The Perseverance youth bureau renovation project has been formally launched following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Seychelles National Youth Council and the K D Pillay Soundaravally Foundation at SNYC headquarters in Sacos Tower, Victoria.
This Perseverance youth bureau renovation represents a landmark partnership between a government agency and a private philanthropic foundation, bringing together public oversight and private resources to create a modern, accessible, and well-equipped facility for young residents of Ile Perseverance. The project reflects the Ramkalawan administration’s commitment to strengthening youth services through innovative collaboration with the private sector and civil society organisations, recognising that well-maintained youth facilities are essential for community development and social cohesion.
The agreement was signed by SNYC chief executive Albert Duncan and foundation representative S T Karpagam, with Daya Construction director M Senthilkumar present. Daya Construction has been contracted to execute the complete revamp within one month, including structural repairs, electrical and plumbing upgrades, interior refurbishment, new furniture and fixtures, and improved accessibility features. The work will transform the ageing facility into a fit-for-purpose youth centre, ensuring that the Perseverance youth bureau renovation delivers a space that meets modern standards and the needs of today’s young people.
The youth bureau on Ile Perseverance has served as a vital community hub since the area’s development, offering after-school programmes, sports coaching, life skills workshops, and cultural activities for hundreds of young residents. However, years of heavy usage and limited maintenance budgets have taken their toll, with worn facilities, outdated equipment, and diminished capacity affecting the quality of services. The K D Pillay Soundaravally Foundation, which focuses on education and community welfare, identified the need during a site visit and offered to fund the full overhaul in partnership with the SNYC, recognising the urgent need for this Perseverance youth bureau renovation.
Once the renovation is complete, the facility will host expanded programmes including digital literacy classes, vocational training workshops, sports leagues, and arts and culture initiatives. It is expected to serve young residents from Ile Perseverance and neighbouring districts such as Les Mamelles and Providence, significantly increasing its catchment area and impact. The project also establishes a replicable model for public-private partnerships in youth service delivery across the Seychelles, demonstrating how targeted investment can transform community assets and create lasting benefits for young people and their families.
Albert Duncan described the partnership as a blueprint for how corporate social responsibility can create lasting community benefit. He noted that the SNYC is actively pursuing similar collaborations with other businesses and foundations to renovate additional youth bureaux nationwide. Foundation representatives expressed confidence that the project would inspire further private sector engagement in youth development and demonstrate the tangible impact of targeted philanthropy on local communities, setting a precedent for future partnerships across the islands.
The Perseverance youth bureau renovation is scheduled for completion by early February 2025, just in time for the start of the new activity season. The SNYC will hold a formal reopening ceremony with government officials, community leaders, and the young people who will benefit from the upgraded facilities, marking a new chapter for the centre and the wider community it serves. The project is expected to become a flagship initiative demonstrating how strategic investment in youth infrastructure can strengthen communities and provide safe, inspiring spaces for the next generation of Seychellois citizens to grow, learn, and thrive together.
Credit: SNYC — snyc.sc
Photo source: Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family — youth.gov.sc
