Similarly to Praslin, volunteers from La Digue were able to successfully establish a committee that would assist in organizing and implementing the National Society’s programs and activities on the island. This forms part of a series of volunteer recruitment initiatives supported by the Japanese Red Cross which has been carried out since October of last year.
The committee was achieved during a meeting that the RCSS hosted at the La Digue District Administration on Thursday, September 26, 2024, whilst on a two-day visit on the island from Wednesday, September 25, 2024, to Friday, September 27, 2024.
The meeting brought together fourteen (14) participants including current volunteers and those looking to join the National Society and gave the volunteers and the RCSS a chance to discuss achieving the goals, enhancing teamwork, talking about any challenges they may have faced during the past, and choosing the best course of action moving forward.
Following the initial voting by the participants, Mr. Alex Jacob was elected to be the chairperson, Ms. Nadia Barra – who previously oversaw the activities on La Digue was voted as vice chairperson, Ms. Elaine Franchette the treasurer, and Ms. Evelyn Rose the secretary. The voting was done anonymously, and the nominated candidates will later on be joined by four other ordinary members who will assist them.
After the voting was completed, the RCSS took the opportunity to donate a few items to the La Digue Fishing Association. The handover, which was done by Ms Nadia Barra and a representative from the association included life jackets and flippers. Furthermore, presentations of flyers and posters was done between the RCSS Communication and Resource Mobilisation Coordinator Ms. Bettina Azemia along with Mr. Jacob and the La Digue District Administrator Mrs. Barallon in order to assist with the advocacy and promotion of RCSS services and programs such as first aid trainings, blood donation, to name a few.
The team made the most of the opportunity to educate the La Digue community about the RCSS, its services and goods, programs, and volunteer opportunities. By raising knowledge of the Red Cross Movement and the work that the RCSS does, the objective is to foster more understanding and positive ties between the La Digue community and the RCSS headquarters.
Following the visit, the RCSS would be continuing with the refurbishment of the La Digue office as well as look to hiring a part time person to manage the offices on Praslin and La Digue. This will greatly facilitate both committees in the implementation of programs and services and in the long run help to revive some of the initial initiatives that were taking place before on Praslin and La Digue.
