VICTORIA, Seychelles — Gran Kaz has donated R50,000 to support the Sober Living project, a pioneering pilot initiative developed by Recovery in Action Seychelles to assist individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction through the creation of a structured, safe, and supportive residential environment on the island of Praslin. The donation was officially handed over this week, marking a significant milestone for community-led addiction recovery efforts in Seychelles.
The Sober Living project addresses a pressing and complex challenge that affects families, workplaces, and entire communities across Seychelles. Praslin, as a smaller island with fewer resources and limited investment opportunities, has been particularly affected by substance abuse. The absence of structured recovery environments has historically left individuals seeking sobriety without adequate support, making this initiative a critically needed intervention and a potential national model for long-term recovery.
The project centres on a 12-step Sober Living Home at the Anse La Blague community centre, a site that is accessible yet quiet, providing residents the stability needed to focus on recovery. The home will accommodate four to eight male residents, overseen by an on-site house manager, with residents required to commit to a minimum stay of three months and to contribute to maintaining the property. The recovery framework is built around the internationally recognised 12-step programme of Narcotics Anonymous. Renovation of the manager’s house and residents’ rooms is now complete, thanks to support from Pomeroy and Co, while the Ministry of Local Government and Inner Islands has dedicated the property to the project for ten years. Narcotics Anonymous Seychelles held its first meeting on Praslin in May 2024 with continued support from the African Zonal Forum.
Recovery in Action Seychelles chairperson Natasha Gresle described the donation as the start of a 12-step recovery community in Seychelles, based on a model that has proven highly effective in other countries worldwide. Gran Kaz public relations manager Shama Amesbury highlighted the importance of supporting initiatives focused on long-term solutions and meaningful social impact rather than merely treating the surface symptoms of addiction.
Gran Kaz believes the pilot project has strong potential for replication in other areas of Seychelles should it prove successful. The R50,000 donation will contribute directly towards running costs, filling a very real gap where few structured recovery spaces currently exist for people who are genuinely ready to rebuild their lives. The Sober Living project ultimately aims to build a strong fellowship of Seychellois in recovery, empowering individuals to support one another and extend hope to those still struggling with addiction.
The Sober Living project on Praslin represents a landmark community investment in addiction recovery, offering a practical and replicable model that could transform lives across the Seychelles islands.
