Government and Roman Catholic Church Sign MoU on Addiction Rehabilitation Programme

VICTORIA, Seychelles — The government of Seychelles has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Roman Catholic Church to formalise their partnership in the operation of the addiction rehabilitation programme ‘La Ferme de L’Espoir’. The three-party agreement was signed on Thursday, August 21, at Liberté House, by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, Patrick Payet, the principal secretary for Health, Dr Bernard Valentin, and the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Seychelles, Bishop Alain Harel.

The agreement sets out the roles and responsibilities of each party in the continued operation of the programme, which provides residential rehabilitation services for individuals recovering from addiction. The signing of the MoU formalises a long-standing collaboration between the government and the Catholic Church in addressing substance abuse and supporting recovery in the country.

La Ferme de L’Espoir, located outside Victoria, has been a central pillar of the country’s response to addiction, offering residents a structured environment in which to rebuild their lives through therapy, vocational training, spiritual guidance and reintegration support. The programme is widely regarded as one of the most successful rehabilitation initiatives in Seychelles, and the new MoU is expected to provide a stronger institutional framework for its continued operation, with clearer lines of accountability between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, and the Roman Catholic Church.