The President of the Republic, Mr Danny Faure, welcomed young aspiring seafarer, Mr Eddy Barbe, along with his mentor and owner of Praslin based Cat Rose Inter Island Ferry Pty Ltd, Mr William Rose, at State House yesterday morning.

Eddy, aged 18, is the youngest employee at Cat Rose Inter Island Ferry Pty Ltd, where for the past five years he has been working as a junior trainee learning through on the job experience. The President first met Eddy in one of his trips commuting from Praslin to La Digue and was impressed by the discipline and determination displayed by the young Praslinois. The meeting was an opportunity for Eddy to share his story with President Faure and his future career aspirations.  The President commended him for being a role model of young people of his age and as an exemplary budding seafarer.

“Today I would like to formally commend you for your hard work and for remaining focused on what you want for yourself. There are a lot of negative influences surrounding our youths but you have chosen a different path for yourself from early on, and for that I would like to say that I am proud of you. Keep up the good work and continue making your parents, your island, and your country proud,” said President Faure.

The President also congratulated Mr Rose on taking the initiative to train and support young people, in addition to delivering a service to the public. He thanked Mr Rose for taking the time to teach and mentor future generations, thereby securing the future of Seychelles.

Speaking to the press after his meeting with the President, Eddy said he was honoured to have met the President and this it was a great encouragement for him to work even harder and become a qualified seafarer. Eddy has been working as an intern during weekends and school holidays at the Inter Island Ferry for the past 5 years since he was in S2. He said that his love of the sea encouraged him to start learning about the profession early.

On his part, Mr Rose urged other businesses in Seychelles to play a more active role in moulding and supporting the future generations and to work in partnership with the community, schools and parents.

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