The First Lady, Mrs Veronique Herminie, today launched “Boys Connect”, a three-day national initiative harnessing digital technology and community partnership to strengthen the education, resilience and character of Seychelles’ young men.
The official opening of the programme took place this morning at the NSC Hall, in the presence of Vice President Sebastian Pillay, Minister for Youth and Sports Ms Kalsey Belle, Minister for Social Affairs, Family and Equality Mrs Pamela Charlette, Secretary of State for NISTI Mr Xavier Estico, members of the Diplomatic Corps, principal secretaries, and representatives of the many organisations supporting the programme.
Addressing the gathering, the First Lady said the initiative responds directly to concerning trends affecting Seychellois boys, including academic underperformance, mental health difficulties, and heightened vulnerability to substance abuse and social pressures.
“True empowerment requires positive energy, teamwork, and common purpose,” she said, describing Boys Connect as a demonstration of what the nation can achieve when government, private enterprise and civil society unite behind a shared goal.
Forty-five boys aged 13 to 15, drawn from public secondary schools across Seychelles, will take part in the three-day camp, engaging with sessions on online safety, artificial intelligence, GIS mapping and drone technology, cybersecurity, and positive masculinity. The programme is delivered by 16 facilitators and 10 teachers from across the public and private sectors, reflecting a whole-of-nation commitment to youth development.
Minister for Youth and Sports Ms Kalsey Belle delivered the motivational address, urging the boys to embrace vulnerability as a form of strength. She reminded participants that asking for help is not a weakness but often the smartest and strongest decision a young man can make.
The success of Boys Connect rests on an extensive coalition of partners, including the Ministry of Education, the Egyptian Agency for Partnership Development, the National Council for Children, NISTI, StarLink, Deepam Cinema, DICT, AMSA, Seybrew, the Seychelles Fire Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Nature Seychelles, the Ministry of Health, and the Unique Foundation, among others. The First Lady expressed her profound gratitude to all partners, describing the initiative as “a masterpiece in connections and collaboration”.
Boys Connect further advances Seychelles’ participation in the global “Fostering the Future Together” coalition, in partnership with the United States Embassy. The Office of the First Lady will build on this momentum with the launch of the “Welcome to Puberty” programme for girls at English River School on 10th September, alongside continued advocacy for young women through the WOSITA Foundation and the “14–18 Girl Ambassadors” STEM initiative.
The First Lady conveyed her sincere appreciation to President Dr Patrick Herminie for his unwavering support, and expressed her hope that Boys Connect will become an annual fixture on the national calendar, sustained by continued partnership and collective national commitment.
Following the official launch, and prior to their first session on online safety, the boys had an audience with Vice President Sebastian Pillay, who interacted with them personally and offered words of encouragement as they began their three-day journey.
Boys Connect stands as a powerful example of what every sector of the nation, government, private enterprise and civil society, can achieve when united by a shared purpose, demonstrating the strength of collaboration at every level.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
