Public Affairs Programs

2007

On this page you can view the various programs and events sponsored or organized by the U.S. Embassy throughout last year.

A sailor from the USS Porter, playing Santa Claus, gives out candy to the children at St. Elizabeth Orphanage in Mahe.

The USS Porter Makes a Port Call in Seychelles
December 18 - 21, 2007

During its routine port call in Victoria from December 18-21, 2007, sailors from the USS Porter participated in various events, including charity work at the St. Elizabeth Orphanage and a clean-up operation at the Wetlands Nature sanctuary at Roche-Caiman. The sailors also faced off with Seychellois teams in friendly basketball and soccer games.

At the St. Elizabeth Orphanage on December 19, a group of sailors from the USS Porter painted the front of the building and also spent time playing with the children.

Sailors from the USS Porter Participate in Community Relations and Sports Events
December 18 - 21, 2007

Sailors from the USS Porter cleaning the grounds at the Wetlands Nature sanctuary in Roche-Caiman, on December 18, while others did some light painting on the signage close to the roadside.

 

Souvenir picture of the Seychellois PLS Hawks and the USS Porter basketball teams after they faced off a friendly match on December 19, 2007 at Victoria Gymnasium.		The  USS Porter soccer team, which included female players, v/s the Seychelles Police Defense Force (SPDF) in a friendly game on December 20, 2007 at Roche-Caiman Stadium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Representative from CJTF-HOA  discusses renovations and upgrades with Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Seychelles Minister of Health, after the  dedication ceremony on November 13.

Dedication Ceremony for Completion of Renovation of Center for Disabled Youth by Combined Joined Task Force, Djibouti
November 13, 2007

Representatives from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and Seychellois leaders put the finishing touches on a rehabilitation center for children with disabilities by holding a dedication ceremony for the completed renovation project on the Island of Mahe, Seychelles, on November 13, 2007.

The dedication celebrated more than fifteen major upgrades made to a sewing center, which serves the entire nation of Seychelles and currently provides services to nearly two hundred children with disabilities. The project teamed CJTF-HOA, the U.S. Embassy, Port Louis, Seychelles Ministry of Health and Social Development, and Allied Builders for approximately three months. Renovations to the center included repairs and upgrades such as improved lighting, enhanced plumbing fixtures, restoration of restrooms, sidewalks and classrooms, and construction of a ramp for wheelchair access.

U.S. Government Construction Project in Coordination with the Department of Defense on the Island of La Digue
September 27, 2007

The Government of the United States through the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and the Government of the Seychelles has collaborated on several civic action projects on the islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.  The projects highlight the strong partnership that exists between the people of the United States and the Seychelles, and is part of the ongoing U.S. commitment to assist Seychellois and improve infrastructure in the Seychelles.  To continue the cooperation with the Government of the Seychelles and the Seychellois people, CJTF-HOA has, with the Ministry of Health, completed its first project on the island of La Digue.  The project, which began on June 4th 2007, and was completed on September 25th, 2007 was the construction of a protective sea wall at the site of the Logan Hospital.  Logan Hospital is the sole source of medical care on the island of La Digue.  It serves the approximately 5000 residents of La Digue and residents of small, neighboring islands.  CJTF-HOA contracted Allied Builders – Seychelles to build the sea wall.  The project was completed in less than 4 months, and there was no adverse impact to the availability of patient care at the hospital.

The USS Stout Pays a Port Call to Victoria
October 1, 2007

The USS Stout paid a port call in Victoria the week of October 1.

Children from the Mahe Rehabilitation Center toured the USS Stout.

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Ambassador Cabrera, Vice-Admiral Bedet and Rear Admiral Mahon of NATO Maritime Group 1 pay a courtesy call to Seychelles President Michel.

NATO Ships Visit Port Victoria
September 14 - 18, 2007

A delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis led by Ambassador Cesar Cabrera was in Seychelles from September 14 to 17 for the visit of a Force of NATO ships. 

The six ships that currently comprise the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), one of NATO’s four standing maritime forces, called on Seychelles on Friday, September 14, where they were joined by the USS Bainbridge which was taken over as flagship from the USS Normandy for the rest of SNMG1's African deployment. 

On Friday, September 14, Vice-Admiral Pim S. Bedet, Maritime Component Headquarters, Northwood, and Rear Admiral Mahon, Commander SNMG1, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Cesar Cabrera and officers from the Embassy, paid a courtesy call on President Michel. Vice Admiral Bedet and Rear Admiral Mahon hosted a press conference onboard the USS Bainbridge on the same day. A reception was hosted by Rear Admiral M. Mahon onboard the HMCS Toronto on Friday night.  Guests included U.S. Ambassador Cabrera, officers from the CJTF-HOA, Seychelles government officials, diplomatic corps, chief editors and representatives from the business community.  Crewmembers from the NATO ships conducted a community relation project at the Health Center at Anse Boileau, and participated in a friendly soccer match with Seychellois during their visit.

Terrance Simien & his Zydeco Experience ensemble during a jamming session with a Seychellois violonist at the concert held at Anse Boileau Community Center on August 12.

U.S. Embassy Organizes Cultural Event in Seychelles
Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience from Lafayette, Louisiana
August 10 - 12, 2007

The U.S. Embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture organized an educational workshop and public concerts with Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience.  This international group from Lafayette, Louisiana held an educational workshop for Seychellois students and public concerts from August 10 through August 12, 2007.  Prior to their tour in Seychelles, the group conducted programs in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Professor McCabe handing over certificate to a participant at the closing of the workshop.  (Photo: Courtesy of Seychelles Nation).

U.S. Department of State Speaker Professor Laurence McCabe Talks on Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism
June 20 - 22, 2007

The U.S. Embassy, in collaboration with the Seychelles Ports Authority, organized a two-day workshop, under the U.S. Department of State’s Speaker Program, with Professor Laurence McCabe, from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.  The workshop was held at the Seychelles Ports Authority conference room.  Fifty participants from law enforcement agencies including the Seychelles Coast Guard, Police Department, and representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries, the Seychelles Ports Authority and shipping companies participated in the workshop.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new sea wall.  (Photo: Courtesy of Seychelles Nation)

Groundbreaking Ceremony for a Construction Project by the Government of the United States of America on the Island of La Digue 
June 4, 2007

The U.S. Embassy in Port Louis and the Government of the Seychelles organized a groundbreaking ceremony to construct a sea wall project at the site of Logan Hospital on the island of La Digue on June 4, 2007. 

The project is funded and coordinated by the U.S. Government through the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).  The project is scheduled to take three or four months and there will be no adverse impact to the availability of the hospital for patient care. 

Officials from the Government of Seychelles and representatives from CJTF-HOA were present at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Group picture of participants at the closing of the workshop with facilitator Seth Cohen (standing at the back) and U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Victoria DeLong (sitting second row far left).

U.S. Department of State Speaker Program - Visit of Mr. Seth Cohen to Seychelles
April 2 - 5, 2007

Mr. Seth Cohen, an expert in mediation and intercultural communication, visited Seychelles April 2 through April 7, 2007 under the U.S. Department of State Speaker Program. 

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius organized a three-day workshop in cooperation with the Liaison Unit for Non-governmental Organizations (LUNGOS) on the theme: “Conflict Resolution and Consensus Building.”  The workshop, which was held at the International Conference Center, focused on the development of civil society in Seychelles.  Fifty representatives from various NGOs, dedicated to the environment, agriculture, health, education and cultural issues, participated in the program.

Participants listening attentively to the trainer.  (Photo: Courtesy of Seychelles Nation).

Training Program by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Technical Assistance
March 12 - 16, 2007

The U.S. Treasury Office of Technical Assistance (OTA),  in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, launched a week-long training program on Financial Investigative Techniques.  A group of fifty police officers and officials from the taxation division, Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA), the Attorney’s General Office and the Non-Bank Financial Supervisory Authority participated in the program.

The DTO Regional Advisor, Jerry Rowe, read opening remarks on behalf of U.S. Ambassador Cesar Cabrera.  The Ambassador said that the training is meant to further educate public and private stakeholders on their responsibilities under the Seychelles Anti-Money Laundering Act 2006.  This program will strengthen Seychelles’ capacity to prevent, identify, and investigate financial crimes, including money-laundering.

Deputy Chief of Mission Stephen Schwartz presenting the VPP Seychelles website. (Photo: Courtesy of Seychelles Nation)

U.S. Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission, Stephen Schwartz, Speaks with Seychelles Nation on the Launch of the Embassy's Virtual Presence Post (VPP) Seychelles Internet Website
February 9, 2007

The daily Seychelles Nation conducted an interview with the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Stephen Schwartz, on the launching of the Embassy’s VPP Seychelles website. 

Deputy Chief of Mission Schwartz told Nation that VPPs are “virtual” only because they do not involve physical facilities, noting that the Seychelles VPP is the first country in the African region to enjoy the facility, and that there are 38 VPPs worldwide as of now.  He called the VPP an interesting tool for the Seychellois to be in contact with the U.S. Embassy and said it will help promote Seychelles with the American public.  He told Nation that the website is hosted at the Department of State, Washington, D.C. and maintained by the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section in Mauritius.

U.S. Ambassador Cesar Cabrera delivering remarks at the dedication ceremony with U.S. Navy Seabees standing in the background.

Dedication Ceremony for Completion of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Projects, Praslin
January 31, 2007

The U.S. Embassy in Port Louis and the United States Navy Seabees from the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) organized a dedication ceremony, at Baie St. Anne Hospital, for two construction projects on Praslin Island completed by a team of the U.S. Navy Seabees from the CJTF-HOA projects in collaboration with the Government of Seychelles and the Seychellois people.  The U.S. Ambassador, Cesar Cabrera, the Seychelles Minister of Health, MacSuzy Mondon, officials from the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and CJTF-HOA representatives were present at the ceremony. 

The mortuary at Baie St. Anne Hospital was demolished and a new, larger and more efficient facility has been built in its place, improving the response capability and preparedness for disasters or tragedies.  Anse La Blague Clinic was completely refurbished and modernized.  A new roof, floor and electrical wiring were installed increasing availability of medical care to the residents of Anse La Blague and Baie St Anne.