Airtel Telecommunications (Seychelles) has financed the renovation of the house of Lucy Lista at Petit Paris in the Cascade district to the tune of R450,000.

This falls under the company’s corporate social responsibility programme and to mark its 20^th anniversary.

The renovated house was handed over to Mrs Lista yesterday afternoon following  a month’s renovation works.

During the period that the renovation works were being carried out, Mrs Lista was put up in a guesthouse paid by Airtel Telecommunications.

Airtel, with the assistance of the Cascade District Administration, visited the homes of ten vulnerable people who needed renovation works and it was really difficult for the telecommunications company to decide on which citizens they would assist. They finally chose the house of Mrs Lista.

Mrs Lista, who is permanently unable to work because of health condition, thanked Airtel for its kind gesture at the handing over ceremony.

« I am happy that Airtel has renovated my house through their CSR programme. I was really shocked to have witnessed such a renovation as my house was in a bad condition, that sometimes before going to bed, I had to watch the weather news so as to see on which side of the bed I will sleep, » she said.

Renovation and refurbishment works  done by Airtel included some major repairs on the house and the provision of a new carpet, a new bed, new plumbing system, renovation of the ceiling and new wiring installation among others.

Airtel’s CSR coordinator, Marie-Pierre Volcère, stated that the company wanted to do something worthy for its first CSR of the year.

“Since the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, this is being seen as a special CSR event. Since last year, we were planning on such a project and Mrs Lista was the lucky person because of her health condition and the fact that she is unemployed,” she said.

Mrs Volcère added that at first Airtel was only replacing a new ceiling to prevent leaking during heavy rains.

“At first our mission was to carry out minor renovation works on her house, but  seeing that her house was in a terrible condition, we decided to renovate ninety per cent of her house to ensure that she stays in a more comfortable environment,” she said.

To mark its 20^th anniversary of operations in Seychelles, Airtel is planning other CSR activities throughout this year.