Rewind-no4

May 2020 | No. 04

CMeoletbhreartsing

The one who teaches us
what sharing, caring and
loving is all about...

Shedding AYacmtivmiteiers Congrats!
the light
Guess who? Wow.. Seems that there were a
Zoom on Online Marketing & Baby lot to celebrate in May!
Creative Team

Shedding the light

Online
Marketing Team

The keyword is SEO, Search Engine Optimisation. Our team
works to improve the ranking of our brands on Google and
Bing and increase traffic to our sites. And how do we do that?
Affiliates, performance and audits of brands, cross-linking, link
building… there’s so much more than just content writing!

What started back in 2016 as a two-person department,
became a major branch of the whole Marketing tree of Stride.
Led by Cindy, the team is on the watch for any issues that
affect SEO ranking of the brands.

The team also keeps track of the number of Registrations
and FTDs while analysing and finding the possible causes
that might affect the increase and decrease in acquisition
processes. In Online Marketing, there’s no right or wrong
science… it’s just a matter of analysing your figures.

Creative Team

The creative team is responsible for creating eye-catching
materials that will entice target audiences. Our designers
oversee the visual communication of the business.

The creative team in Mauritius collaborates with the
design team in the UK, where Mik is the Creative Director.
Aurelie and her team thrive and enjoy being part of a
really vibrant creative team and doing what they do best;
graphic design and animation!

Their motto is: ‘A team that sweats together sticks
together.’

Their aim is to break their own records, to outstrip their
yesterday by their today.

Yammer Guess who Baby!

We think it’s safe to say that last month’s ‘Guess who
challenge’ was a great success. The participation of
our colleagues with their comments only added to the
fun and excitement. For a fleeting moment, we took a
trip down memory lane with our babyfaced friends.
While some photos were easy to guess, for others the
little descriptions were great clues. For days, the battle
got more and more intense.  After 3 challenges and
thumbs worn out with typing, we had our top scorers:
Jane, Ron, Zoe, and Adriana. A tiebreaker was needed
to reveal the winners. Even though Ron missed the
notification, he managed to bag 1st Prize with the girls -
Jane and Zoe closely behind, with the 2nd and 3rd Prize.
Congratulations peeps!

Celebrating Mothers

It is Mother’s Day Everyday!

Mother’s Day is the time of the year where we
honour mums of the world. However, the super-
women of our lives deserved to be celebrated
every single day. Since we couldn’t gather all the
amazing Moms at SRG to celebrate motherhood,
we’ve asked Aurelie, Sylvia, Kim and Jade what it’s
like to be a mom during the lockdown.

Sylvia Venkatachellum (Comms Executive) challenges. What were some of these challenges?
Working at home is hard especially when you
In this time of crisis, how do you do keep the have kids running around. But with the help of my
children engaged? husband I’ve managed to find a routine where I can
I keep Keviyen and Daviyen busy with their work, cook, do laundry while spending quality time
schoolwork and to develop their creativity I usually with my family.
encourage them to paint, sing, and dance. They also
help me with the house chores. As a mom, what have you been enjoying the most?
Watching shows or cartoons and baking some
Responsibility towards the household, bonding delicious cakes with the kids during the weekend. 
with the kids all while working. Juggling all these
roles during the pandemic has thrown up various

Aurelie Castagnette (Creative dep Team Lead)

Aurelie, this year you’ve welcomed Abbygail Elize into
the world. What have you learnt since you’ve become a
mom?
I did not know to what extent such a tiny new person
could turn your life upside down. Abby has become the
apple of my eye, but let’s keep it between us, someone
might get jealous. I wouldn’t target anyone, of course!
But sincerely, I did not realise that once you bring a kid
into this world, it is not about you anymore. The amazing
thing about becoming a mother is that I will never again
be my priority, and honestly I don’t mind because there
are no words that can describe the euphoria I feel every
day when my baby girl recognizes me and smiles. Trust
me, babies spread magic!

What is the most important advice your mom ever gave you?
Haha!! There are plenty. My mom is full of advice every day. The one thing that will always remain engraved
in me is her hard work and determination. She has always taught my sister and I to never give up and to stay
strong; if life is not fair — get over it and move on!! She has always motivated us to be strong independent
women who stand up for themselves and to remain humble.

As a first-time parent, having a newborn during a global pandemic can be scary and challenging. What
was your experience and how did you grow from it?
I never imagined that this is what my fourth-trimester experience would look like, but I am just so glad me and
baby girl are safe and healthy. Sadly, the only way my parents and in-laws had to see Abby was through video
calls. This pandemic has abruptly changed our lives. My husband and I had to isolate ourselves for nearly two
months. It has been challenging indeed but this was when we’ve realised the importance of God in our life.

Kim Lapeuraite (Integration Project Lead) from their early young age. I wear several hats and
try my best to offer Chanelle and Lucio the best
What did you discover about your children? education and ‘le savoir vivre’. In a calm environment
Working from home gave me the chance to discover in which they can prosper.
the children a bit more, their character as well as
the likings. I can say they love their space. Playing How would you describe your kids?
outdoor is their favourite though they also enjoy
watching nickelodeon and play on their phones. Chanelle, my choupette is more energetic and
We’ve spent more time together on the weekend straightforward. If she doesn’t want to talk on the
during this pandemic. phone, she’ll tell me ‘Je te passe Lucio’. Lucio, mon
petit lapin, is caring, sensitive and a protective brother
What type of mom are you? & son. They are my greatest love of all.
As a mom, I am very firm as I need to instil discipline

Jade Decube (Customer Cerification Analyst)

Jade, what is your daily routine?

Hit the snooze button several times before the clock
struck 7:45. I wake up, brush my teeth, and get ready
to work. In the meantime, everyone is sleeping,
and I get to enjoy some calm moments before the
storm. When the kids wake up, their dad takes care
of them. Then during the breaks, I do house chores,
cook food, and play with the kids. IT’S NON-STOP!
Ha-ha...

What are the things you’ve been grateful for these
days?

Spending time with Eliana and Mateo has been
something I have been cherishing. Watching them
grow each day and helping my little girl with her
homework has helped me create a bond with the
kids. By working from home, I get to enjoy special
moments like Mateo’s new words- Helicopter, that
I might otherwise not have had the chance to
experience.

What do you do to relax?

Nothing… haha. Joke aside, I just sit down, watch
movies, and wait for the kids to distract me. The only
time I get to relax is while am sleeping.

Activities

Hey folks!
Let’s be honest, this month was all fun and games! And the credit goes to our incredible Culture Club who
did their most to add some spice in the WFH moments.

We started with ‘Let’s Get Quizzicle’ on the 7th of May.

While some of us were racking our brains, two girls made it to the top scorers. Yes, you know who they are,
a big congratulations to Zoe and Cecilia! Wouhouu, talk about acing in general knowledge!

Now, our second activity was the ‘Quarantine Bingo’, held on the 14th! Pumping a good rush of dopamine,
this event really was engaging and fun. After the twists and surprises, we think you guys will agree that we
need to have Quarantine Bingo 2.0, right?

What’s next?
Well, brace yourself for the ‘Rank Interactive Poker Tournament’ on the 4th of June as from 1 pm GMT!
It’s your chance to rise as a poker star for a couple of hours and to seize some awesome prizes:
• First - voucher worth £150 (or local currency equivalent)
• Second - voucher worth £100 (or local currency equivalent)
• Third - voucher worth £50 (or local currency equivalent)

All info about the tournament is in your inbox! Check the email sent on the 19th!

Scott spilling
secrets!

By Scott Aubeeluck

No gossips this time! But I got a better deal. I’ve got my hands on some spicy secrets. Now, i should not let
these secrets out but honey… Did you know that Ella is a die-hard fan of nail polish? There’s no second
week for the same shade! She might have missed on the groceries while shopping but never the polish, no…
never!
Let me introduce you to Koukou, a teddy bear that’s old as time but never dare speak wrong about it in the
presence of Irene! Her bear is more than a teddy. She brings it along during road trips, parties and stayovers.
I’m wondering… does she own the toy, or the toy owns her?
You might know some fans of One Direction, but you will never know a fan like Sheryl! I can call it obsession
but when you love something… going the extra mile is no big deal. Our girl ended up writing a fan fiction
about herself being romantically involved with the band. I’m interested to know how it ends…
Talking about obsessions, who knew that beard obsession was a thing! Chatty Kenny uses all kinds of
nourishing oil to make his, shiny and perfect. For him, if the beard is not perfect, it cannot be seen! Now, you
might be wondering… did he get his beard oils during the lockdown. Nope, he did not… and this is when the
beard failed him and had to be trimmed. So much… for so little :’(
Catch me next month for some more juicy gossips. Because Scott loves to spill the tea!

Ella’s 50 shades nail polish Irene’s BFF - Koukou No fan like Sheryl Kenny’s baby face!

Birthdays
Last month we had not 1 but 10 people who celebrated their birthdays! Can you imagine this?
Yes, you can because we are a big family!

Join me in wishing a Very Happy Birthday to our dear colleagues below:

Jane Goinden-D Sat 02-May
Zayn Mogun Tues 05-May
Bhamini Ramsurun
Ron Purmessur Fri 08-May
Aline Rumbally Sun 17-May
Adriana Ramdowar S Mon 18-May
Cynthia Hector Wed 20-May
Jarine Marie J Tue 26-May
Chelsea Curumthaullee Wed 27-May
Reesha Taucoory Thu 28-May
Thu 28-May

Anniversaries

Let’s bring on a classic here! Last month, our team members celebrated their work anniversaries. Years ago they’ve
joined the SRG family, yet it feels just like yesterday. A big thank you for everything that you’ve done so far. Each
one of you have been an essential part of the organnisation’s sucess and journey.

We wish you all a very Happy Work Anniversary!

Riaan Opperman 11 Years’ of
Service
3 Years’ of
Myra Geerdharry Service

Paige Nullathenby 1 0 Years’ of
Estelle Soopin Service

Grace Sinclair 2 Years’ of
Service
Bob Kissoondhery 9 Years’ of
Kyle Chiniah Service
Dan Coodien

Ron Purmessur 7 Years’ of Jake Mohur 1 Year of
Service Stella Ramdhian Service
Rachel Padayachy

Commiting To Our
Community

Last year, with your help and contributions, we came to the aid of the people of St Benoit School and
Lakaz A in particular. How can we forget the precious moment shared around a Christmas lunch with the
homeless persons of Lakaz A. Or, the smiles of children ready to learn at St Benoit School.

The crisis of this year has surely brought us closer to our families but not everyone has the same privilege.
Could we have stood by and do nothing?

The answer is NO.

Our team, with the help of Lakaz A, worked
together to create essential food packs for these
vulnerable persons. Our team took to the streets of
Port Louis, showed great courage and commitment
to distribute these packs. Our cause managed to
reach around 60 persons. And what do they give
in exchange for these essential items? A honest and
grateful smile with a heartfelt thank you.
Can we do more?

Yes, we can.

Winter is upon us and while we take the cosy and
warm beds for granted, these persons seek the
shelter of the bus stands against the cold wind
and rain with nothing else to protect them. Hence,
we take our stand once again, to get them warm
blankets to help them get through winter.

If you feel that you can contribute in any way to this
campaign, please free to contact us on
[email protected].

Game time
Spot all the UNDERLINE letters in the newsletter for the HANGMAN PARTY on Yammer!

YOUR SUGGESTIONS

If you have any tips and tricks on how we can improve our newsletter, feel free to drop us your feedback and
suggestions on:
[email protected]
If you’d like to share any news or events in our newsletter, we’d be happy to accept any pictures and stories from
charity events or achievements and even fun-filled department events like afternoon tea parties and delicious lunches!

May 2020 | No. 04

Special thanks to everyone
who contributed in the making.