The Praslin Film

A film based on the prospect of opening a school on Praslin requires at the very least, a trip to Praslin to interview prospective parents and take a few shots of what makes Praslin unique from Mahe. So on Monday the 12th we went filming on the second main Island of the Seychelles, Praslin.

Upon arriving we noticed that for the first time in weeks the weather was gloomy, we were however not discouraged. We met our tour guide for the day Mrs. Emilia Vidot who would show us around and introduce us to the parents. After a steady breakfast at the Indian Ocean Lodge we were on our way to the Vallee de Mai.

Vallee de Mai
One of the most beautiful areas of the Seychelles, boasting an expanse of endemic plants and animals ranging from the Latannyen milpat to the black parrot found only on Praslin to the famous and legendary Coco de Mer.

This remarkable plant can only be compared to the tortoises of the country in age and majesty. The plant itself takes around 1 – 2 years to germinate, the plant will grow for 20 years before one can tell if it’s a male or female and the nut takes 7 years to mature after pollination*************.

However once the tree has established itself on a piece of land, its roots will remain on the spot for over 15 years after the plant has died and decayed. This is a good example of coexistence as after the plant has died, its roots become the nesting place for the Black Parrot. After having spending time filming the place, we made our way to our interviews.

Interviewing parents

For the school, we had to interview potential parents, we travelled round the island with our guide Mrs. Vidot and our first stop was Mr Christopher Gill with 5year old sons who save for the school on Mahe opening a space for him would have had to move to Mauritius with his mother for a primary education leaving his father behind.

Pierre represents the average worker on Praslin who, for the sake of their child’s education is willing to give up the little luxuries in life to be able to afford to send their child to the school.

Next was Mrs. Vidot, already has one daughter at the school on Mahe and a smaller child whom she does not want to separate from, fears that her reluctance to forfeit family contact for the sake of education may cost her daughter in the future but feels that a school on Praslin would solve her dilemma.

Then there was an Indian Couple who were very keen for the school to be built as since they are expatriates, they have no family on Mahe so the alternative for them if the school does not happen is to be separated as the mother will have to move to India to be with her son leaving her husband to work on Praslin. Finally there was Bart La buschagne, co owner of Black parrot and Coco de Mer Restaurant and Hotel, whose child is only 2 and he hopes the school is finalized and finished by the time his child goes to school

All in all, a successful trip having the opportunity to film several shots of the locals and of the natural beauty of the island.