Potpourri Magazine, Seychelles

Be mart with Money

Achieving your financial goals with a spending plan

Take control of your finances with a spending plan, says Philippa De Charmoy Lablache

Being smart with money is not the same as being a miser and chasing every last cent. It is being in control of your finances and spending your hard earned money wisely.

Whether it’s that lovely pair of heels in the shop window, that advert for the latest model smartphone or the alluring smell of food from the nearby restaurant; temptations to spend, spend, spend and spend some more are everywhere. It is therefore, little wonder why so many people have trouble controlling their spending and end with little or no savings, or worse, depending on credit.

In this first Be Smart with Money column we are going to look at the spending plan, also known as the budget, and how it can help you to achieve your financial goals. Making a budget it fairly easy: you list your incomes, then you list your expenses and then you calculate how much

is left. Then you file it away in a drawer and forget about it. Right? No. Drawing up the budget is only the first step; most importantly you have to keep track of your spending and stick to the plan. It’s a bit like going on a diet: the first steps are the hardest and similarly, most people give up before they start because they underestimate their own ability to achieve their goals.

While most of us don’t explicitly state what our financial goals are, at the back of our mind we have an idea of the things we want in the long term: to have our own house, maybe to own a car, to send our children to university, to travel around the world or to save enough to live comfortably during retirement. Envisioning your financial goals – creating a picture in your mind of that thing that you really want to achieve – will help to keep you focused and committed to your plan.

Are you ready to take control of your finances? Let’s take a pencil and a sheet of paper. First, take a few minutes to think about your financial goals and then write them down. Think a little bit more and then rank these goals according to importance and urgency. For example, you may

Court crossing with Klaus Pragassen

The multi-talented footballer, tennis player and squash champion chats to Hanifa Francois about sports, life and everything in between

I must admit that before this article, I was not that au fait with squash as a sport. Probing some of my friends, it appeared neither were they. The opportunity to meet and interview last year’s best squash player of the year, Mr. Klaus Pragassen, meant I had to brush up on my knowledge.

“His

comeback was encouraged by the constant support from the current players and chairman of the squash association. Despite the fact that he joined during the mid-season, it didn’t affect his performance as Klaus was awarded the Best Player Award for 2014, something that was very unexpected, and which also goes to show how much talent he has as a squash player.”

A basic description of squash, according to Wikipedia. com, descries the following: “Squash is a racquet sport played by two (singles) or four players (doubles) in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. The players must alternate striking the ball with their racquet and hitting the ball against the playable surfaces of the four walls of the court. The game was formerly called squash racquets, a reference to the “squashable” soft ball used in the game (compared with the harder ball used in its parent game racquets)” .

Sounds like fun to me. Yet this racquet sport gets little to no recognition in Seychelles, possibly owing to the fact that it isn’t as publicised as sports like football, tennis, swimming, athletics and the like.

But this didn’t stop Klaus from aspiring to be a professional squash player, from the age of 19, when he was a key asset to the sport. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, he had to put his life as a squash player on hold to focus on other aspects, such as being a dedicated football player. But like any other passion, it haunts you, calls you out and demands to be regaled. This is what pulled him back eight years after his departure, to make a comeback in the mid-season of 2014.

His comeback was encouraged by the constant support from the current players and chairman of the squash association. Despite the fact that he joined during the mid-season, it didn’t afect his performance as Klaus was awarded the Best Player Award for 2014, something that was very unexpected, and which also goes to show how much talent he has as a squash player.

So what got him interested in squash in the frst place? He tells me that he was a tennis player at frst and got introduced to squash by American Squash player John Daniels, who one day took him to the court and showed him what it was about. It defnitely tickled his fancy as he decided then and there to migrate from tennis to squash.

During his career as a squash player, Klaus has earned multiple wins during the Seychelles Open squash tournament and has had the chance to participate in the Mauritius Open tournament, where the players’ skill levels are more competitive than those of Seychelles. This didn’t pose a threat to Klaus as when he made his big come back, he was more than prepared and found that he is a better player than before. With the aid of research done via Internet and constant practice, putting what he learnt to use on the court, Klaus is all about leveling up his game play in the hopes that the Seychelles Squash team gets the chance to participate in inter island competitions with countries such as Mauritius and Reunion.

This all makes Klaus out to sound like someone who obsesses over squash – and while he does love what he does, his life is multi-dimensional. If you’ve been to Nouvobanq or happened to pass through Bel Air district, you’ve probably noticed the guy who’s always smiling from cheek to cheek. He seriously does love to smile and it’s quite hard to not do the same while in his presence as you can clearly see that he is a happy man, leading a happy life and being the introvert that he is, his charming smile is his way of expressing it.

Other than juggling his career at Nouvobanq alongside being a sportsman, he is also father to a fve year old son, Micah, who happens to be quite the aspiring sportsman at such a young age! The little charmer plays golf with his grandfather, football and squash with daddy and also got selected to be on the athletics team for his school. Talk about putting all that childhood energy to good use! He defnitely makes his parents proud and it comes as no surprise that Klaus wishes his son stays on that track and follows in his footsteps. Klaus hopes to someday be a squash coach when he fully retires from the competitive game; Micah might be lucky enough to have one of the greats, in addition to being his dad, as his coach.

Given his introverted, low-key personality, it isn’t surprising that Klaus pointed out how he prefers squash to any other sport as he feels more at ease in his space and revels in the minimal risk of injury while playing, compared with his previous football career, where he played for teams like Bel-Ombre, Cable & Wireless, Northern Dynamo, St Louis and Victoria City. When he’s not busy with sport and work, he prefers to spend his time with his son and his girlfriend, relaxing at home rather than being out and about.

When I asked him if he had any parting words, he said “I feel that the youth of today have too many distractions and not the good kind, they lack discipline and fail to see the positive aspect of sports. They rather go towards things that will only make their lives complicated!”

For those of you inspired by him and with a desire to learn more about squash or maybe even join the Seychelles Squash Association, you can watch matches that are held every two months at the Mont Fleuri Squash Court, a detailed itinerary and further information can be obtained from NSC.

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

A truly great book, film or section of music, all have something in common – they will effortlessly transport you through myriad different and powerful emotions. One minute you’ll be laughing out loud, the next you’ll be desperately holding back a sob. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts is a particularly wonderful example of this phenomenon. It’s about a convicted armed robber who escapes from his native Australia to India where he immerses himself in their unique, rich culture. As an expat living in a distant land I can identify with so many elements of this incredible book. Awesome.

~

by Daniel Balkwill

About seven years ago a book was recommended to me by a friend. The book would go on to help mold my view on life and how I should live it. A lover of quotes of any sort I was in for a treat. Being someone who was never satisfied with the normal and politically correct world view, Shantaram would offer me a different perspective on so many questions that I had as yet been unable to answer.

Shantaram, which is based on the true story of Gregory David Roberts, introduces an Australian character named Lindsay (Lin), a heroin addict sentenced to a long, harsh prison term after his personal life spirals out of control; he escapes and makes his way to Bombay (Mumbai).

One of the major strengths of this book is the numerous characters who cross Lin’s path through his journey. We are introduced to Karla, a mysterious woman that Lin falls in love with, Prabaker, a tour guide who will become Lin’s first friend and his connection to the Indian culture; Khaderbai, Bombay Mafia Don who will shape your view on religion and morality, French bad boy Didier, who “spoke a lavishly accented English… to provoke and criticize friend and stranger alike with an indolent malignity” and many more. Characters and people change, develop, and mature due to different circumstances, which makes the book more realistic.

I am a firm believer that fate gives you what you need when you need it. Shantaram came at just the right period in my life. This book definitely had

“I am a firm believer that fate gives you what you need when you need it. Shantaram came at just the right period in my life. This book definitely had a major effect on me; the smart and intellectual conversations between “Lin” and “Khader Khan” came to me at precisely the right time when I was having all of these existential questions roaming in my head.”

a major effect on me; the smart and intellectual conversations between Lin and Khader Khan came to me at precisely the right time when I had all of these existential questions roaming in my head. I am a Cosmic Humanist because of it (might be two words worth Googling). These conversations inspired me and enlightened me in some way. Lin’s story in general was inspiring in different ways, his love for the people around him and his kindness will leave you rethinking your life and your attitude towards people. Love and gratitude is all that you’ll be thinking about while flipping the pages of this book. In many ways you can say that this book acts as a reference point for my beliefs, my own personal little bible.

“It’s forgiveness that makes us what we are. Without forgiveness, our species would’ve annihilated itself in endless retributions. Without forgiveness, there would be no history. Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work of art is in some way an act of forgiveness. Without that dream, there would be no love, for every act of love is in some way a promise to forgive. We live on because we can love, and we love because we can forgive.”

~ Mervyn Vel

Eat.

By

Elizabeth Gilbert Cliché,

I know, but this book really spoke to me. As someone who had a set idea of how my life would turn out – yet had various fantasies of how it in fact could be (i.e. out of the ordinary) – this book confirmed that there isn’t a set way to live life. It also shows that every thing happens for a reason and that no matter how bad life may seem at some point – things always get better and there is always light at the end of the tunnel. If you want to quit your job and travel the world, do it.

My life is completely different now from how it was a year ago – I have quit my job, moved countries, been thrown out of my comfort zone and I grapple with my decision every day. But no risk, no reward. This book may not have changed my life in every sense of the words, but it certainly validated where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. It’s a book everyone should read, or at least, watch the movie – Julia Roberts portrays the main character perfectly.

~ Lynette Botha

Princess: A true story of life behind the veil in Saudi Arabia by Jean P. Sasson

This book was the first that I read from Jean P. Sasson and its contents have remained with me since. I read Princess when I was in secondary school; the story of a real life Saudi Princess, Princess Sultana Al Saud. It is not a fairytale. It is not a romance. It strips away all delusions that I may have had about the ‘Disney style’ life of a ‘princess’. For me, this book affirmed that Seychelles is definitely one of the best places on Earth for a female child to be born. Growing up, the fact that I am of the female sex was never an issue and never a deciding element for anything I ever wanted to do. No one ever said “but you are a girl” or highlighted the fact that I am a woman. Maya Angelou says that people will never forget how you made them feel, I say that I will never forget how books make me feel. Princess shocked me and made me sad and angry but also happy and grateful.

~ Azarel Ernesta

Pray. Love.

Start with Why by Simon Sinek. This book changed my way of thinking, acting and communicating. It doesn’t matter what you do, it matters Why you do it. when we get caught up in the details of HOW and WHAT we are working on, it is very easy to forget WHY we are doing it. If you are an employee, an employer or an entrepreneur, you must read this book. The author weaves together a clear vision of what it truly takes to lead and inspire. Often times people in management positions tends to forget that the role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas but to create an environment in which great ideas can happen.

~

Aishah Bristol

Think and Grow Rich

by Napoleon Hill

“Thoughts are things”, somebody once told me. As I read the book, it confirmed that. This book made me realise that I had so much more in me than where I was in my life (at the time that I read it). As an entrepreneur and businessman, this book gave me the tools I needed to gain courage and to dig deep into my soul. It made me “dare to be great”. And it is still a book I read every year, in January, for motivation and encouragement. It’s a book that you can read 50 times and learn something new every time. Being a Kyokushin Karate fighter too, the book actually helped me gain the confidence to go to Las Vegas in 2009 to fight for the World International Championships of the AKKO (American Kyokushin Karate Organization) where I ended up second.

~ Michel Laporte Godorn

Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder

This book made me fall in love with philosophy. It’s one of those thoughtprovoking, mind-bending books you come across rarely as a 14 year old! It made me change the way I saw the world. It was a turning point in my way of thinking and perception of things. It complete changed my outlook on life. Sophie’s World is a great introduction to western philosophical thoughts for both kids and adults. It’s easy to read and Sophie the protagonist and her mysterious philosophy teacher will make you imagine a different world. Sophie’s World will spur you on to discover greater and better things, I promise!

~ Karen Pragassen

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

A landmark novel of high modernism, the text, centering on the Ramsay family and their visits to the Isle of Skye in Scotland between 1910 and 1920, skillfully manipulates temporality and psychological exploration. The novel includes little dialogue and almost no action; most of it is written as thoughts and observations. It recalls the power of childhood emotions and highlights the impermanence of adult relationships. Among the book’s many tropes and themes are those of loss, subjectivity, and the problem of perception, all things I can relate to.

~ Tina Houareau

Changes: A Love Story

By Ama Ata Aidoo

I’m not sure that any book has ever truly changed my life in the sense of dramatically altering its course, but I can think of one that determined it, and that’s Changes: A love story by Ama Ata Aidoo, a Ghanaian writer. I started reading the book out of necessity for my course degree, but grew to love it. I never knew I could read a novel so fast until I picked up this one. It is one of the first novels that triggered in me, an intense appreciation for African literature. It was from Aidoo’s novel that I learned that literature had a sound, that language mattered more than story, that rhythm haunted the imagination, and that love, desire, grief and loneliness interested me more than any other subject. It encompasses how the lives of professional working women have changed sharply, even if the cultural assumptions of men’s lives have not. Aidoo writes with intense power while shedding light on women’s problems around the globe, which is an issue that concerns me. Reading this novel made me realise that I have to live according to my heart’s desires despite my cultural and spiritual circumstances. This novel is just so interesting that I imagine it would do great as a movie. I highly recommend it.

~ Elaine LaFortune

Adultery by Paulo Coelho

It’s a life lesson book that highlights that we as humans are never satisfied with what we have. Nothing is ever enough; we complain about routine and life in general no matter how good we have it. We betray the ones we love with our selfishness. Every thing seems fine until we’re about to lose those that are precious to us. It confirms that you never know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I highly recommend it.

~ Aruna Latulipe

Some of our lovely former brides share with us how they went about picking that perfect dress for their big day.

AMANDA

LISA

LYN

RANNIA

Name: Rannia de Comarmond

Wedding Date: 6th December 2014

Isabelle Adrienne

Wedding Date: 25th October 2014

Isabelle says, “We went on a short family holiday in Dubai and had made a few appointments with bridal shops. I came upon this dress at the last place on the list. I had wanted something quite light which would be comfortable enough to wear all night. I was very lucky that it only needed a minor alteration so I bought it on the spot and picked it up a day later. What I really loved about the dress was the embelished cap sleeves.”

Rannia says, “I always used to say to myself if one day I ever get married it would definitely be in a mermaid or trumpet style dress. So when the man of my dreams finally proposed, I just went online to search for my ideal dress. I bought it on a Canadian website and the cost amounted to over Rs7000, but it was worth it.

I chose this style of dress simply because of the way it hugged my body and gave me a perfect silhouette and the bonus of giving me some curves, since my body frame is more on the skinny side. The mermaid style also went well with my wedding theme, which was a sea theme.”

Name: Lyn Piracha neé Camille

Wedding date: 2nd August 2008

Lyn says, “Three months before the wedding I still didn’t have a dress. Panic started to set in and I went out on a mission to find the perfect dress for me. I knew that I wanted a strapless, long, ivory dress. The first bridal shop I walked into that day I told the bridal assistant what I was after and she said that she had the perfect dress for me. She brought out a Peter Trends dress (Australian bridal designer) and I absolutely fell in love with it. It was way over my budget but I had to have this dress. I loved the fitted bodice and strapless sweetheart cut.”

Name: Joyce Laljee

Wedding date: 8th August 2008

Joyce says, “My wedding dress was a gift from my sister, Lyn Marie. It was made in Seychelles by Mrs Rose-Helen Samy, at EEMA Collection. I wanted a simple dress which perfectly portrayed my personality.”

Name: Amanda Bernstein, formerly Hunt

Wedding Date: 10th August 2013

Amanda says, “We had planned to get married five months after we got engaged which did not leave a lot of time for a holiday abroad to look for the perfect dress. I spent ages looking online but I found that it was difficult to gauge the fit of a dress online, and most importantly, difficult to gauge the quality of the fabric and general make-up of the dress. Everything looks amazing in photos but I was worried that the dresses within my budget would be made of cheap fabrics and not look as

good in reality so I decided to have my dress designed and made by Kankan. Karine Dupouy is a good friend and she had designed evening dresses for me in the past when I hosted Miss Seychelles and she made me look and feel fabulous so I trusted her to make something equally nice for my big day, plus how many people can claim to have a bespoke wedding dress? Since we were having an outdoor garden party style wedding, I had originally wanted a simple knee length cocktail dress but she convinced me that I shouldn’t be afraid to go more traditional and bride-like and won me over with some sketches. We talked through what would work for my body type and what features I wanted to accentuate and it evolved from there. I wasn’t at my ideal bodyweight so it needed to fit right to make me feel good. Our wedding theme was something like a Midsummer Night’s Dream so I wanted something ethereal that would glow and flutter amongst the candle light while not looking out of place in a garden. Karine went for some soft fabrics, gorgeous lace, with real pearls flecked everywhere and even small sequins which I had originally balked at but ended up looking lovely and understated. It had a lot of movement without being too big and I felt wonderful in it.”

Name: Lisa Annette (Pool) Payet

Wedding date: 25th June 2005

Lisa says, “Growing up it was always a fantasy to get married in June. We were on holiday with some friends and we combined it with the ‘Wedding Shopping’. Originally, we had planned to shop in Thailand but because it was our first visit and a short one it turned out to be a bad idea. Fortunately, we had five days left in Singapore and managed to find my dress therewith the help of my friends! After dozens of shops I must admit I was ready to give up. But then, as luck would have it, I found THE DRESS and I knew it was the one! I wanted a two-piece; a bodice and a flattering skirt. It was simple but elegant and I loved the sequin on the bodice. The skirt was plain but that’s exactly what I wanted! “

Name: Esther Boniface

Wedding Date: 28th February 2009

Esther says, “This was my dream dress. Given that I am tall and have broad shoulders, a halter neck-line worked better for me. It also framed my face and collarbone as well as gave me much needed support to my bust area. The dress itself complimented my ‘Seychelles traditional’ wedding theme with its bits of embroidery, lace and pearls – it was quite the classical look!”

AMANDA

LISA

LYN

RANNIA

The Wedding Planner

It is possible to have a hassle-free wedding… with a little help by

Mawess Mea Wirtz

Christopher and his wife, Samantha, make up the team of KRS Planning

That momentous day arrived; he (or she) popped the question and you said ‘YES!’ The high dissipated and realisation struck: that telling everyone you are getting married actually means just that. Get married! Plan a wedding! That’s when it starts... the stress! Breathe. Luckily, thankfully, Christopher Laurence of KRS planning walks among us… a veritable knight in shining armour, here to save your wedding even when you didn’t know it needed saving!

Why did you call your company K.R.S planning?

(Laughs) It is not K.R.S Planning, it’s Krs (Chris) as in short for Christopher. Makes perfect sense now doesn’t it?

What does a wedding planner do exactly?

In my case, it depends on which package you go for. There is the coordinating or the planning option. The planning option involves me planning the whole event. I organise the caterers, the decorators, the cake and everything else that you may have asked for but I am not there on the day. The coordinating option is more hands-on. I do EVERYTHING! I make a schedule and I execute it with military precision, all the bride and groom need to do is discuss what they want with me, approve the plan I come up with and pay for it.

Can people afford a wedding planner?

My rates depend on the size of the wedding and the package selected. A big wedding is over 75 guests and a small wedding is less than 50 guests; obviously the requirements for both are vastly different. If I am only planning the wedding then depending on size and what the couple wants at their wedding then it can be as cheap as RS3 000 and as expensive as RS10 000. These things are calculated according to each event; they are all different. For the coordinating package I find that it is easier to charge a percentage of total cost as there are A LOT of things to do. I have to negotiate with multiple businesses in order to grant my clients’ wishes at the best price. So yes. Everyone can afford me.

Does that mean that your clients are going to get perks and discounts?

Definitely! I have established connections and

I know what to bargain for. I have people that I have worked with already so I know what they are worth. I like to give my clients value for their money. For example, my clients usually already have an idea of who they want to work at their wedding but if I know of a person that does the same thing my client wants for a lower price, I am going to introduce them. Seychelles now has a lot of people who offer their services when it comes to weddings and you have to know what things are worth to avoid over-inflation of prices.

The couple literally has nothing to do?

(laughing) That is the whole point of a wedding planner! I do all the work so that you do not have to. I have managed to make seating arrangements at weddings where quite a few people were not on speaking terms, work. At one wedding, a couple had hired someone by themselves that did not turn up… luckily my relationship with one of my regulars got them a replacement there and then. I have had couples congratulate me for giving them the wedding of their dreams and hadn’t even noticed all the things I had to manipulate! Yes, I do everything. Sometimes even counselling… so that everyone behaves! Mum killing Dad is not a great wedding present.

Can you guarantee no drama?

Not only can I guarantee it, I have a system in place that is foolproof. The first thing I do is meet with the engaged couple without anyone else. That way I have a clear idea of what they want without interference. You have no idea how MUCH interference family and friends present with all THEIR ideas. Then I ask for a budget and number of guests/guests list. I keep to the budget. Then I draw up a plan, I look for locations, decorators, photographers, musicians. Everything the couple will need to have their wedding. The couple agrees on who they choose to work with and what they want, then they leave. The only time I see them again is when I need money to pay everyone or if something has to be changed. The last person to be paid is myself, the day before the wedding.

What usually makes a wedding not happen?

The couple find out they are not meant to be. Or someone does not get paid. But if you want to know what will ruin a wedding, it’s none of those. You will not believe the little things that ruin a wedding… weddings have been stopped because a nail broke.

So the Bridezilla is not a legend?

Definitely not. Everyone starts off saying they are normal people who want a simple wedding. To date, I have never thrown a simple wedding and most brides get stressed on the day. I always deal with the outbursts calmly. It is not the time to panic and run around like a headless chicken. I fix things, I DO NOT make them worse. At no point will there be a scene like in the movies where you find a group of women crying and having panic attacks with the planner along with them. NO! The Bridezilla will be calmed down and walked down the aisle... ON TIME.

Is that a guy thing?

I cannot say… but I can say that the fact that I am level-headed and a stickler for time keeping is what makes me successful! Things will happen, but they will be dealt with immediately

Everyone starts off saying they are normal people who want a simple wedding. To date, I have never thrown a simple wedding and most brides get stressed on the day. I always deal with the outbursts calmly.

and effectively and most of the time the married couple will not even find out.

What is the worst thing about being a wedding planner?

Meeting a couple that you sense should not be getting married. After dealing with a few couples, you learn to pick up some cues that tell you that they are not suited for each other. But then, I still have to marry them.

What is the best thing about being a wedding planner?

Throwing a successful wedding. It is such a great feeling to have your work appreciated! I try to make magic happen for my clients and when they see that, it makes it so much better.

Is KRS planning just for weddings?

It is what I do most but I do ALL parties. Themed parties for children of stressed-out working parents give me the most pleasure to pull off. I know that the parents wanted the best for their child but really did not have the time, but I can make it happen for them. I take that load off them.

Contact Christopher on 2527667, E: krsplanning@gmail.com, W: www.krsplanning.com

Be FINANCE SAVVY

How do you learn to be smart with money?

Start with this simple advice by Philippa De Charmoy Lablache

Part 1: Building your nest egg

Saving money: while for some this comes easily, for others it could be likened to a mission impossible. It is important to note that for one to save, one has to be in control of one’s spending. As we know so very well, that is not an easy feat, particularly if you have many financial obligations and with temptations to keep spending (usually on things we don’t really need or should not be buying!) testing our will at every turn.

In last month’s Be Smart With Money column we saw how a spending plan can help you to identify opportunities to cut on your spending, so that you may put more money aside to achieve your financial goals. But what to do with the spare cash until you have reached the target balance? Our grandparents had little choice but to put their savings under their mattress or buried in a jar somewhere on their property. Fortunately, in this century we have different products to use to save for a rainy day or for our wedding day, for the deposit on a new house or even for our retirement.

This month’s column is the first of a two-part piece about saving and investing, where we will talk about products that you can use to put away some money on a regular basis to reach a target balance. In part two we will look at options for investing that balance that you have saved up, to earn a return.

Having done your spending plan, you now know how much you can put aside each month. The most obvious product that you can use as recipient for that spare cash, that almost everyone would have heard of is the savings account. A savings account is the ideal place to start growing

your nest egg; it is a safe place to put your money (there is nowhere safer than a bank for your cash!), you earn interest if you maintain the required balance and with instant access, if you need your cash, such as in the case of an emergency, you can withdraw it immediately without having to give the bank notice and without incurring any penalties.

It is wiser for the account in which you are saving to be separate from the one in which your salary is credited and from which you are making payments, so as to differentiate between the money that you can use now and the money that is being saved for later. Some people find it more disciplined if that account is in a different bank to their transactional account. As the saying goes: out of sight, out of mind!

For convenience and also as a disciplining mechanism, you can set up a standing order to automatically debit your salary account with the amount to save, to credit your savings account on a specific day each month, preferably very shortly after your salary has been paid. If your savings account is in the same bank as your transactional or salary account, then the monthly transfer will be free of charge. Otherwise, you will be charged a fee each time the money is transferred.

Most banks offer at least one type of savings account and you can open one in your own name if you are older than 18 years. Parents and guardians may also open minor accounts for their children with some banks and are responsible for the conduct of this account until the child reaches 18. Some account types require a certain minimum balance to be kept for interest to be earned and/or maintenance fees to be waived. Do ensure that you are aware of all the fees applicable on the account to avoid incurring unnecessary fees that will eat away at your savings.

While a savings account is ideal for saving for the short term, a less wellknown product that can be used to save over the medium to long term is the term life insurance. Through such an insurance policy, you regularly

In this day and age, it can take tremendous effort to save money but by maintaining a spending plan, you will be able to put aside some money.

pay a premium (the spare cash that you had budgeted to put aside as a saving), usually through a standing order, for a fixed period of time (usually minimum 5 years) and when the policy matures, provided that you have paid all the premiums, you get the sum assured and, depending on the policy type, you may even get bonuses. With some policies, you have the added assurance that should you pass away during the term of the policy, your beneficiaries will be paid the full sum assured.

Local insurance companies offer quite a large range of term life policies, ranging from endowment plans to junior policies and from education plans to fixed term savings plans. The insurance company, or an insurance broker, acting as your agent and advisor, can help you to identify from this selection the best one(s) to satisfy your investment needs and your budget.

Unlike in a savings account, where your funds are easily accessible, getting back the premiums paid into a term insurance policy is a bit more complicated. Insurance companies require that you make a certain minimum number of payments before you may ‘surrender’ the policy (cash in the policy before its maturity date) to get back the premiums already paid. If you surrender your policy before its maturity, you may have to bear a penalty fee and will lose any benefits that are payable at maturity, such as bonuses. Ensure to read your policy to understand the costs involved to cashing in your policy before it matures, should you need to do it.

It is also wise to keep track of the payment of premiums by monitoring the debit of the payment from your account and comparing this against the statements that the insurer sends you on a regular basis, as non payment of your premium may nullify your policy, thus resulting of loss of the premiums already paid.

In this day and age, it can take tremendous effort to save money but by maintaining a spending plan, you will be able to put aside some money. Even if it is only SCR 100 per month, whether in a savings account or in a term insurance policy, over time, with interest earned, this can turn into a significant sum, permitting you to afford something that you would have otherwise forfeited or be obliged to borrow at fairly high cost to buy.

I will leave you with the wise words of Jimmy Cliff: you can get it if you really want, but you must try, try and try, until you will succeed at last!

Eat Healthy these Holidays

Here, the festive season may not bring with it eggnog, mince pies and roaring indoor fires, like in the Northern Hemisphere, but that’s not to say it’s any less indulgent because we live in a hot climate. Lynette Botha.

While it’s great to let your hair down a little and treat yourself to life’s culinary delights over this time, don’t go overboard. That’ll just end up with your number one New Year’s resolution being: lose weight (if it’s not on your list already!).

Just be sensible and follow these guidelines, which are smart to use all year long:

Watch your portion sizes

When you’re visiting family and friends all holiday, enjoying long lunches and indulgent dinners, keep an eye on your portions. Don’t let your eyes be bigger than your stomach. Rather enjoy a little bit of everything, and if you’re still hungry, go back for more. Start small.

Plan ahead

If you’re off to a party or function, eat something small before you go – a slice of toast, two boiled eggs or some nuts and cheese, that way you are less likely to reach for sausage rolls, chips, samosas and any other delicious but fattening snacks your host may offer.

When hungry, eat

This sounds simple, but many base their eating habits on what society suggests – but if you’re not hungry at 12 noon, don’t just eat for the sake of it. Eat when you’re hungry. But don’t starve yourself either, or put hunger off until too late, that may set you up for overeating later on because you’re so famished.

Watch your liquid too

Alcohol is loaded with hidden calories and sugar. You may be eating right, but the drinking is adding on all the kilos. Whiskey and vodka are two of the least fattening alcohols, enjoy with sparkling water and a dash of lime and you’re on to a good thing – too many glasses of wine, Seybrews or rum ‘n cokes may see you wearing a larger pants size in the new year.

Lay off the snacks

There are bound to be snacks around; chips, sweets, cookies, before and after meals. Try and limit your snacking and rather eat a bigger main meal – better nutrients, more fulfilling, healthier.

Focus

Switch off the TV, put down your phone, move away from the computer. During the festive season, make the most of mealtime and enjoy your food at the table, on the couch or better yet, outdoors – but focus only on your meal. When distracted we tend to just continue to eat mindlessly, not necessarily because we’re still hungry (ever noticed how quickly you finish a box of popcorn at the movies? Case in point!).

Be prepared

Keep healthy snacks around during the holidays. Chop up carrots and cucumber and store in a container in the fridge; reach for them and a handful of nuts when peckish, or better yet, a banana – nature’s perfect meal, pretty much! Eat wholewheat toast with mashed avo – the fibre will keep you full for longer. Or try mixed nuts with yoghurt and a little honey – it will satisfy your craving for something sweet.

Drink water

Lots of it. Before meals – it’ll make you fuller so you don’t overeat. After dinner and before dessert – you’ll be less likely to overindulge. In between alcoholic beverages – to keep you sober and quench your thirst. And just in general, drinking water is the best thing you can do for your body – it flushes out all the toxins and keeps you hydrated, especially in the heat.

Happy (healthy) Holidays!

If you were to see Tina Hoareau’s resumé before meeting her, you’d be forgiven for feeling intimidated. Luckily for us mere mortals, the woman herself is one of the nicest people you could meet and very easy to talk to. She has achieved so much, yet she remains so down to earth.

A ticket to the world

The amazing story has a commonplace start. Tina lived with her grandmother at Rochon until she was six, then she went to live with her parents, who divorced when she was twelve. Having never had a stable family life, Tina welcomed the opportunity to leave the islands at the age of 17 to pursue her studies through a scholarship award. She was in the second year of her Bachelor in English at Goldsmith College, University of London, when her mother passed away tragically as a victim of domestic violence. It was soon after that when she met the man that she would eventually marry and who would become the father of her son. They met on Round Island and then parted, with Tina going back to the UK to complete her studies. The long distance relationship survived and when Tina was awarded her Master’s degree in English at Kansas State University, the couple married, and shortly thereafter, moved to the Twin Cities.

Change

Women are often defined by how they handle the dark times. Tina’s marriage was unable to weather the many storms life threw its way and with the birth of her son Sebastien in 2007, the young Seychellois made the inevitable decision to become a single mother and raise her boy in a healthier environment – on her own.

The pivotal year

Shortly after her divorce, Tina landed her dream job at Capella University in 2008, where she later started her doctoral studies. Fast forward a year and we have one of the best minds Seychelles has ever produced, suddenly a single mother, an instructional designer, and a doctoral student – all in one!

A Seychellois instructional designer

As an instructional designer, Tina is responsible for identifying the skills, knowledge, information and attitude gaps of adult learners and selecting and creating learning experiences that close this gap, based on instructional theory and best practices from the field. While Tina has always been passionate about instructional design, in recent years she has successfully guided to completion some of Capella’s more complex and prominent projects involving larger groups of stakeholders. This includes work on the applied behavioural analysis degree, which continues high enrolment and retention rates, and programs within healthcare and criminal justice. Tina’s significant contributions at Capella led to her promotion to Senior Instructional Designer in July 2015.

A potpourri of emotions

Potpourri readers will recognise Tina as the columnist who wrote “Musings of an Island Girl.” It all started with an advert posted by the editor and Tina realising that this was an opportunity to engage in self-reflective writing. An email later, Tina was given carte blanche to be as creative as she wanted with her column. Tina wrote for Potpourri Seychelles every month from 2011 to 2015. Unfortunately, when the workload for her

Tina Houareau is a Seychellois living in the USA with her young son. She is an Instructional Designer for Capella University, where she recently completed her PhD in the same field.

dissertation increased, Tina found herself in the unenviable position of having to make changes to gain more time to invest in her doctorate, and, the magazine was just another casualty for the greater good. She describes her time with Potpourri as a journey, and so it was, because in her attempt to remain authentic, her columns became an eye into her life. Through her musings, Sebastien grew up, her career took off, her studies flourished, and Tina discovered herself. Tina, the woman, is a lady that many have rallied behind, her articles have helped us grow along with her and the real world advice has been beneficial to many who took the time to send her a private thank you. She said goodbye with a heavy heart.

Out of the mouths of babes

In October 2015, Tina published her first book in an educational series targeted for children in kindergarten to fourth grade called The Runaway Peanut-Butter Jelly Sandwich. Since then she has been busy reading her story at various bookstores and elementary schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where the book has been well received by the public. Tina’s inspiration for the story came from none other than her son, Sebastien. He is Tina’s heartbeat and that is evident through everything about her. She credits Federico Lang, Nikola Radivojev, and Kosta Todorovic, her illustrators at Maven for the marvellous work they have done in bringing the characters to life. The book is equipped with pre-reading and post-reading comprehension activities designed to help children actively engage with the text and think critically. When your son’s grandfather owns a publishing house, the printing and publishing is not an issue, so expect the book to hit the shelves before Christmas! The book can also be purchased via Tina’s website: http://www.therunawaypeanutbutterjellysandwich. com/

The last musing of the island girl

The last thing Tina would like to give Potpourri readers is a message of hope. She has not had an easy life, but she has risen above so many obstacles and criticisms. When times get hard, whatever it may be, Tina wants you to remember how as a single mother and career-minded woman, she managed to work through everything that life threw at her. She wants everyone to find the strength in themselves and realise that dreams are attainable. It may be cliché but her message is clear: “Wake up early. Work hard. Be ambitious. Keep your priorities straight and your head up. Do well, live well, and dress really well. And above all, never settle for less than what you deserve.”

“ Fast forward a year and we have one of the best minds Seychelles has ever produced, suddenly a single mother, an instructional designer, and a doctoral student – all in one! ”

ONE RAY OF SUNSHINE AT A TIME

There is a new ‘green’ product causing quite a stir in certain parts of the world and last month, it landed in Seychelles. A brief description of it would lead one to believe that perhaps it is too good to be true, but, take note, the world has finally invented a safe, sustainable and attractive alternative light supply, making it easier to go green – one ray of sunshine at a time. By the world, we mean South Africa and the invention was by an engineer working for Consol over two years ago. The jars are currently being manufactured by previously unemployed South Africans from the townships of Soweto and Alexandra. A percentage of every jar that is sold, goes back to these workers.

The jar contains four solar powered LEDs, which are charged by solar cells in its lid. The jar stores energy during the day and releases light at night. When placed in direct sunlight, it is charged and provides up to 10 hours of soft, yet bright lighting without glare. If it’s charged and not used, it can store the energy for up to two weeks.

The Solar jar is ideal for Resorts, Beaches, Water Villas, dining, inside or outside, and all other outdoor pursuits that would benefit from a beautiful lighting to create a wonderful and relaxed atmosphere. They can hang on trees, from the handle and be left outside even if it rains, as it is 100% waterproof. The solar panel has a guarantee of a year.

Email: corsini@seychelles.net

The Consol Solar Jar™ is ideal for garden lighting, decorating your table and other areas, barbecues, camping, alfresco dining and all other outdoor pursuits that would benefit from beautiful lighting to create a wonderful and relaxed atmosphere.

You can personalise your Consol Solar Jar™ any way you like. Fill it with fruit, sand, dried flowers, shells, pebbles... There are endless possibilities. Just use your imagination.

BE SMART WITH MONEY

Online Shopping Smartly Done

Be careful with the information you share on the Internet says Philippa De Charmoy Lablache

The season for giving (partying and spending) is upon us. Some of you have been very good and have been putting a little bit aside regularly, according to your spending plan, to accommodate for the higher cash outflow typical of the December months (new clothes and footwear for the end of year parties, presents for everybody, food and drinks on top of normal expenses) – you can go right ahead and give yourself a pat on the back and expect to be rewarded with a stress-free January 2016. The rest of us, we’ll just flow with the tide and pray that we make it through January with our sanity still intact.

Despite the ‘spend, spend and spend some more’ attitude that we adopt during the holiday season, we should never let our guard down when making payments using our credit or debit card, whether at a POS or online. Your card details can be likened to a key into your account and as such should be given the same level of protection that you would give to a key to a vault that contained all your savings and a

batch of signed blank cheques drawn on your account.

All of us who shop online run the risk of falling victim to card fraud. The online marketplace is marred with all sorts of unscrupulous individuals looking for a way to make a quick buck, sullying the reputation of the Internet as a marketplace. However, if we take a couple of simple measures, we can protect ourselves so that we can confidently and with relative safety tap into this very convenient means of doing our Christmas shopping. In this issue, I will share some tips that if applied, can significantly reduce your risk of being defrauded when shopping online.

START WITH A CLEAN DEVICE

Before even attempting to shop online, do ensure that your PC or mobile device is protected from malicious software (also known as malware). Fraudsters make use of keyloggers (software that capture keystrokes as you type) and other screen capture software

running in the background to get hold of your card details as you type this in online to make a payment. Using your own Internet connection the information is relayed to the fraudster and once they have that, they will have a field day clearing out your account or maxing out your credit card. Malware may be silently installed on your desktop or laptop PC, tablet or phone when you visit dodgy sites or share storage devices such as flash drives and external hard disks with others. So do ensure that you have antivirus software installed, virus definitions regularly updated and the computing device regularly deep scanned.

GO FOR REPUTABLE OUTLETS

There are millions of sites online selling a multitude of items but not all of them should be trusted. Some fraudsters posing as retailers will take your payment and not deliver anything, while other sites exist solely to get hold of your card details to empty your bank account. So, if you find a super new site selling really cool stuff, before you start filling in your shopping

basket, open up Google (or other search engine of your choice) and do a bit of research on this merchant. If you can’t find much information about them, your best bet is to not buy from the site.

USE PAYPAL

PayPal is now a widely accepted form of payment, which most reputable online retailers offer. By tying up your card(s) to your PayPal account, instead of typing in your card details on those sites that accept this form of payment, you only type in your PayPal username (your email address) and password, then choose which card you’d like to pay with. Not only is this more convenient as you don’t have to have your card in hand while you are making the payment, it is also safer as you can be reassured that PayPal would not permit just any anonymous person setting up shop on the internet to use its good name. I tend to be very wary of sites that do not offer payment via PayPal and as far as possible avoid them.

ENSURE THE COMMUNICATION IS SECURE

Normally, information flows around the Internet as plain text. That is, if someone managed to intercept the communication between your internet browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and the server that it is sending and receiving information to and from, they would be able to read it. To ensure that this does not happen, reputable online retailers put in place encryption mechanisms

“All of

us who shop online run the risk of falling victim to card fraud.”

that convert your card information into a code that only them can decipher. When about to make an online card payment, check if the URL (or web address) of the page that you are about to key in your card information on begins with https (the ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’). You may even see a padlock in the status bar at the bottom of your browser window or in the address bar. If you do not see any of these signs, it is recommended that you do not proceed.

MONITOR YOUR ACCOUNT

Keeping track of the transactions going through your account will alert you if your card details have fallen in the wrong hands. With internet banking, electronic statements and

advices, and SMS or text alerts being offered by many banks, by signing up for these services you will find out quickly (if not immediately) if your card details were used to make a payment that you did not authorise, permitting you to contact your bank to request for the card to be blocked from making any further payments. Some banks may even go as far as offering card fraud monitoring services, whereby you may be contacted via telephone, email or SMS to be advised of card transactions authorised on your account and may go insofar as automatically blocking the card if a card transaction suspected as fraudulent to prevent any further potentially fraudulent debits.

With your card details, a dishonest person may find their way into your bank or credit card account and make off with a good portion of the wealth that you have worked hard to accumulate. Therefore, your card information should only be disclosed to trustworthy third parties, through a secure mechanism. Through websites such as Amazon, eBay, ASOS, Boohoo. com, and the like, you could easily get most of your Christmas shopping done without you having to break a sweat running about through Victoria (or any other city for that matter) to find the ideal gifts for loved ones and clothes and footwear for the parties. However, to ensure that you have a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2016, be smart when parting with your card details.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a 2016 full of love and happiness.

L

I F E A S S U R A N C E

SACOS’ wide range of Life Assurance products

SACOS’ wide range of Life Assurance products

offer you and your family financial protection and the most ideal way of saving for the future.

offer you and your family financial protection and . the most ideal way of saving for the future

Styling the same piece in a dramatically different way is more interesting than barely ever wearing the same thing.

That feeling: liberty, simplicity, harmony. Whatever it is, over the past year the minimalist within me, desperately craving that je ne sais quoi, has driven me to downsize my wardrobe by more than half, and the satisfaction it has brought me is immense. Waking up to a fresh environment, absent of clutter, is a feeling like no other, although one that is often fleeting, thanks to the ever-present temptation to add a top here and a jacket there; but the good thing is that repeating the process never gets old. Here are a few tips for the New Year to get that serene and spacious feeling by minimising your wardrobe.

Think about what you naturally gravitate towards. Do you spend most of your days in trousers and a casual top? Monochromatic outfits? Oversized pieces? Then not only do we have a lot in common style-wise, you probably don’t need as many other items of clothing as you may have. Sure, a couple of dresses and nice shirts are indispensable for variety’s sake but, for example, if you’re not going to wear bright colours or skirts very often, owning as few as you feel comfortable with is the first and perhaps biggest step to cutting down the size of your clothing collection. Likewise, if pastels and prints are your thing, you can happily keep the plain, dark stuff to a minimum without feeling that your wardrobe is under-stocked.

Don’t force yourself to wear what you don’t already.

It’s all too common a scenario: fishing out something from the bottom of a drawer or back of a closet that hasn’t seen the light of day in far too long and saying to oneself, “I really should wear this more often.” If it isn’t something you really like or know how to style, it might be worth considering whether or not it’s worth holding on to.

If you like to follow trends, choose ‘timeless’ pieces.

Trends are undeniably exciting but are dangerous to your wallet and your wardrobe space. If you like to keep up with the current fashion, make sure the pieces you buy aren’t going to be seen as out of style in a few years and may even come back in.

Get rid of ‘repeat’ items.

Rather than having five tops that are very similar in shape and design, think about keeping two or three and how you could recycle each one instead: tucked in to jeans with heels or loose over a dress with flats, for example. Styling the same piece in a dramatically different way is more interesting than barely ever wearing the same thing.

Don’t be too hasty or rigid.

Once you get going, it can be tempting to do away with a good portion of what you have; don’t forget that it’s all too easy to get rid of something in the moment and end up regretting it a week later, especially if it was sentimental or expensive. Numerical quotas are also dangerous; if you do have five similar tops that you like and wear frequently then there’s no need to get rid of any of them just because you set yourself a minimum. While a certain amount of unwavering resolution is needed when throwing things away, everybody’s idea of a minimalistic wardrobe differs in size, and although terribly cliche it’s true that you simply need to go about it in the way that works best for you. You’ll know when you’re happy with the results.

Follow Anique on her blog, styluspoint.blogspot.com, and/or on twitter, @stylusvanne.

Less is More

The key to a minimalist wardrobe in five easy steps by Anique Catlin-Joubert

for water, sun and beyond…

The holidays are upon us, and while we spend ample time in the sun and sea all year long, it’s always a good idea to brush up on safety tips… especially during the silly season. Accidents happen close to home and life can change in an instant – rather be safe than sorry… read on!

By Lynette Botha

Safety at the beach and in the pool

It only takes a couple of seconds for a child to drown, and despite what many think, not much water is required for this to happen. It’s not only the ocean and pools that you need to be careful around, rivers, baths, Jacuzzis, even ponds… always keep an eye on your children around open water.

WATER SAFETY TIPS:

The Beach

Even if your child is wearing a swimming ring, armbands or on a flotation item, never allow them to swim unattended.

Hold your child’s hand at all times while in the sea and ensure their head is above water and that they are able to stand.

Look out for flags on some beaches or signposts where you will be notified of strong currents or dangerous swimming areas.

Even when water is calm, do not let your child float in the sea unattended while on a lilo, body board or any other item – the current can change in an instant and pull them out.

If you’re on a boat or kayak, ensure you have life jackets on.

Encourage them to play or build sandcastles higher up on the beach and not at the shoreline, as the tide comes up suddenly.

Don’t consume alcohol on the beach while responsible for children.

The Pool or River

Children should be taught not to dive into pools or rivers, as the pool may be very shallow or the river may be full of rocks, rather jump in feet first until they are sure of the deepness.

When not swimming, ensure swimming areas are fenced off or covered with a net or pool cover – accidents happen in seconds. However, when swimming, make sure nets or covers are removed completely, as a child can get trapped under this if not removed. From a young age, make sure children know not to run around pools or any areas where there is open water – they can slip and fall in, bump their head or worse.

When swimming in a river or waterfall pool, always be careful of sharp objects that may be lying on the riverbed – broken glass that may have fallen in or sharp rocks.

SUN

SAFETY TIPS:

You should always be wearing sunscreen, every day in fact. Just because your skin doesn’t burn, this does not mean that it’s not being affected (and damaged) by UV rays. Use at least a factor 30 SPF when in the sun though and reapply often, especially after swimming, sweating or towel drying.

Remember to wear sun hats to protect your scalp and face and sunglasses to protect your eyes.

If possible, look out for swimwear for your child that has UV protection in the material, as an added precaution.

The sun is strongest between midday and early afternoon, trying and being in direct sunlight during these times.

Make sure that your sunblock offers UVA and UVB protection (UVA are the rays that cause aging and UVB are the rays that cause burning – a good way to remember!).

Even when you’re in the shade, skin can still burn, especially delicate skin of children and babies – ensure they where light clothing or have sun lotion applied regularly.

OTHER BEACH SAFETY TIPS

Cuts and abrasions

If you or your child get cut by any sharp object while at the beach, act in a calm manner, to prevent shock; apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding (being careful not to push the object further into the wound) and do not attempt to remove the object yourself, but rather get to your nearest doctor, pharmacy or hospital.

If you step on a jellyfish or are stung by anything similar

Apply hot water to the area, and directly after a cold compress, ice pack or bag of frozen peas – anything ice cold. Get to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible. If you are ‘stranded’ somewhere for a length of time, try to remove

MOBILE MEDICAL KIT

What to pack

Sharp scissors

Sunblock with UVA & UVB protection

Waterproof plasters

Antiseptic solution

Antiseptic cream

Antihistamines

Bandages

Non-sterile gauze

Rehydration tablets or sachets

Sterile water ampules

First aid dressing

Burnshield

Tape

Gloves

stingers with a credit card (or something similar) by scraping them off. Apply an anaesthetic cream if possible (see: first aid kit advice below). If the area begins to swell, look inflamed or you experience shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately.

Pack a first aid kit

It’s imperative, especially with young children, to travel with a first aid kit, either in your car or keep it in your beach bag. Make sure you know where the closest hospital is, should anything go wrong. Always have a hospital number and after hour’s doctor’s number saved on your phone.

Road Ragin’

Our roads are getting scarier by the day…and these drivers aren’t helping.

Seychelles is quickly approaching a tipping point, if it hasn’t reached it already, when it comes to our traffic system. Sure, there’s the excruciatingly slow traffic in Victoria, but even more disconcerting is the significant increase in accidents and fatalities on the road over the past few years.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, with the influx of more vehicles on the roads over the past few years. Every driver is prone to making mistakes, and most of those mistakes won’t result in a crash. But more cars and more drivers (all trying to find their way on the same stretch of road) will naturally result in more errors, hence the rise in collisions. Accidents are the result of some combination of circumstance, road conditions and driver error. Some accidents are truly that: accidents that just can’t be avoided due to external factors and bad luck. But the vast majority of them can often be prevented if some drivers opted to be a little more aware and considerate on the roads.

If you’re still searching for a New Year’s Resolution, read on to find out whether you might be exhibiting some problematic driving behaviours, and if so, try your best not to be one of these drivers in 2015:

The Clogger

There was a time in Seychelles when drivers could stop along the main road for a casual chat when encountering friends on foot, with nary another car in sight that could be troubled by the obstruction. Those days are no more. The country’s main thoroughfare around the island is now

way too busy to have vehicles using it as their personal car park, no matter how brief.

That also means, unfortunately, that the otherwise kindly gesture of giving someone a lift will eventually need to be restricted and enforced. That may seem extreme, but if you’ve ever sat in early morning traffic at Pointe Larue and wondered how on earth it could be so backed up, think about sand in an hourglass. If the sand travelling down through the glass is the flow of traffic, and if you were to turn the hourglass upside down whenever someone stops along the main road to dan chak or drop someone off, the sand would soon start accumulating at the top, instead of where it’s supposed to go at the bottom, wouldn’t it? All those ‘little’ stops make a big difference in the long run, especially with so many more cars on the road than there used to be.

“SIMILARLY, THERE’S REALLY NO NEED TO USE YOUR BRIGHTS WHEN YOU’VE GOT OTHER CARS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. THOSE BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD OF YOU SHOULD PROVIDE PLENTY INDICATION AS TO THE ROAD’S CONTOURS, SO THE ONLY THING YOUR BRIGHTS WILL REALLY ACCOMPLISH, IN THAT INSTANCE, IS TO ANNOY THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF YOU TO NO END.”

The Stop-and-Starter

If you do give someone a lift and can’t help but stop on the main road, you should at LEAST have the courtesy to look behind you before moving forward again, to ensure you’re not going to further obstruct any vehicles in the process of trying to get around you. If you just take off as soon as your business is finished, you put the other drivers around you in serious risk, as they may not have enough road to pass you with oncoming traffic bearing down on them in the other direction, requiring them to accelerate even more quickly – a bad situation all around. Common courtesy would have you wait until there is a safe opportunity to move forward again. After all, you’re the one who has stopped the traffic behind you – now it’s your turn to wait.

The Luminously Challenged Driver

In Seychelles there appears to be no shortage of night-time drivers who are either desperately short on night vision or just plain ignorant about the purpose of their vehicle’s bright lights. While your brights can obviously come in handy on poorly lit stretches of road, you should always be ready to switch them off the second you see a car travelling in the opposing direction. Leaving them on severely reduces the ability of other drivers to see what’s in front of them – including you and your vehicle. Similarly, there’s really no need to use your brights when you’ve got other cars right in front of you. Those brake lights ahead of you should provide plenty indication as to the road’s contours, so the only thing your brights will really accomplish, in that instance, is to annoy the driver in front of you to no end.

The Lazy Line Straddler

There’s really no excuse for this anymore. There’s just too much traffic on the roads nowadays to be cutting across the middle of the road along sharp curves, let alone on straightaways. If you can’t make a curve without spilling across that white line, then maybe you should just slow down.

The Overzealous Overtake Maniac

The most egregious of these culprits can be found on the stretch of highway from Victoria to Providence, where the curvature of the road and the density of tall casuarinas often block sight of what’s coming around the bend.

A general rule of courtesy which somehow seems to escape many of today’s drivers: if overtaking the vehicle in front of you is going to cause the cars travelling in the opposite direction to brake…or, you know, SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY IN ABSOLUTE TERROR, then maybe you should just sit tight for a little while, chief. When you can clearly see what’s coming along the road ahead of you, go on ahead, but just because the road is wide, or you think Paul Walker has re-incarnated himself into your steering wheel, doesn’t give you the right to put other people’s lives in jeopardy.

The Plain Old-Fashioned Jerk

No driver is perfect, and even the most accomplished driver can make mistakes from time to time. So with the road already perilous enough, we could really do without the handful of drivers too immoral, too ignorant, or some unholy combination of the two, to bother with the actual rules of the road and the common courtesies that go with them.

This goes for the jerk who parks across multiple parking spots (just because no one is using them when you arrive doesn’t mean nobody’s going to come a little bit later).

It goes for the jerk who decides flowing traffic can screech to a halt because he’s tired of waiting to pull out onto the road (right-of-way doesn’t change no matter how long you’re waiting).

And it goes for the jerk who believes driving under the influence of alcohol is okay for any reason (it’s not).

Just remember, simply displaying courtesy and respect for your fellow drivers would make for significantly fewer of the above drivers on our roads, and make them much safer in the process. Until then, stay safe behind the wheel!

‘Contributed’.

Tips for Driving Safely

USE YOUR SENSES...NOT YOUR HEADPHONES

Eyesight is regarded as the most important sense that you use when driving, and rightfully so, but hearing is also important. That means blasting music, be it through your speakers, or even worse, through your headphones, is potentially dangerous. If you can’t hear what’s happening around you (e.g. an emergency vehicle’s sirens) you risk not being able to react until it’s too late to avoid a bad situation.

LEAVE ENOUGH SPACE AROUND YOU

Always try to position your vehicle at a safe distance from other cars and obstacles. The faster you’re going, the more space you need. Remember that in just about every case, the driver that hits a vehicle from behind is the one at fault, no matter how quickly the car in front stops. Even when coming to a full stop, you always want to be able to see the bottom of the tires of the car in front of you for a sufficient cushion.

YOUR MIRRORS ARE THERE FOR A REASON

In order to create enough safe space around your vehicle, you need to be aware of what’s around you. All your mirrors should be positioned correctly for you to be able see what’s behind you, as well as to the left and right.

WATCH YOUR BLIND SPOTS

As important as your mirrors are, they can’t cover all angles, so any time you’re switching lanes or pulling into traffic, be sure to give a quick glance back toward your blind spot (where you’re rear windows are), to make sure there aren’t any cars speeding past you at the wrong time.

Do your children know what to do in an emergency?

Accidents happen – empower your children by teaching them how to handle emergency situations, says Nathalie Hodgson

As a parent, it’s a chilling thought for someone in the in the family to get seriously hurt. But the truth is that accidents can and do happen. They happen whether people are being careless or careful; no one knows when something could occur. We certainly are not parents who worry unduly but it seems common sense to subtly ensure that our children know their options in a worstcase scenario. Do you and your family have an emergency plan?

My husband travels and works most nights until late so the majority of the time it’s the kids and me. Now that my children are no longer toddlers I often think if something were to happen to me would they know what to do? We have taught them healthy eating habits, rules of road safety, stranger danger, touching animals and the importance of their bodies. We have done fire drills at home and at school but we have never done an emergency drill, as a family.

It struck me that children should have basic safety and emergency information drilled into them from a young age. So what are they and how do you teach them?

It all depends on the age group of the child and where they live, but overall, the key message for them to understand is to a) try to wake/talk to the person and if that fails

b) call for help from an adult nearby c) if no one answers, use the phone to dial an emergency hotline xxxxxx.

Children as young as three have done this in the past and succeeded to rescue their loved ones by just listening to the emergency officer on the line or finding someone close by to help immediately.

The best way to handle an emergency is to be prepared for one. Knowing what to do ahead of time can help everyone stay in control so that assistance can be sought. If children have run through scenarios then they are more likely to remember exactly what to do when the stress points are triggered. Teaching children anything should always involve an element of fun that way the information will register quickly.

One exercise that worked with my little ones was practising the emergency drills and what they would do if there was an accident. We rehearsed it as we would learn a song, dance or do our phonics sessions. I pretend to fall down and they jump into action. I try and make it as simple as possible, for example ‘if Mama falls down and can’t get up or Mama is sleeping and won’t wake up, what is the first thing you do?’

There are also lots of videos online that can assist you with these type of lessons and the best one I found was on the Sesame Street website. They take you through each step as a parent and even have free worksheets and kits to download. Here are some suggestions they give, on how to be ready to help in an emergency with your children:

• Talk with your child about emergencies in a calm way. You could explain, “An emergency is when something happens that we don’t expect and we have to act quickly to keep ourselves safe.”

• Help your child learn their full name and the full names of their caregivers. If you and your child ever get separated, she can share these names with trusted adults to reach you.

• Helping your child learn your phone number and address can help reunite your family quickly in an emergency.

• Place the emergency number on the phone or fridge in case they forget

• Help your child learn about the people who help keep you safe, like firefighters, police officers, doctors, and emergency responders so they are more comfortable with them in an emergency.

• Know how to dial your local emergency number 999.

• If they have one, carry a cell phone or know how to use your parent’s cell phone. It’s preferable that small children know how to use the house phone.

• Create a family emergency kit. Reuse an old box or bag and let your child decorate it with drawings or stickers. Let your child put some of the items into the kit.

• Choose two emergency contacts. An out-of-town emergency contact can make sure you’re all OK. A local emergency contact can help you with tasks such as picking up your child from childcare.

• Select an emergency meeting place. This is the safe place where your family will meet if you can’t get home during an emergency.

Source: www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/ready

In most cases calling for help is the most important thing a child can do in an emergency. If no one is around then using the phone is the next step. You can talk through these easy steps with your child (if old enough), for when they need to talk in an emergency phone call:

• Take a deep breath to calm down a little.

• Call the emergency number

• Tell the operator there’s an emergency.

• Say your name and where you are (the exact address).

• Explain what happened and how many people are hurt.

• Follow all of the operator’s instructions carefully.

• Stay on the line until the operator says it’s OK to hang up.

• Wait until a grown-up or an emergency team arrives in a safe spot.

As soon your children can join a course, they should learn first aid; if not for an emergency, then for their own body awareness and independence.

Stay safe and healthy. Happy parenting.

Nathalie Hodgson, is a writer, mother, PR & Marketing consultant, Doterra essential oils advocate and yoga instructor, riding the waves of life with her two kids and adorable beau and enjoying each moment, she can be contacted on natsavy@hotmail.com.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS

An age-old question that has one simple answer: no (not always). Lynette Botha explains is expensive always better?

If I told you there is a beauty product that is so amazing it has up to 21 uses – for hair, body, face and nails; a product that is nutrient-rich, able to lessen the signs of ageing, help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, give you glossy hair and even fresh breath – how much would you expect to pay for it? It’s not from L’Oréal, nor Maybelline, not even Chanel – it’s humble coconut oil, available for around R200 for a 500ml bottle, and accessible for us all.

The uses and benefits of coconut oil have been getting more and more airtime lately, and that’s because it’s has myriad benefits and is allnatural – important in a world that is striving to become sustainable and put nature back on the list of priorities.

But I digress; the question posed here is: are expensive beauty products always better? The short answer is no. But I have to clarify this… In terms of skincare, it’s all down to ingredients and the way they are formulated together. There are moisturisers that contain caviar and gold dust within; they are so grand (and expensive) that you’d probably apply them so sparingly they’d be ineffective. These products are very costly due to their rare and pricey ingredients, rather than because their efficacy is better than what is construed as a less superior product or brand. For example, if you have a body moisturiser that contains shea butter and almond oil from a “budget” brand and a more expensive product that contains shea butter, almond oil and pearl dust (yes, there is such a thing!) – the latter may be viewed as the better product, as it’s more expensive and exclusive and desirable, but the truth is, the core ingredients are the same, the only difference with the pearl product is you may get an added iridescent shimmer on your skin.

Again, it’s not a cut and dry case; it also depends on levels of the core ingredient – Product A may be cheaper and contain 15% collagen, whereas product B is pricier, but it contains 25% collagen. It’s all about consumers educating themselves on what they’re buying and being as knowledgeable as possible. More expensive products are most definitely more luxurious in every form too – from the casing, to the applicators, to the advert on TV – you are buying into the whole brand experience. That costs money too.

So you may not be able to tell a rip-off from a good buy before a little more research in to the particular products you use (or more importantly, their ingredients), but you can apply the following rules to your beauty shopping in future, helping you know when to spend and when to rather save.

SPEND ON: Skincare: you need to look after your skin correctly, and invest in the best products to care for it. Make-up can only do so much –you need to start with a great canvas in order to look your best.

SAVE ON: Powder: To set make-up or absorb excess oil, any basic face powder will do; it’s not necessary to break the bank on this product – as long as the colour matches, that’s all that matters.

SPEND ON: Foundation: there is nothing worse than a foundation that does not correctly match your skin tone; one that is too dry (so it creases) or too oily (so it makes you shiny) will just leave you feeling self-conscious for days. Finding the right foundation is like finding a life partner – once you have it, it’ll take a lot of convincing and seduction to get you to part ways. Invest money in your foundation!

SAVE ON: Mascara and Eyeliner: There are many great options in these categories that work well and don’t break the bank – and because most eye make-up products should be replaced every three months or so, you don’t want to be tossing money in the bin four times a year. You can save on this.

SPEND ON: Lipstick: For truly great pigment and a long-lasting pout, better quality products win here.

SAVE ON: Lipgloss: Women love lipgloss; even better when we have a whole array of different tints for our different moods. Glossy means the pigment is not as important as in a lipstick and it wears off much quicker – this is an item you can save on.

…And trust me about the coconut oil, go on try it!

Stars, Stripes & Hot Dogs

Americans will once again celebrate their Independence on 4th July, commemorating that summer day in Philadelphia when representatives from 13 colonies decided to break away from Great Britain with the signing of a Declaration of Independence.

The date not only marked the birth of a new nation, but has also come to symbolize the creation of a new and modern democratic form of government –one that many countries around the world would emulate in the decades (and centuries) to follow.

Today, “The Fourth” is defined by many of the social and celebratory conventions followed in the U.S., which vary from city to city and often include outdoor barbecue parties, parades and other observances, as well as fireworks displays.

But here are some interesting facts about American Independence Day that you might not have known:

A Bold Prediction

After the delegates from the colonies agreed on the general framework for the Declaration of Independence, Massachusetts representative John Adams, who would go on to become the second president of the United States, wrote to his wife Abigail. In the letter, Adams prophetically described how he envisioned the day of independence would be celebrated, saying it “…ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward, forever more.”

Patriots to the End

Two of the most prominent founding fathers of the republic, the aforementioned Adams and his long-time friend and political rival Thomas Jefferson, both died on 4th July 1826. The fifth president, James Monroe, also died on the Fourth of July, but in 1831.

Independence Day Babies

Calvin Coolidge, who was the 30th president of the United States (from 1923-1929), is the only U.S. president to have been born on Independence Day. However, Malia Obama, the daughter of current U.S. President Barack Obama, is a Fourth of July baby, born in 1998.

Grill or Be Grilled

July is in the middle of North America’s summer: it’s hot, and in some places, miserably so. But no matter what kind of scorcher it may be, Americans can be found outdoors on the Fourth, and preferably next to a pool or body of water of some kind. In other words, it’s barbecue weather!

No Independence Day celebration is complete without burgers and hot dogs charred to perfection on a grill. According to a 2013 report, Americans consume an estimated 150 million hot dogs on the 4th of July alone.

Last year, competitive eater Joey Chestnut ate 61 hot dogs to claim his eighth consecutive hot-dog eating championship, which is organized annually in New York on Independence Day by Nathan’s Hot Dogs.

Fireworks & Fun

Most large American cities conduct fireworks displays in the evening on the Fourth of July, with the Statue of Liberty serving as the most iconic backdrop during the yearly celebrations in New York. Many Americans also enjoy setting off their own fireworks, but for safety reasons, regulations for their use can vary depending on which state you’re in. A few states have banned consumer fireworks altogether, and in others, consumer fireworks can only be purchased – and should only be set off – outside of major cities.

Cities conduct fireworks displays in the evening on the Fourth of July, with the Statue of Liberty serving as the most iconic backdrop during the yearly celebrations in New York.

Many Americans also enjoy setting off their own fireworks, but for safety reasons, regulations for their use can vary depending on which state you’re in. A few states have banned consumer fireworks altogether, and in others, consumer fireworks can only be purchased – and should only be set off – outside of major cities.

By Tom Barton

American Burger Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 kg of minced beef

Half a small onion, finely chopped 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 tablespoon Worcester sauce

1 egg, beaten

Approx. ½ cup breadcrumbs or quick oats (or mixture of both)

Salt and pepper, to taste

METHOD

In a bowl, combine the beef, onion, garlic, Worcester sauce, salt/pepper and egg. Gradually add in just enough breadcrumbs/oats until the mixture can hold its shape. Separate the mixture into individual burger patties sized to match your buns, and grill over a high heat to the desired done-ness (a medium rare burger is an amazing feat). If you don’t have a grill, use a non-stick frying pan, with a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of butter, and melt on maximum heat until bubbling. Fry the burgers on each side until crispy and dark brown.

Once the burgers are complete, it’s time to assemble. Toast each half of the buns on a grill or a pan, then add your choice of cheese, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles or whatever other creative topping you can think of. Finish with mayo, mustard, and ketchup.

Daddy’s Dishes

Nathalie Hodgson shares with us what goes on in her kitchen and how Daddies can be in charge.

Most of us have memories of our mothers making and serving delicious meals through the week, definitely weekends with extra special efforts during the holidays. I grew up in a household where everyone loved to be in the kitchen, and even fought over who would cook. With both parents experimenting with new dishes, and from the time that my sisters could reach the kitchen bench, I was served delicious sandwiches. I fell into the role of ‘the entertainer’ which meant setting the tables, getting the drinks and prepping for the meal to be served. As a mother, my cooking skills have come a long way and my forte is still the hostess, however Daddy is most certainly the chef in our household.

I never had a large appetite and unlike the rest of my family, my day does not circulate around the ‘next meal’, rather I am reminded by the noises in my belly that it’s time to replenish and then I go searching for what is available. I was always the health fanatic, however things change a lot when you become a parent. You are always thinking about food. The meals for the week, the snacks, the dishes for playdates, lunchboxes, birthday parties and picnics. Their necessary daily intake of sugar, carbohydrates, fibre, protein, minerals and most importantly trying your hardest to stay away from preservatives and other nasties that are so convenient in packet food but have so many side effects.

Lucky for me for having a husband that loves to cook and experiment in the kitchen, have led to our children (aged 3 and 4), to not be attached to certain kinds of foods. They are however very picky on quality and tasty foods, which everyone should be. An example of the average weekly meals are tofu stir-fry, fish cakes with spinach and corn, chicken tagine with chick peas and pumpkin, rosemary lamb and vegetable pie, stuffed mushrooms, sweet and sour fish, vegetarian pizza, all accompanied by several side dishes such as lentils, couscous, spinach salad and roasted beetroot to name a few. So versatile are their tastebuds that I am even sometimes shocked at what they eat.

My father used to specialise in meat dishes. Looking back we had the most sumptuous crackling pork, roasted chicken, tender lamb chops and wagu beef on the BBQ in Australia. I remember his ritual of marinating the meats the night before (which took up so much room in the refrigerator), cleaning the BBQ a few hours prior, taking out his cooking tool set and inviting you to stand around while he spoke in length on how to cook which meat on which hot plate or grill and for how long. This knowledge was so useful and my sisters still use his tips and tricks

today. He would then send you on errands back and forth from the BBQ to the kitchen fetching the next load of marinated meats or special sauces. Even though I was forced to finish all the meat on my plate, as even back then I knew my body did not like meat, family meal time were fond memories I treasure.

My children enjoy my simple dishes, and one day they will understand that they were not just ‘the standard’, but healthy and nutritious meals chosen for their growing bodies. I enjoy cooking now, knowing that they are eating balanced meals that give them the minerals, vitamins and energy they require. From a lot of research in my health studies, I now have the experience and am able to see very clearly the distinct effect food has on their moods, concentration span and energy levels. Being able to expose them to the right foods for as long as I can, in these early stages of their life is the least I can do.

Teaching nutrition to children early and often is the key to developing healthy eating habits. My husband often gets the kids to sit up with him on the kitchen bench while he works his magic explaining the processes and letting them help with certain actions.

We talk a lot about the ingredients, where it comes from, how it grows and how it got to our kitchen and on our plate. It’s great to get them to talk about food and we choose a favourite fruit and vegetable each week (saying them out loud with a Mr or Miss, for example I am ‘Mrs Mummy Mango’). With brand new dishes or foods, it normally takes a few weeks and around 10-15 requests before they will accept. What we emphasise is not the fact they eat it all but they are willing to try it. That way they will not head into life (maybe at friend’s house or in restaurants) refusing to try new foods, as it will get harder to get a balanced nutrition with a limited boring diet. Start with small bites (of Mummy’s), and don’t make it a drama if they don’t want to.

Nathalie Hodgson, is a writer, mother, PR & Marketing consultant, Doterra essential oils advocate and yoga instructor, riding the waves of life with her two kids and adorable beau and enjoying each moment, she can be contacted on natsavy@hotmail.com.

Exclusive Distributor: Mamma Mia (Pty) Ltd

Stephenie Dookley

FIT AND FABULOUS

By Lynette Botha / Photographs Marsha Dine

Proof that no matter what life throws at you, you’re stronger than you think….

At 24, Stephenie is a single, working mom whose life has thrown her more than a few curveballs, but she’s not taking it lying down. Literally. Stephenie, who used to weigh 108kg and wear a size 18, now weighs 61kg and alters between a size six and eight, thanks to willpower, sensible eating and lots of training. As we all know, it’s not easy to “just lose weight” – especially not with a full-time job and a young child, but Stephenie was adamant about changing her life. “I was so overweight for a very long time and I didn’t know how to change. It made me feel depressed and unhappy and I knew I had to do something to get my weight under control, not only for me, but for my son too.”

“The struggle is real, it never gets easier, but you get stronger.” This was one of the lines that Stephenie repeated many times during our interview. She meant it in relation to fitness and getting healthy, but it seems to allude to the rest of her life too.”

Once Stephenie had her mind set on getting into shape to lose all her excess weight, she did what most people do –look for a quick fix. She started taking diet pills to curb her appetite, but that solution was short-lived; the pills made her really sick and caused gastric problems so she had to stop. She then tried starving herself, and going hours without eating anything, but again this was not sustainable and left her weak, tired and even more depressed every time she failed. “I would get on the scale, see that my weight was the same, and cry and cry. It was depressing. It’s so difficult when you’re in that place and you don’t see a way out.” Eventually she realised the only way she was going to be able to get in shape was with a realistic goal, lots of exercise and a healthy eating plan. “Everyone is after instant results, I was too, but there is no secret, it’s all about hard work and discipline.” She says.

So, where did she start? “I signed up at the gym, got advice from the trainers there and committed to going every day. I did a bit of everything; aerobics, swimming, weight lifting and jogging. With my eating, I started to cut out carbs – bread, rice, pasta, as well as sugar and junk food. I started preparing healthier meals like salads and fish with vegetables. I also added a lot of protein to my diet.”

Changing your lifestyle so drastically is tough and often not sustainable, but no matter how hard it was, Stephenie was determined to keep going. “The difficult thing is that you don’t see results straight away; it’s not like if you eat clean

and train for a whole week that you’ll step on the scale and see a massive difference in your weight. It takes at least a month or two to see proper results, and even then it’s not much. If you commit to getting in shape, you have to work hard at it and be in it for the long haul, the results you see eventually make it all worth it.” It took her nine months to lose 47kgs and she couldn’t be happier with her results. “You have to work for it; it’s the only way.”

Stephenie is so grateful to her old friends who have supported and encouraged her, her new friends from the gym, who have motivated and pushed her, but she is especially thankful for her parents. “My mom and dad are my everything, they are so supportive. My mom looks after my son, Khelan, when I’m working and going to gym. My dad is always Googling new workouts and healthy eating plans for me. They are so encouraging and they help me so much – I would never have been able to commit to getting in shape without them.” Stephenie, who still lives at home, says that her father even went so far as to create a home gym at the

“Me getting healthy has been a good thing for the whole family; even my son eats more healthily now – he likes to eat what I’m eating; he even steals my plain yoghurt sometimes.”

house for her and he himself is into fitness too now. “Me getting healthy has been a good thing for the whole family; even my son eats more healthily now – he likes to eat what I’m eating; he even steals my plain yoghurt sometimes.” She smiles.

“I would get on the scale, see that my weight was the same, and cry and cry. It was depressing. It’s so difficult when you’re in that place and you don’t see a way out.”

After a less than pleasant split from her ex, Stephenie is weary of rushing into relationships, but that hasn’t stopped the attention she’s been getting since she got her shape back. “I do get a lot more attention from men nowadays; when I go out, I don’t even have to take my purse out of my bag, people just want to buy me drinks!” On the other side of the scale, there are those who are not so fond of her new look, “people are strange; when I was overweight people would say ‘you’re obese’, now that I’m in shape, people tell me I’m too skinny.” She’s slowly starting to realise that she needs to ignore what others have to say and focus on herself, and how she feels. She also doesn’t plan on losing any more weight – her goal is to stay at 61kgs, but keep toning up and maintaining her healthy lifestyle. Besides the gym, she loves to dance, attend zumba classes, workout with her yoga DVDs and walk along the beach.

When I ask her for her advice to people in a similar situation as her, she says “it is not easy at all. But never give up. Keep at it; get advice, get people to support and encourage you. Remember to earn it and own it. You have to go and sweat it out – even when you don’t feel like it, just get up and get active. Soon it becomes a part of your lifestyle and you can’t wait to get to the gym and you can’t wait to eat a healthy salad. It gets easier the longer you do it, just believe in yourself.”

Young in age, but wise beyond her years – Stephenie is proof that the harder you fall, the higher you bounce!

Lissa GET TO KNOW: Labiche

life

confidence and

Leaping through

with

pride, by Hanifa Francoise

A feeling I love to experience is that of pride in seeing someone you know from ‘back in the day’ and learning that they’ve made great achievements and accomplishments in life. Getting to interview Lissa Labiche was one such occasion.

All her hard work was rewarded by numerous awards, such as being named sports lady of the year for 2012 and winning a silver medal during the World Junior Championships by attaining a height of 1.88m.

Who is Lissa? Anyone in tune with the sports world of Seychelles would instantly tell you that she is a national star athlete in high jump, but that would probably be all. However, Lissa started athletics at the age of 14, but it was neither her first nor only sport, before that she had been a basketball player, and dabbled in almost everything that had to do with track and field, before finding her passion as a jumper and deciding to stick to high jump. She is currently part of the national team and has been with them for a total of seven years, alongside it, she is also a newfound member of the ‘Shooting Star’ athletics club. Previously she was a part of ‘Fast Track’ athletics club, but her need to gain new experiences and further herself moved her to changing clubs, and her former club members met her decision with the utmost support.

As with any venture, the beginning was tough, it required a certain way of life and, being a student, it meant double the work, but with the neverending flow of support from her coach, the federation, her family (particularly her mother), Lissa found the will to persevere through juggling schoolwork and being an athlete.

All her hard work was rewarded by numerous awards, such as being named sports lady of the year for 2012 and winning a silver medal during the World Junior Championships by attaining a height of 1.88m. This remains her greatest sports-related achievement to date. I say sports-related for the plain reason that her feats as a high jump athlete are not the greatest milestones Lissa has achieved. For those of you who don’t know, at the tender age of 20, Lissa gave birth to a baby girl named Lerrsya, now 15 months old, and as many young mothers, she faced a lot of criticism for getting pregnant from her peers, including her own disappointment. But with time, she came to accept the blessing that is motherhood. You would think this meant the end of her sports career, but on the contrary, her situation fueled her to pursue her dreams even more, not only for herself, but for her daughter and in the process, prove the world wrong about young mothers.

Three months after giving birth, Lissa immediately returned to training, which was now twice as hard as she remembered, not only because she hadn’t been at it for quite a while, but because she was now responsible for a little life, and juggling motherhood and being a full time athlete proved to be quite the challenge. Lissa was never one to give up, and

Photos: POTPOURRI Photography Studio

What Mums Really Want for Mother’s Day

It’s essentially another birthday without the reminder of your age. A day to be recognised, adored and pampered. So we asked some Seychellois moms to give us feedback.

By Nathalie Hodgson

‘What do you really want for Mother’s Day?’ We asked some of our readers and we received a range of responses, with one central theme dominating. Take a look…

The number one gift

The gift that all mothers want for Mother’s Day is one of those things that money can’t buy – TIME. Time for more love and more gratitude. In essence it is ‘me-time, sleep time and family time’. The majority wrote in to tell us that they crave quality moments by themselves as well as with their loved ones.

‘Real downtime with family’, said Chantal Hoareau, mother of two boys aged 13 and 11. ‘No commitments, no work, no errands, no study, just an easy and relaxed day in the company of my boys. Day after day of being there for everyone, it is really nice to receive that one-day of special attention and ‘thank yous’. A concrete recognition for everything we do –be it having a career, running the house, being the best wife possible and all’, Chantal says.

From the heart

Forget the latest household appliance, large bouquets or latest nail varnish colours. The gifts that mum will adore are ones that reflect a certain amount of thought and consideration; handmade with love, and personalised messages that she is never tired of hearing.

‘If it’s from the heart, I am so happy’, says Retha D’Offay, mother of two girls. ‘I am so delighted to find the creative gifts I receive, from the painted cardboard boxes, the dried crushed flower bouquet, burnt toast, maybe even eggs shells in my tea. These gifts are treasures beyond value, and each gift brings a smile and a cherished memory’.

Other mothers wrote in wishing for: naps without interruption, a 5-course meal with all their favourite dishes, no chores or not to lift a finger all day and ‘on tap’ pampering (shoulder, neck feet and back rubs all day) –wouldn’t that be nice?

‘If it’s from the heart, I am so happy’, says Retha D’Offay, mother of two girls.

Customary

The traditional lavish gifts were not off the list completely for all mums. Who could say no to a weekend away, a day at the spa or even a 3-hour manicure and pedicure?

‘A spa day is my big dream’, says Saviona E-Hardy. ‘The perfect day is checking into a great 5-star hotel,followed by four hours of complete pampering in peace and tranquil settings where I can just disappear into the arms of the therapist’.

No matter what you receive on the day remember to be grateful (even for the small things), this will in turn create respect and a stronger bond that will only grow each Mother’s Day and last a lifetime.

Nathalie Hodgson, is a writer, mother, PR & Marketing consultant, Doterra essential oils advocate and yoga instructor, riding the waves of life with her two kids and adorable beau and enjoying each moment, she can be contacted on natsavy@hotmail.com.

The Fabric of India

Sari

A simple light gold chiffon sari, draped the most common way over the left shoulder. The sari has been paired with a blouse embellished with mirror and beadwork which makes it ideal for more formal occasions.

Model: Nandita Nair | Make-up and photography: Suzanne Verlaque

Green kurta

This is a less formal look made up of a linen kurta in a perfect summer colour. Linen is a fabric perfect for the heat of the tropics. It has been paired with black leggings and a shawl.

Peter Lalande

By Darrel Antat

Artists are different. It is a trademark that I feel most, if not all artists stands by with pride. As they manifest their differences, many of us stand in awe, and even envy, at their powers of creation. But artist are people too, and by that definition; go through life just like the rest of us and face the same realities we do. They just have a different take on the world as we know it, as I got to find out with Peter Lalande.

How it all started

It all started with comics, they were there from the start. I grew up in Bel Air district where I had a neighbor and very good friend, who had a collection of comics with which I’d spend hours reading. It was just a fascinating universe where you could travel to the moon in an instant or go under the sea or visit other countries in the blink of an eye, so it was a fascinating art form that could take you places. My family did not have many possessions and I could not physically go to these places, so for me it was the comics that took me there. I guess my love of comics was there since I was really young. And then when I was a little older I used to frequent the Centre Culturel Française that was then above the Pirates Arms restaurant. They had a comic books section and it was like I used to live there just looking at comics and that for me was all part of growing up.

Family

I grew up with five siblings, two sisters and three brothers. For the most part it was like competing with everyone else, and we had our struggles. But it was also a fun childhood where we could do fun things like hiking up the mountains and swimming in rivers. It was a very fun neighborhood and this made up for the things we didn’t have, and got us to focus more on what we do have, have fun and be kids. Now I have a wife to whom I’ve been married for about 10 years, a son and a daughter. I’m very much a family man who likes to invest and learn because for me, family is everything.

Career

I have previously worked at the National Archives and then the Heritage Foundation. After completing my degree in history and sociology, I came back to doing archival work which I think was the closest thing to history; the documents, primary sources and so on. It was a fun way of still being in that field. I didn’t want to go into teaching, so for me this was it in the sense that it was the place where I could interact with documents, do research and assist people in research. I worked there for about 7 years and then, remaining in the field of history, culture and heritage, I joined the heritage foundation when it was still in the early stages of its inception to help it grow and cultivate its own identity. I worked there for about 3 years. I really had an appreciation for heritage and its potential as an industry. It was a totally new ball game from the archives but it was a fun and learning stage for me. Although at the end of it, one of the things I liked the least about management is managing a big number of people, which I think, was one of my weaknesses. It took a lot out of me and I was trying to find a way that I could still contribute but without the burden of managing a big number of people.

Basketball

I was a basketball player; I’ve been retired for ten years now in order to focus on other things. Basketball stared really early for me because when I was a kid, sports was a big way of getting kids together in the neighborhood. We played football and basketball together and for us it was just keeping fit, enjoying the camaraderie and friendship while at the same time doing something fun. I was not the best basketball player, but I loved the sport and I’m still very passionate about it. I coached the basketball youth team at Bel Air for about 2-3 years and I felt that it was my way of contributing towards the development of the sport and bringing young kids together. Nowadays I’m not as involved with basketball but I still like to go watch the occasional game, especially when BAYA is playing because that was the team that I grew up and played with.

Bernard Georges reflects on the rights of a mother whose 16-year old daughter has fled the nest.

My 16 year old daughter has decided to move in with her friend who has her own apartment. All my attempts to bring her back home have not worked. Is it not illegal for an adult to house a minor? Could I ‘legally’ try and bring her back?

Aaah, sixteen-year-olds. Not quite adults yet, but clearly not complete teenagers either. ‘Sweet little sixteen’ wasn’t coined as a phrase for nothing. It isn’t sweet fifteen - that’s too young. Nor is it sweet seventeen - that’s too close to adulthood. Sixteen is a magical age, which is why so many parents have so many problems with children of that age, and so many sixteen-year-olds cannot understand their parents. Sixteen is an age of transition, and that has been recognised in many areas. In the USA sixteen-year-olds can drive; Scotland is toying with the idea of giving them the vote. In many countries they can get contraceptives without their parents’ consent. In Seychelles, many are already parents. Sixteen is the age where children believe they have become adults already. It is also that age where parents want to hold on to their daughters, knowing that in the blink of an eye, the little girl will have flown the nest and entered the adult world. The fact that the reader’s question this month specifically mentions the age of the daughter as being 16 is interesting. Had the age been 15, different considerations would apply. But let us not run away with the plot. The first consideration here from a legal perspective is to establish the legal link between the parent and the child. It is only the parent who is the guardian of the child who can do anything to get the child back. If the child is the daughter of a married couple living together, then the father is the guardian. If the parents are divorced, the parent who has custody is the one who is the guardian. If the child’s parents are not married, the mother is the guardian, but the father may become the guardian if he has

recognised the child. It is important to get this out of the way first, because a parent wishing the best for his or her wayward child may find that he or she has no right to do anything legally. If the parents are in the process of a marital breakdown, this issue will be of paramount importance, and if that was the problem which led the child to leave in the first place, this will be a significant factor in applying the law. But let us assume that all is well on the parenting front and that the reader has full legal rights over the daughter. What to do? The reader has tried to encourage the child to return, but without success. He or she wants to know two things: can the child be legally brought back, and can something be done against the person harbouring her? The point of departure is the Civil Code. This lays down some basic rules. First, a child during minority owes respect and honour to its parents. Second, the child remains under the authority of its parents while a minor. Third, until the child attains the age of majority, it cannot leave home without its parents’ permission. Fourth, a parent may apply to the court for any appropriate order if the parent cannot control the child. Because of these rules, and because the parent has the right to exercise authority over a child (provided the legal relationship discussed above exists), then a parent, by taking a simple action before the court, can compel the child to return, and compel the adult housing her to let her go. The simple answer to the first question the reader asks is thus, yes, the parent – for parent here, read guardian – can get the court to order the child back home. But, what of the child? Does she have any say in the matter? Yes, and no.

No because she is a minor and is incapable in law of making these decisions. What her guardian, or the court, says goes, until her eighteenth birthday. But that’s not the end of the road. The moment an action is

All being well, if the parent/child legal relationship exists and this is a child simply trying to grow up before time – as 16-year-olds often do –the court will force her back home to continue to live under the authority of the parent until she reaches 18.

taken against the child in court, by the parent asking for an order that she be made to return home, for instance, the child - whether she wants it or not - gets the protection of the Attorney General. This officer is vested with the protection of the welfare of all minors. The Attorney General will be able to step in, make enquiries about the issue, and take a stand, either going with the parent, or going with the child, depending on what is best for the child, and depending on why she left home in the first place.

The reader also wants to know whether there can be any action brought against the adult harbouring the child. Civilly, there may well be, but that will depend on the behaviour of the adult. If there has been enticement of the child to leave home, or if this has happened because of bad blood between the child’s parents and the adult housing her, then damages may well be recovered from the individual. If, on the other hand, the adult is only giving refuge to the child because of domestic problems at home, or to safeguard the child from greater harm, then the harbouring may be innocent and no legal issues will arise.

Can there be any criminal action taken against

the person harbouring the child? Had the child been 15 years or below, there could most definitely be. The law makes it an offence to take a girl – not a boy, mind – below that age away and harbour her against the wishes of the parent or guardian. Here again, the facts will resolve the issue, as in the civil case for damages above. There must have been enticement to leave and intentional harbouring. Innocent harbouring is not an offence. However, if the child is being kept by the adult person for sexual reasons, then there is an offence committed, whatever the age of the child.

The reader will have realised by now that he or she can clearly take action to get the daughter back home. All being well, if the parent/child legal relationship exists and this is a child simply trying to grow up before time – as 16-year-olds often do – the court will force her back home to continue to live under the authority of the parent until she reaches 18. As for the adult harbouring the child, the situation is less clear. There will be civil or criminal punishment only if there is a deliberate attempt here to get the child away and keep her out of the reach of the parent for no good reason. Otherwise, the court will be disinclined to punish.

Educated at Seychelles College and Cambridge University, Bernard Georges has two Masters Degrees – in the law of divorce and in canon law, the law of the church. He is best known as a lawyer, having been in private practice for over 30 years. Over the past ten years, he has also been a member of the National Assembly. He is currently a part-time lecturer in law at the University of Seychelles, where he teaches Constitutional Law. And, he is a budding writer. He has written and published two novels to date and he promises many more books on history, law and Seychelles.

Grooming Essentials for the Modern Man

Beauty routines for men are now the norm, says Lynette Botha

A few years ago, men could get by with a shave once or twice a week, some sun cream now and then, a great scent for special occasions, and if needed, a little hair gel. But times have changed and the modern man takes grooming seriously. Internationally, according to Datamonitor’s Global Grooming Survey 2014, 52% of men consider their looks as either important or very important, 48% of them think that beauty and grooming products improve their overall appearance and 29% of them touch up their appearance regularly during the day.

It goes without saying that you need body wash and shampoo for day-to-day upkeep, but if you see yourself as more David Beckham than Neanderthal Man, these are the top 10 grooming essentials you need to add to your bathroom shelf…

Cleanser

No, it is not okay to use your body wash on your face. Get a cleanser specifically for your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive et al) and use it morning and night. Cleansing is so important as it ensures that whatever you apply after is actually able to penetrate the skin.

Moisturiser

If you’d like to hang on to your youthful manly looks for as long as possible, invest in a decent moisturiser that can also be used day and night after cleansing.

Sunblock

If your facial mosituriser does not contain SPF, ensure you apply sunblock over it. Do this every day. Yes, even when it’s raining. UV rays from sun exposure are one of the biggest agers – it doesn’t matter if you are indoors most of the day, or if it’s overcast, the 30 minutes you spend in

the car driving to work can even effect your skin – the trouble is, you’ll only see it’s true affect years later (in the form of wrinkles, sun spots and pigmentation). And then of course, when you are expecting a lot of sun exposure, ensure you apply sunblock liberally all over – from top to toe.

Lip balm

The modern man is not afraid to apply a little balm to his lips to keep them moisturised and chap-free. Trust us, the ladies will appreciate this.

Eye cream

Keep the windows to your soul youthful looking with a little eye cream around your peepers before bedtime very night. Don’t rub this delicate area (rather pat the cream in with your ring finger). Don’t worry – we won’t tell your guy friends.

Deodorant

Well, this is a no-brainer, everyone wants to smell good and keep dry in the heat. Ensure you have an effective roll-on or deo spray that you use daily.

Fragrance

There is nothing quite as seductive as an intoxicating scent on a man. With so many fragrances on the market today, it’s best to try before you buy. Remember that fragrances vary from person to person, that Armani scent that your best friend bought may smell great on him, but it could differ on you. Always allow fragrance to settle on your wrists for a while before deciding – and don’t press your wrists together after spritzing, this breaks up the fragrance particles!

Body moisturiser

Especially in a place with a climate like the Seychelles, skin needs to be nourished. Try to apply a rich body moisturiser once a day, concentrating on particularly dry areas like ankles, knees and elbows. If daily is too much for you, at least a few times a week – preferably after your evening shower.

Hair wax or gel

If you prefer to grow your hair a little longer, keep it looking neat and stylish with hair gel or wax, especially for a night out or when you’re at the office.

Tools

Then come the tools – the extras, from hair trimmers to foot files, but this is dependent on each individual and just how seriously you take your grooming. Two must-haves though are a good razor, for a clean shave, and a pair of nail clippers – seriously, keep those hands and feet in check!