“Volunteerism has changed my perspective and vision of the society,” says Best Volunteer, Rosie Morel
Rosie Morel, a remarkable individual who has dedicated her life to volunteerism, was recently awarded the Best volunteer Award for 2024 at the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (CEPS) fourth Volunteers Award ceremony at the Eden Bleu Hotel.
Mrs Morel, whose journey in volunteerism began more than 35 years ago, is a well known member of the Cancer Concern Association and is now the civil society ambassador for the year 2025.
She shares her fascinating story with Seychelles NATION.
Seychelles NATION: Can you tell our readers a bit about you?
Rosie Morel: I was born on September 4, 1954. I’m the oldest out of six children and I’ve been a nurse for over 40 years.
Seychelles NATION: How did you feel after receiving the Best Volunteer
2024 award?
Rosie Morel: I didn’t expect to be recognised. As human being, it is good to get a little pat on your back every now and then and know you have done well. It boosts your morale and it encourages you to do better. I will definitely continue to volunteer as long as my health allows it.
Seychelles NATION: For how many years have you been a volunteer and what are the different associations you have worked with?
Rosie Morel: I have been doing voluntary work for the past 35 years and this involves community and associations such as Red Cross Society of Seychelles, Special Olympics Seychelles and groups focusing on autism and Alzheimer. I have also done some work with ‘Paster Lannwit’ and sat on the anti-drugs
committee. Moreover, for the past 20 years I’ve been a member of the Cancer Concern Association and for the past two years I’ve been on the executive committee.
Seychelles NATION: What do you do at Cancer Concern?
Rosie Morel: I provide counselling, mainly health education on cancer prevention. I also visit cancer patients atthe hospice, where I talk to them, assist in any way I canand help out the nurses. I also do community engagement.
Seychelles NATION: How has volunteerism shape your life?
Rosie Morel: As a citizen, volunteerism has changed my perspective and vision of the society. I saw the need to help out more in the society. It has helped immensely with my personal growth. I have gained a lot of knowledge and done many training with several associations, such as how to attend to patients suffering from Alzheimer and how to improve my communicationand leadership skills through a training organised by ‘Paster Lannwit’.
Seychelles NATION: Do you think that volunteers are truly recognised in Seychelles?
Rosie Morel: Unfortunately, volunteers are not recognised enough. Luckily things changed ten years ago with the inception of Ceps, which invigorated volunteerism and gave it its due recognition.
We have to acknowledge that a lot of things have been done in the country as a result of volunteerism. It also reduces government spending, as having volunteers cuts down on labour cost.
Seychelles NATION: What is your biggest accomplishment as a volunteer?
Rosie Morel: It is the satisfaction of being able to say that you have helped someone, seeing someone overcome their difficult time because you were there for them, for example in times of grief following the passing of a loved one.
Seychelles NATION: Now that you have been named the civil society ambassador for 2025, what are your plans?
Rosie Morel: This year, I will continue to focus on the work of Cancer Concern Association, especially at the hospice, which needs extra support. Being diagnosed with cancer can take a toll on a person’s mental health but unfortunately sometimes our focus as a society is elsewhere.
I will also focus on children; empower them, uplift their spirit and engage with school children at secondary level to spread the words of volunteerism.
With regard to my role as the civil society ambassador, I will be meeting with the chief executive, Alvin Laurence, next week to discuss the way forward. My goal is to help Ceps in any way I can.
Seychelles NATION: Any advice or message to anyone who wants to become a volunteer?
Rosie Morel: My message to the youth is to become a volunteer as it will help with your self-development; be it education-wise or to cope with the society. It makes you feel as if you are contributing a lot even though you are not getting paid. I commend workplaces that encourage volunteerism and more should follow that path. It is every person’s role as a citizen to help in society.
Courtesy: Nation.sc
