Pillay-R Group business chain owner Ramu Pillay said this to Seychelles Nation on Christmas day, yesterday, as some 70 children from three orphanages – Nazareth, Solitude and Providence – joined the nuns who work there and representatives of Pillay-R Group for a lunch at the Palm Residency hotel.

It’s the 10th year in a row the Pillay-R Group has organised the lunch and Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange graced the event with his presence as he delivered gifts to the children in the presence of Father Christmas.

Minister St Ange thanked Mr Pillay and the Pillay-R Group business chain for having at heart the children living in the orphanages, adding that all acts of kindness to the children are greatly appreciated.

“I’m happy to be here with you and I’m happy to see a businessman who works hard and is successful giving to others, especially the less fortunate. And you children, I call on you to heed the advice of the nuns you live with and to work hard at school to become successful individuals,” said Minister St Ange.

With his children present for the lunch and the afternoon of fun, Mr Pillay said he hopes they will follow this tradition of giving back to the less fortunate.

“I’m showing my children that they too should learn why it is important to give back to the community they live in. Whenever you do something good, you are blessed.

And once again we have welcomed these children to our hotel to enjoy themselves on Christmas day as we should not only please ourselves on this day but others too,” added Mr Pillay.

Children from the three orphanages send a list of the presents they would like to get and the Pillay-R Group business chain buys them.