again. My friends are asking me “how long is it going to last this time?”...my boyfriend cringes, secretly crosses his finger thinking “maybe it’s another phase”...work colleagues are starting to wonder “Why did she give up on comb?” and I am smiling and enjoying the journey. In all fairness though, I cannot blame the world for all the...uh...negativity? Confusion? Opinion?...I have travelled this road before and did not get very far...well it lasted a year...but then the constant struggle (and I really do mean struggle!) in the morning got the better of me...you see...my hair...as much as I love it...and as much as I may hate to admit it...is a little bit like me...it really has a mind of its own...and extreme negotiating skill is required to get it to do what I want it to...sometime I even leave home thinking that we have agreed on a hairstyle, only to catch myself in a car window and realise that I have been betrayed by “le hair” yet again... so for me, one year of negotiation was all I could take before I went back to my tamed hair...hello my old friend relaxer... Strange as it may sound, I found myself missing my wild, untamed, difficult, unique (by more than a thousand mile) hair...so once again...I am natural...well almost..I am still transitioning (for those not familiar with the natural world, it simply means that I have not cut off all the relaxed ends yet) Reflecting on my journey...I ponder upon why I gave up in the first place... why it was so difficult for me to just love my hair and just leave it be...one of the main reasons I gave up was because I work...and somehow our hair (in its natural habitat - so to speak) is not the most “professional hair”...I grew up on this island and since a little girl I have been bombarded with messages that have lead me to believe that my hair is “tidy” ONLY when it lies quietly on my head and stays there (you know, a bit like we liked our women in the 50s – seen not heard) but this is nearly impossible with my hair...my point is...I have been taught that my hair is not “proper” for
school, workplace, social function...in actuality it felt like it could only be left to its own device on Saturday spring cleaning... Of course that also meant that I did not know how to care for my hair or style it...I only tied it in a bun (a habit that I had from my school days when that was the only acceptable hairstyle) and I was ready to go wherever... so that was another reason why I quit...wedding fever was all around and I did not know how to naturally make my hair look like those on magazines (add that to the fact that I was not exposed to magazines with natural hair then)...but before I bade adieu to “le kreps” I went to the hairdresser... and that look of utter disappointment as I unleashed “madame krepi” on them said it all...and they punished me for ruining their day...my hair was painfully pulled with those tiny combs (and to think that I actually paid for this torture!)... a quarter of the hair that was on my hair on entrance was on the floor upon exit... took me right back to my childhood when my granny used to pull my hair (zis ti napa draze pour pez anba ledan)... Add this to the fact that there weren’t many naturals then...I gave up “the fight”...however, in the words of Bob Marley, I eventually got up, stood up and I am newly natural...I hope not to give up the fight as it is a very important one for me, it is one that will allow us to redefine beauty...that will enable us to teach our little girls (while they are playing with their afro Barbie - that we did not have) that there is beauty in being different and that our high maintenance hair is worth it... So to all the naturals who are “that close” to giving up...who sit in front of the mirror threatening their hair...I have grown immensely from my journey and have learnt to love myself a little bit more in the process...I am still “un-learning” many of the beliefs that I had about natural hair in general, and my hair in particular and I am appreciating the beautiful diversity that exists in hair. So whilst I am still a long way to where I want to be... (in my dreams I wear daring hairstyles confidently on a daily basis)...it is a worthwhile journey and there are oh so many others travelling this road now...so reach out...and let that hair “stand out” every once in a while...you know it wants to...
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
49
Liquid p ow e r
The first in our new series of monthly juice and smoothie recipes with Sey Si Bon’s Steve Colas… Seeing as it’s the mother’s issue, I thought it would only be fitting to share a recipe for this delicious detox juice, which not only rids the body of bad toxins, but also boosts energy and the immune system. Moms are on the go 24/7 and this is the perfect energy booster, any time of the day!
Ingredients: BEETROOT: benefits include ridding the body of toxins, improving mental health and boosting energy. Beets are high in potassium, magnesium, fibre, folic acid, iron and vitamins A, B and C. CARROT: benefits include reducing cholesterol, preventing certain cancers, improving digestion, increasing skin health as well as improving eyesight. APPLE: benefits include curbing many cancers, decreasing the risk of
diabetes, good for digestion and stomach ailments, detoxifies the liver and assists with weight control.
GINGER: benefits include being an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial, as well as containing high amounts of vitamins A, C and E, calcium, zinc and potassium.
Method:
Place equal amounts of beetroot, carrot and apple in a juicer or blender, as well as a chunk of peeled fresh ginger and blitz. Pour in a glass and top with ice cubes or crushed ice for pure enjoyment. Beetroot is an acquired taste and not many people enjoy drinking beetroot juice, however, when mixed with apple, carrot and ginger, you get a lovely fresh and zingy juice combination that is very refreshing. No time to do it yourself? Swing passed Sey Si Bon at Eden Plaza and let us make it for you! Ask for it by name - the True Blood Detox Smoothie.
ABOUT SEY SI BON Sey Si Bon, opened in 2012, was the first juice bar in Seychelles, introducing Mahe to wonderful, freshly-made juices and over 30 signature smoothies. Also on offer are a variety of low-fat frozen yogurts, sweet and savory buckwheat crepes, coffee and pastries. Visit us today at Eden Island Plaza; free parking for the first hour. Visit www.seysibon.com or like our Facebook page to keep up-to-date.
50
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Bouncy Bees Bouncy Castles for Hire Delivery | Set-up | Pick-up
Call 2576480 or Email: bouncybees.sey@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/BouncyBees MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
51
FITNESS
“I DO SIT-UPS EVERY DAY
BUT I CAN’T GET RID OF MY BELLY!”
Do we have your attention? Hassan Al-Ameri has tips to help you out I guarantee that the title of this will speak to almost everyone. As a coach I hear this on a daily basis and, to be honest, it’s understandable! If I want to lose fat from my legs, I’ll do leg extensions; if I want to lose fat from my arms, I’ll do bicep curls. It kind of makes sense and would be perfect in an ideal world. Unfortunately, that’s just not how it works. The theory that you can pick-and-choose where you lose your body fat is known as “spot reduction.” Spot reduction has been researched again and again by numerous biology, physiology and sports science institutes the world over. Guess what? It is nonsense; impossible; a mere pipe-dream. That’s right. Unfortunately your body loses fat in much the same way that it gains fat. Some people tend to gain weight on their bum first and some on their belly. Some people tend to lose weight really fast from their limbs while their stomach continues to balloon. Fat loss varies from person to person depending on their hormones, age, condition, diet, alcohol consumption, water consumption, genetics and more. “So what do I do?” I hear you cry. Well, a surefire way to progress with fat loss is two-fold. Firstly, you need to dial in your nutrition! This is notoriously difficult but no amount of training or dedication will make up for a poor diet. As famous celebrity trainer Mark Twight once said, “if a guy is training with us in the gym five times a week for two hours, that leaves 158 hours for him to f*** everything up if left to his own devices.” People are often guilty of over simplifying nutrition. To eat “healthy” is not enough. You must eat for a purpose. For example, fruits are seen as extremely healthy foods, and rightfully so! They are packed full of vitamins and antioxidants. If your goal is fat loss however, fruit will not serve you well as it is very high in sugar. The best way to approach the task of sorting out your eating habits is to seek out a professional nutritionist or dietician. The second thing that will help you reach those targets is a properly structured training regimen, containing lots of functional compound movements and some good, intense cardio. As with nutrition, exercise is not a simple science. There are an infinite number of exercises and a reason for choosing to do each one. Nothing should be random. Again, unless you are 100% sure of what you’re doing, it is always best to enlist the services of a qualified and experienced trainer. So forget the crunches and ditch the fad products (Kim Kardashian and her waist trainer come to mind here). It’s time for a new approach – a more effective approach.
Until next time… Yours in Health & Fitness, Hassan
52
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
What supplements could help you ditch those extra pounds? Whey Protein A good quality whey protein such as NutriTech Pure Whey will help you build lean tissue, boosting your metabolism!
Fat Burners There is a lot of nonsense out there in this department. Your safest option is to obtain a pharmaceutical grade fat burner such as Evo Slim from a licensed dietician.
Fish Oils Omega 3 fish/krill oils are great for your heart, help lower cholesterol and support healthy weight loss. All reputable sports supplement stockists should have high-grade fish oils on their shelves!
Sweet Treat Alternatives Everybody loves something sweet every now and then. But what to do if you can’t have sugar? Sport supplement brands such as SupaShape have products such as protein pancakes, jelly-lean, protein desserts and many more! No need to deprive yourself! NutriTech, SupaShape, Evo Slim and many other recognised sports nutrition brands are available at: ESN, Espace Building, Victoria.
Hassan is a Master Trainer from the European Institute of Fitness, living on Mahé. For any further advice on health and fitness, you can contact Hassan directly on: Tel: +248 2568629 Email: h.al-ameri@hotmail.co.uk
CONSERVATION
What’s the connection? A lot more than you think… Ginnie Laurenciene explains…
Many of us are all too familiar with the horrible gluey smell given off when we refresh our homes with a little paint...we remember making a mental note of the fact that the invisible fumes we are breathing into our lungs cannot be that good for us. Yet, paint remains an essential part of our redecoration routines, whether it’s our homes round about the festivities, or our offices that need a touch, here and there. How does one re-decorate, without deteriorating one’s health and that of our environment? It is essential to understand a little of the product at hand. Paints are mainly of two types: oil based and water based. Basically all paints, whether oil or water based, are made up of a mix of resins, pigments, solvents and additives. Resins are sometimes referred to as binders because they provide adhesion and strongly influence the gloss, durability, flexibility and toughness of the final product. Pigments or colourants give the array of colours to choose from; solvents help to dissolve and disperse the other ingredients and provide the desired consistency of the paint, and additives, provide specific paint properties such as mildew resistance for example. Many traditional paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – you can detect these by the odour or scent that escape to the air when the paint is applied thus contributing to air pollution. The stronger the smell of paint, the more VOCs. VOCs cause a variety of health problems like nausea, dizziness, and possible irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, especially if painting in a small enclosed, badly ventilated area. If continually exposed to paint products that have high VOCs over a prolonged period of time, exposure may also lead to lung or kidney damage, and even cancer. Other chemicals and heavy metals often found in paints such as lead, are also linked to health and environmental problems. The best bet in Seychelles is to ask the supplier if the paint is eco-friendly. For example, Penlac Ltd., is one local company which has taken specific steps in recent years to reduce the environmental impact of their paints. Eco-friendly paint contain low, or zero levels of VOCs, and very low traces of heavy metal. A point to look out for is also the packaging that the paint comes in. It would be good to choose a paint whose packaging is made from recycled materials or one which can be re-used.
Here are some more tips to guide your choice to an eco-friendly paint
READ PRODUCT LABELS
The simple rule is the lower the VOCs, the safer and healthier the paint. Generally, a low-VOC paint contains less than 50 g/L before tinting; zeroVOC paint has less than 5 g/L before tinting. Most oil-based paints contain
far more VOCs than water-based paint, so choose to use an oil-based paint only when absolutely necessary, for e.g. for outdoor painting jobs. Interestingly, in some parts of the world, e.g. Canada, oil paints have been completely banned due to their toxicity and the toxicity of the products needed to clean brushes.
BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED
Ask your paint supplier to help you work out exactly the amount of paint you will need. In case you do not use it all up, you can give it away, or stock it. Left-over paint can always be used for future touch-ups.
USE YOUR BRAIN, NOT THE DRAIN
Don’t tip left over paint down any water drains or down the household sink or toilet and don’t pour it onto the ground or mix with other wastes. Large amounts of leftover or unwanted paint should be given away or taken to the designated solid waste facility or dumping site at Providence.
WASH BRUSHES CAREFULLY
Wrap your used paint-brush in cling film or a plastic bag, for re-use, to prevent the paint from drying on the brush. If you must absolutely wash the brush, do not do it under running water!!! For water-based paint, fill a container, and close the tap!! Don’t dump the water down the drain (or into a river!), let it settle, pour the “clear” water into the ground, let the sludge dry and then put it in the bin.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.
Choose a paint whose packaging is either made from recycled materials or which is re-usable. Your plastic paint container can be re-used!!! If it has a handle, it’s a great bucket!!! Let small amounts of left over paints dry off, and use the paint container as a bin, storage container, a flower pot (why not?). Remember, do not rinse your paint container, let the paint dry off, away from children and pets. Check with your supplier if they accept the paint containers for re-use. All Penlac plastic containers, for e.g. with the paint scraped out, are recyclable at the company’s main depot at Le Rocher. Penlac will repurchase its used containers from customers.
Contributed by Ginnie Laurencine for Sustainability for Seychelles, a local NGO whose mission is to promote sustainable living in Seychelles. Contact us on info@s4seychelles.com or tel. 251-9135 or 4224072. Find us on the web at www.s4seychelles.com or on Facebook.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
53
ENVIRONMENT
Solar Seychelles
Cousin Island Seychelles
The islands are turning to Solar Power in a bid to save money and help in the fight against Climate Change by Tim Kirkpatrick Planet Earth is being fundamentally changed for the worse by the burning of fossil fuels that release climate changing gases into the atmosphere. As humans we have become totally addicted to the comforts and luxuries that the modern world gives us, our economies are all based on growth, the majority of which need more energy to achieve that growth. Practically all this energy is produced by burning fossil fuels. Our planet has warmed considerably over the last two hundred years, the atmosphere has been thickened by the CO² (carbon dioxide) and other gases such as CH⁴ (methane) which act like a blanket, trapping heat that would otherwise escape. These gases have long been trapped in the earth’s crust from a time when the planet went through a previous natural warming period probably caused by mass volcanic eruptions.
The forming of fossil fuels millions of years was one of earth’s natural mechanisms for regulating her climate (she is very clever). Massive amounts of sea life and vegetation died. Over time this decayed and became buried under layers of silt. As the silt built up the decaying matter was put under enormous pressure and fossil fuels where formed thereby trapping the CO² and other forms of carbon that the life had contained. The resuting climate was pefect for life to exist in balance and harmony. We have upset this balance dramatically by releasing so much of these gases in such a short space of time that if we do not either stop, or at least move very quickly towards a low carbon emissions global economy we will destroy life as we know it. Not just for humans but for every one of the 186,000 know species we share our planet with.
Cousin wildlife
Cousin wildlife
Aride PV panels
Aride sunny island
54
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Curieuse PV array
We can change and we are changing even here in Seychelles, a remote region of the western Indian Ocean. “Climatecaring” as a concept is an individual’s response to a deep sense of responsibility towards Earth and its inhabitants. That individual is Tim Kirkpatrick a long time Seychelles resident. As a Seychelles company “Climatecaring” has set out to replace as many fossil fuel guzzling diesel/ petrol generators as possible. One litre of fuel produces 2.4 kg of CO² when burnt. Generators to produce electricity are used on all inhabited islands of the Seychelles, producing thousands of tons of emissions annually and costing millions of dollars to run. The sun has the power to supply all the energy the earth needs hundreds of time over for all of time. Here at 4.7 degrees south of the equator we have one of the highest incidences of solar irradiance (power) on the planet giving nearly 5kwh per square metre over land and sea. By harnessing this energy with photovoltaic solar panels we can produce energy at a fraction of the cost of fossil fuels with zero emissions. Four Seychelles Islands have embraced the solar revolution so far. Aldabra employed an expensive German company to help them. Three went solar with the direct help of Climatecaring. The first one was Curieuse Island, where “Global Vision International” has a research base. Tim Kirkpatrick of Climatecaring designed and installed a solar system that has completely replaced the small generator giving 24 hour electricity and allowing the base to operate much more efficiently. The solar system saves $7000 and 9 tons CO² emissions annually. The financial investment in the system was paid back through fuel and generator savings in 20 months.
ENVIRONMENT
Curieuse Island
Aride boat house
Curieuse solar installation
Aride Island, owned and run by “Island conservation society” (ICS) went solar two years ago. Again Climatecaring was there to assist in the installation of a 5kva inverter/charger, 28 large solar panels and a battery bank. It is estimated the payback time will be two and a half years. This beautiful island, a sanctuary for the birds is now a truly peaceful place. The staff no longer has to carry heavy polluting fossil fuels to the island on a weekly basis and ICS has more money to spend on important conservation projects. Everyone wins. The next target for Climatecaring’s attention was Cousin Island. Run by “Nature Seychelles.” One of Seychelles leading NGO’s with its charismatic CEO, Dr Nirmal Shah at the helm. There was a problem here, they had no money. So Tim Kirkpatrick in collaboration with Nature Seychelles ran a crowd funding campaign. The first of its kind here in Seychelles. Using the popular funding site, indigogo. After a three month intense funding drive SRC556, 000 (£26,500) was raised. More than enough for a state of the art solar system to power the entire island. The system was designed, parts ordered and after the usual shipping delays all equipment had arrived on Mahe by the beginning of March this year. It will be installed and fully operational by mid-April. Cousin Island will never again have the background throbbing rumble of a generator invading its tranquillity and the world will be a little bit closer to becoming free of the fossil fuels that are choking our planet to death. Here at Climatecaring we invite all Seychelles Islands to join in the fight against climate change and save money at the same time. Contact us at tckpemba@gmail.com or call Tim on +248 253 9157.
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
55
T he
St or y
“Given enough coffee, I could rule the world” – or so the quote goes…
Coffee. Where would we be without it? For starters, bleary-eyed and less alert every morning, that’s for sure. Since 1933, illy has been producing rich and full-bodied, yet velvety smooth coffee – a flavour and combination that is a distinct illy trademark. illy’s signature blend - a rich symphony of nine pure, sustainably grown Arabica beans from four continents, delights millions of coffee lovers at home, at fine hotels, restaurants and cafes, and at work, every day, in 140 countries around the world including sunny Seychelles. It’s pure delight in a cup. But the illy brand is about so much more than just amazing coffee; in March this year, the brand was once again recognized by the Ethisphere Institute (the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices), as one of the World’s Most Ethical companies 2015. The World’s Most Ethical Companies designation recognizes those organizations that have had a material impact on the way business is conducted by fostering a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of the company. Being a third-year honoree underscores illy’s commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices ensuring long-term value to key stakeholders including customers, employees, suppliers, regulators and investors. illy is one of only two companies in the coffee industry this year.
THE TOP 10 BENEFITS OF COFFEE 1.
Coffee increases energy levels and makes you more alert.
2.
Coffee can assist in burning fat and caffeine is found in almost every “fat-burning” supplement on the market.
3. Caffeine increases adrenaline, making you able to endure more physical exertion – a cup 30 minutes before exercise is a good idea. 4.
Coffee contains vitamin B2, B3, B5, Magnesium and Potassium, among other nutrients.
5.
A cup of coffee aids breathing and digestion.
6.
It reduces feelings of hunger and so can be a helpful in maintaining a healthy diet.
7. Some studies suggest that a cup of coffee reduces migraine symptoms. 8. More recent studies have disproved some old beliefs: in reasonable doses coffee does not disturb sleep or affect the heart. And it may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. 9. Coffee contains antioxidants, which help to eliminate free radicals. 10. An espresso is thought to be the “healthiest” form of consuming coffee; the preparation of which combines the most taste and least caffeine content.
56
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
“Receiving this award from The Ethisphere Institute exemplifies our company’s effort to pursuing the highest ethical standards, which has been at the foundation of illycaffé since its establishment over 80 years ago by my grandfather,” said Andrea Illy, Chairman and CEO, illycaffé SpA. “This award would not be possible without the people who help define and drive our organization, from our growers, to our colleagues and our customers. We’re deeply rooted in a commitment to caring for our extended family, who share and live our values, every day.” Brands who produce quality products coupled with a focus on ethical trading are so important in this day and age. It makes consuming illy coffee that much more satisfying; although not much can top the extremely recognizable illy taste. Described as having “a velvety tactile sensation, a sweetness that is perceived immediately, a balanced dialogue between sour and bitter notes, floral and fruity, caramel, toast, chocolate, hints of almond and honey that ultimately consult a sweet sensation”, it’s clear to see the dedication and technique that go in to keeping this composition consistent with the original taste of illy, in order to honour the age old blend.
COFFEE LOVERS UNITE We asked our Potpourri Facebook fans what they love most about coffee and how they enjoy it best. Our top five answers below: I am a coffee fanatic; I take mine black with a little teaspoon of honey. It’s the perfect to kick start for your metabolism in the morning and gets in that little dose of caffeine that’s crucial for my body to function. It goes perfectly with my favourite morning snack, being half a banana coated with organic peanut butter, and muesli. Tastes so good and moreover a good healthy treat. Nathalie Maillet I take my coffee black, preferably made in a moka pot or aeropress. And if I wake up and notice that I’m out of coffee, my reaction is similar to news of a national disaster or a new world war. To quote an unknown source “You should never have too much blood in your caffeine stream it’s dangerous”. Johan Bernhardsson Both hot and cold, I like my coffee strong. Not too sweet or milky. In the morning, I like a spoon of chocolate (either Milo or Ovaltine) instead of sugar, when opening my email if I’m in the office. If not in the office, I start my day before sunrise usually 4:30 or 5am in the forest or mountain, before leaving home I grab a ready sachet (which is also as good) in my travel mug and just pour hot water, then start hiking. With my coffee on a mountain or in the forest with wonderful sounds of nature, watching the sunrise is one of the best ways to start the day. When it’s hot ice-cold coffee with a few drops of mint essence is really nice and refreshing. I absolutely cannot drink coffee before bed unless I am on holiday, I will sleep too well that I will forget I need to wake up in the morning. The smell of coffee is too good. Drinking coffee with my best friend is one of my favourite things to do. Dylis Pouponeau I like my coffee hot and sweet, anywhere, any time, if I miss out on my coffee routine, I’m sad all day. Coffee keeps me going and keeps me focused; it’s my wake-up call, my strength – I can’t live without it. Leila Voilcy Coffee is my life. Waking up without it makes me become so grumpy. I get bad headaches, from cafeeine withdrawals and it just ruins my whole day if I miss out on that first cup in the morning. Even the smell of strong, rich coffee can improve my day. I’m addicted to it… coffee is my drug. Myra Athanase Each of these readers will receive an illy pen drive, courtesy of illy.
iLLY BY NUMBERS
140: countries where illy is available
50,000+: events in which illy is involved annually worldwide
800+: worldwide employees
373.9 million: 2013 gross revenue in euros
56%: share of illy coffee enjoyed outside of Italy
200+: espressamente illy coffee bar locations worldwide
1500+: Artisti del Gusto cafés worldwide
4: major certifications for quality and sustainability
4: company-founded research facilities
4 of 8: major worldwide coffee industry innovations
20+: University of Coffee locations worldwide
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
57
DINING R E S TA U R A N T R E V I E W
A night in Eden On a man-made island, in the middle of what the world considers to be the Garden of Eden lies a hotel unlike any of those available in the Seychelles. Eden Bleu Hotel is considered the first business class hotel in the archipelago, but this is not to say it’s not fit for leisure. From rest and relaxation to retail therapy and, as Mawess Wirtz finds out, fine dining, Eden Bleu offers it all…
The hotel’s restaurant is aptly named Marlin Bleu, after the blue marlin, a fish that features in the top ten of every angler’s dream catches. They can be found thriving in the Seychelles’ warm waters and the name further connects the hotels emphasis on all things ocean. The sea theme is also apparent in the tasteful design and décor of the whole establishment but nothing beats the smell of the sea that wafts in from the marina. The sight that meets the eye is like a tableau, a blanket of blue with yachts and other boats berthed in its waters. The staff of the restaurant are keen to cater to every client and no request is left unconsidered, to quote the chef, Mr Vernon Nagapin, “clients give you the opportunity to show what you can do”. The staff makes sure that you are able to feel like the only customers and attention to detail is paramount. The chef also has cooking on North Island on his resume – anyone who has cooked for the list of A-listers that frequent those shores, is most definitely able to cook for me. Diners at Marlin Bleu gain from his experience in that he runs a very tight ship and he is very flexible, not considered a normal attribute of a chef. He has a Seychellois team that he has trained to produce over 45 meals and they run like a well-oiled machine. Under the restaurant manager, Mr Romain Sauzier, clients are greeted as they walk in with a smile and there is no need to go in search of a seat, the friendly staff will guide you and immediately offer you a beverage.
58
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
DINING OCCASIONS
There is an extensive selection of cocktails available and at RS125 they are not too hard on the pocket. Teetotallers need not fear, there is also a wide selection of delicious mocktails, which due to no alcohol, are only RS75. The drinks can be enjoyed poolside, on the deck or in the dining area, all of which provide amazing views of the marina and a lovely cool sea breeze. The play on the word ‘eden’ becomes evident during dinner. The a la carte menu changes daily, so should you dine frequently; there is a variety of choice. Better yet, the menu caters to the palate of everyone and the food that I had the pleasure of sampling was reminiscent of dishes from various parts of the world. The prawn cocktail is a well-known starter worldwide and chefs like tweaking it to make it their own, but Chef Nagapin’s is unlike any other I’ve tasted. The tomato tart is a simple but elegant starter; the crust crumbles in your mouth and the spicy tomato smells and tastes so fresh. The Bourgeois risotto is absolutely delicious and I loved the generous portion size, ensuring there are no empty stomachs leaving the restaurant. While I silently raved about the fish, my plate was whisked away and I was informed that I would now be served a lemongrass sorbet to cleanse my palate. If I died those few seconds after I had dessert, it would have been with a happy heart. ‘Chocolate fondant’ should be the new synonym for heaven. It was paired with pistachio ice cream that really set off the flavours of the chocolate. After having one, it was only the thought that it would be extremely rude to ask for another that stopped me from doing just that. After dinner I was able to stroll through the hotel and take a peak in the boardrooms; everything in the room is controllable by a remote and any extra is just a touch of a button away. There is Wi-Fi access, interactive screens, conference calling facilities – basically everything you would need to conduct a successful meeting or conference, right down to the mint on the table. The best thing however, was the largest conference room in the country. It is a massive space that accommodates a minimum of 250 people. It has amazing wooden-panelled walls, air conditioning and again everything controlled remotely; there are even lighting options for every event. Another perk is the fact that the room has vacuum-sealed doors, thus providing a level of privacy second to none. Perfect for a conference, concert, wedding or grand ball. You do not have to break the bank to dine at Eden Bleu’s Marlin Bleu – the food is affordable, which is amazing considering the level of food on offer. If you’re not up for dinner, then at least go for cocktails… and maybe, a chocolate fondant!
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
59
OCCASIONS 60
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
OCCASIONS
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
61
POP CULTURE
Easy Listening Our new ‘what’s hot’ on the music scene column with Paradise FM’s DJ Ezy D Mercenary – Nouvo Edisyon
Arguably one of the best Reggae talents in Seychelles, Mercenary is back with his 9th solo album. This one entitled, Nouvo Edisyon. There is a strong element that seems to separate ‘Mersener’ as the locals calls him, from the rest. He has the ability to bring you into his moods, and what he is feeling through his songs, it’s almost hypnotic. This is another well rounded 18 track album with a bit of everything for everyone. Mercenary has always kept true to his roots and this album is no exception. His songs touch on daily life emotions and struggles; it is almost like he walks around talking to everyone and then turns his findings into songs. His lyrics are well balanced and catchy. This album was highly anticipated and promised a lot based largely on the success of the last one. Although it’s still early to call it, based on the reception so far it’s on the right track to surpassing his previous album. With a string of upcoming local and international concerts, Mercenary is definitely already a contender for Male Artist of the year. The song to watch is Track 2, Believe Dan Love already the number 1 local song on ParadiseFM and Track 8, Roula is also a big hit in the Nightclubs.
Waves – still got it, still making waves
In the 80’s locally they were acknowledged to be one of the best bands in the Seychelles, with their joyful sounds and melodies. After years of inactivity, on the 14th of February Waves made a public appearance, albeit with the absence of their main female vocalist, with a fantastic spectacle that wowed the audience and even moved some to tears, especially while performing one of their greatest hits ‘It’s only a dream’. To conclude that night, Waves had really spiced up the mood not only with the outstanding performance but as well as the whole concept of the event. After giving their forever-strong fan base a taste of nostalgia, the fans are demanding more, The big question now for Waves is do they make an official comeback? The band leader, Mr Jimmy Savy said to me in an interview that since their Valentine’s Day Concert, they have been receiving overwhelming calls to play at weddings and private functions all over Seychelles. Mr Savy also confirmed that Waves will be doing another live concert soon, however its still in the planning phase at present.
Celebrity cat-fights
Big Sean tells Justin Bieber: Hands off Ariana Grande or else Justin Bieber got a little hands-on with Ariana Grande during a performance a while ago, much to the dismay of her boyfriend rapper Big Sean, who went on Twitter and threatened him. Bieber made a surprise appearance at Grande’s concert at the Forum in L.A., where the two performed “As Long As You Love Me.” Toward the end of the
song, Justin called her over, told her to stand in front of him and he threw his arms around her. It’s pretty apparent, Ariana was not having any of it and she quickly disentangled herself. But apparently not quick enough for Big Sean, who was in Canada -- and caught wind of Bieber’s antics through social media. He tweeted (and later deleted), “This kid is about to learn not to touch my girl like that. Beliebe that.” Break Up, Make Up, Break Up Again? Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose hated each other just a few weeks ago, but then celebrated together again at Easter. Wiz, Amber and 2-year-old Sebastian arrived in the same ride for Tamar Braxton’s big Easter party and according to guests at the party, Wiz and Amber were affectionate with each other, at times hugging and very playful. At times they walked away from the crowd to spend time with each other. This is a big deal because a little while before, Amber had posted on Instagram that she prays, dreams and hopes she gets back Pwith Wiz.
Up Coming Live Concert & Gigs Mercenary in Music Concert Date: Friday 1st May Venue: Tequila Boom
The Charts Paradise FM Top 10 local songs 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Top 5 Hits in the Clubs 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
62
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
Believe Dan Love – Mercenary Carnaval Dan Sesel – Regis & Cus Man Lavi Martiy – Smash Kid Pa Oubily Nou Lanmour – Danielo ft Zanmi Zis En Letan – Highness ft RilThing Roul Ponm Damour – Jean Marc Volcy Met Delo – Jean Marc Volcy O.N.O – T Tray Carnaval Dan Sesel – Regis & Cus Man Carnaval Dan Victoria – Telsy
I Love Coco – Ot Genasis Roula – Mercenary Ayo – Chris Brown ft Tyga Oulie Ou Pale – Xtra Big ft Charlie Shekini – P Square
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI
63
64
MAY 2015 | POTPOURRI