(Seychelles News Agency) - The talented Seychelloise writer Jade du Preez has won an award from an international organisation for short story writing.

Du Preez, 14, was the only recipient under the age of 30 to receive the FIPA centennial award, an annual story writing event organised by the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs (FIPA) based in Jamaica.

This is the second international achievement and recognition for du Preez after coming in the 4^th position in the final of a classical singing competition – the 8^thedition of the ‘Sanremo Junior - held in Italy last year.

The multi-talented teenager participated with a short story - ‘Desolation or Resurrection of the World?’ - which was centered on the environment.

“I am passionate about the protection of the environment, and I want to protect our planet. We depend on the Earth so we better start taking care of it. Every day we are given the option to make positive changes for the future of our planet,” said du Preez.

Speaking to SNA on Tuesday, a shy du Preez said: “I was really shocked that a little girl from Seychelles could win such award. I hope I have inspired others and together we will look after our beautiful planet before it’s too late.”

Du Preez said that the Seychelles - a group of islands in the western of the Indian Ocean – was the inspiration for her story.

Du Preez said that the Seychelles was the inspiration for her story. (Irene Du Preez) Photo License: CC-BY

“I love our wonderful beaches, soft and white as snow and the Seychelles seawater so clear, like a marble cake of blues, a rare beauty with gardens of colours and many varieties of fish. People travel long distances to catch a glimpse of what we have here right in front of our eyes,” said the young writer.

The student of the Seychelles Independent School said that every one can play a role to conserve and protect the environment of the island nation.

“Don’t ever let someone tell you that one person can’t make a difference. The truth is that for centuries it has always been the action of one person that inspired the action of many. By writing such story I wanted to be a leader for the youth,and inspire others to reach for the sky,” said du Preez.

The FIPA awards is held to celebrate extraordinary critical thinkers and leaders who use the written word to promote oneor more of their three areas of focus, namely: education & culture, industry & commerce, and science & technology. FIPA has published over 90 books and booklets on a wide variety of subjects.

Du Preez said that “writing is a way to express how I feel when I’m unable to talk to others and to remember things: how something felt, what it looked like. It’s also a way to play around with words.”

The aspiring youngster said that her plan is to continue to write and develop her skills. “Hopefully what I write in the future, whether a book, a song, a poem, it will touch people as much as I get touched by other writers' books, words and songs.”

Apart from writing and being a soloist of classical music, du Preez is a keen guitar player and also dances ballet. Du Preez who is doing well academically as well said that she hopes her achievements can be an inspiration to the young people of Seychelles.

Du Preez said “my wish is that the youth of Seychelles put all their energy into positive things.”