Flavie Jackson, Board Chairperson on the Seychelles
BS [photo: UBS/Krijn van der Jagt WR413/10 SEY06DJ-5]
SEYCHELLES – The Republic of Seychelles is famed for its wide white beaches, tourist resorts and natural beauty. Situated in the Indian Ocean, 1,600km (1,000 miles) from Kenya’s east coast, it is unique among African countries. Its tiny population of nearly 82,000 people enjoy relative political and economic stability, and are supported by a robust social welfare system.
Although the 115 islands which make up the Seychelles were uninhabited until about the 17th century, they have a colourful history, chequered with stories of pirates and Arab and Portuguese traders. It also, unhappily, became a transit point for slave ships taking their human cargo from Africa to other parts of the world.
Margaret Maillet, Executive Secretary of the
Seychelles BS [photo: UBS/Krijn van der Jagt
WR413/10 SEY06DJ-2]
Diversity
Today, the country’s past is reflected in the diversity of its people, who come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, including French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab. French and English are the official languages, together with a Frenchbased Kreol called Seselwa. Most people here are Christians – 82 per cent Roman Catholic and about 14 per cent Protestant. Working to serve the churches’ Scripture needs is a small Bible Society team of two – Executive Secretary Margaret Maillet and bookshop attendant Mary-May Jacques. It also has an energetic board, headed by the indefatigable Flavie Jackson, who has been working for years to develop the work of the Society amid various challenges. Bible work in Seychelles was overseen by the Bible Society of Mauritius until 2004, when the Seychelles Bible Society was granted UBS Office status.
Work continues
The main core of the Society’s work in recent years has been the translation of the Scriptures into Kreol Seselwa. The New Testament was published in 2000 and work continues on the Old Testament. The Society is also involved in working closely with churches of all denominations to promote and distribute the Bible. The stories below provide a glimpse into some of these activities and the impact they are having on people’s lives.
(WR 413/10 - 07.07) [7 photos]