The Overseas Mauritian Society

TOMS Newsletter – February Edition

Mel — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:30:21 +0000

Fundraising And Networking Drinks With The Overseas Mauritian Society

Mel — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:12:13 +0000

The trustees of The Overseas Mauritian Society would like to invite you to their fund raising event and networking drinks. All fundsraised on the evening will be donated to the Mauritius Red Cross Society to assist victims ofthe recent floods in Mauritius. The Trustees will also give you an update on the children’s charity ‘La Maison Coeur Ecoute’ and the progress being made.

Date: Friday 3 rd May 2013 at 7pm ‐ 11pm
Venue: The Oriental Club, Stratford House, Stratford Place, London, W1C 1ES
Dress Code: Smart casual (No denim or trainers permitted)

A cash bar will be available on the night

RSVP to theoverseasmauritiansociety@gmail.com

Priorité à l’enquête sociale

pjadmin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:16:14 +0000

04 Apr 2013
Suite aux inondations du 30 mars, les volontaires de Caritas sont sur le terrain pour recenser précisément les dégâts subis par environ 400 familles. Six localités prioritaires ont été désignées, mais l’enquête sociale se poursuit au-delà, notamment à Tranquebar et à Pointe-aux-Sables. Rencontre avec Aurore Moutenot de Caritas et Maxwell Moonsawmy du Mouvement Social Débarcadère, à Pointe-aux-Sables.

Derrière les logements NHDC de la Tourelle, le système de drainage qui longe les champs de cannes à sucre s’arrête net… au milieu de nulle part et l’eau se déverse dans les quartiers en contrebas, qui se situent déjà près d’une zone marécageuse et sous le niveau de mer !

Mercredi 3 avril, les travailleurs sociaux Aurore Moutenot et Maxwell Moonsawmy constataient que des travaux de canalisation avaient débuté sur place. Trop tard pour les habitants de Stella Lane et de la rue de l’Empereur inondés le 30 mars.

Nadine Mosses a entassé devant sa maison tous ses biens endommagés : matelas, canapé, frigidaire, vêtements… Les commissions qu’elle avait achetées pour la fête de Pâques et la ration du mois à venir sont perdues… Les enfants de Nadine Mosses n’ont pas changé de vêtements depuis samedi et son fils a failli être écrasé sous les portes de l’armoire totalement gondolée et attachée avec des cordes. Chez son voisin Alexis Presley, même constat de désolation.

Rue Stella, une odeur de brûlé flotte dans l’air, les habitants font le ménage et mettent le feu à leur matelas et leurs linges boueux.

« Avec la collaboration du Mouvement Social Débarcadère, nous avons rempli des formulaires pour 152 familles qui ont subis des dégâts à Pointe-aux-Sables et plus précisément à Terrasson, Firinga et Débarcadère. Toutes ont aussi fait une déclaration à la police », précise Aurore Moutenot de Caritas, « une quinzaine de familles ont été très fortement affectées par la boue et l’eau, qui a traversé leur maison de part en part, à cinquante centimètres de haut. Nous avons donné au maximum de familles un premier secours d’urgence alimentaire ».

A Cassis

Au quartier général de Caritas, installé dans la salle paroissiale en face de l’église de Cassis, plus d’une centaine de volontaires et des scouts sont venus prêter main forte ces trois derniers jours. Leurs missions : nettoyer les maisons à Canal Dayot, Sable Noir et Anse Courtois mais aussi trier les amoncellements de linge reçu en donation.

« La priorité c’est de ramener les informations du terrain, en faisant du porte-à-porte pour visiter chaque famille affectée », répète Patricia Adèle Félicité aux coordinateurs de chaque quartier, « il faut déterminer ce qu’ils ont perdu avec précision, y compris les équipements de cuisine (sinon les familles ne pourront pas cuisiner les denrées des colis alimentaires !) et le matériel scolaire, déterminer leur situation sociale, préciser le niveau de rénovation nécessaire dans chaque logement voire évaluer si la situation nécessite d’envisager une relocalisation de la famille, s’enquérir si le ménage avait une assurance et s’il a déjà reçu de l’aide, ajouter si les personnes souffrent d’un problème médical suite aux intempéries… Pour Caritas, la crédibilité des informations collectées sur le terrain dans le formulaire type est essentielle ! ».

Pour aider Caritas à constituer une base de données, la Mauritius Employers Federation a même dépêché un statisticien sur place, à Cassis. Et toutes les familles après être passées à la police doivent se faire enregistrer auprès de Caritas, en appelant le 499 8494 ou le 255 8494, en attendant une visite à domicile des travailleurs sociaux.

Pour aider Caritas Cassis, Tel : 213 5278

Flood Donation Appeal

Mel — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:13:03 +0000

In response to the severe flooding that has affected Mauritius, The Overseas Mauritian Society is launching an appeal to help the people of Mauritius who have lost their belongings in this tragic event.

We are raising funds for the Mauritius Red Cross Society to support the affected families.

Please donate any sum you can so that we can help to regenerate our vibrant island.

By Paypal – theoverseasmauritiansociety@gmail.com.

Online Donations For The Overseas Mauritian Society

Or our account details are:

Name of account holder: The Overseas Mauritian Society

Bank: The Co-operative Bank

A/c number: 65543735

Sort code: 089299

If transfer from outside UK, please add the following IBAN number:

IBAN :GBCPBI08929965543735

By Paypal – theoverseasmauritiansociety@gmail.com

Please notify us if you are a UK resident (by email), as this will enable us to reclaim gift aid hence grossing up your donation by 25%.

If you have any questions please email us at: theoverseasmauritiansociety@gmail.com

Imperial College Mauritian Student Society Independence Party

Mel — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:59:24 +0000

Dr Bunwaree guest speaker at The Imperial College Mauritian Student Union

TOMS – 1st Year Anniversary Celebration

Mel — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:42:59 +0000

At Barkly Primary School

Mel — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:12:59 +0000

À l’école du partage

Depuis le 30 octobre, les élèves en difficulté de l’école primaire de Barkly ont un nouveau toit pour les accueillir. Ces enfants reçoivent de quoi manger avant les classes grâce à l’association Cœur-Ecoute, fondée par Mary Jolicoeur. Il y a un an, cette dernière a lancé “Kontan lekol, sa mem nou simin la limyer”, un projet de petit-déjeuner pour les enfants démunis de l’école. Reportage.

Il est 10h30. L’arrière-cour de la Maison Cœur-Ecoute est déjà bondée d’enfants. Ce samedi à Cité Barkly, des cris résonnent le long de la rue des Azalées. Quatre-vingts mômes excités se sont réunis pour fêter une occasion spéciale. Les gamins attendent avec impatience qu’on coupe le ruban devant l’entrée de la maisonnette. À l’intérieur, se cache un trésor : le vécu de ses enfants, tel qu’ils l’ont relaté avec leurs crayons de couleurs. Collés au mur, des dizaines de dessins illustrant leur passage à Cœur-Ecoute.

L’heure est enfin arrivée. Une fois à l’intérieur, Zidane cherche désespérément ses dessins. Ceux de son frère Emilio, au centre du mur, ont fière allure. Voitures, bateaux, arbres, maisons : autant d’esquisses baignant dans une même harmonie. Sur le visage de ces artistes en herbe, on peut lire une fierté non dissimulée. Un instant de gloire tant espéré.

Haillons.

Le projet a accueilli au début 29 enfants, nombre qui est passé à 80 en une année. Enfants qui arrivent à l’école, vêtus de haillons et portant souvent des chaussures en mauvais état. Pour eux, un petit-déjeuner avant de venir à l’école relève du luxe. Et pour certains, rien à manger pendant toute la journée.

Choquée par la gravité de la situation, Mary Jolicoeur décide de mettre en place un projet qui consiste à offrir un petit-déjeuner à ces enfants. Sa façon à elle de soulager leur quotidien. C’est ainsi que “Kontan lekol, sa mem simin la limyer” voit le jour.

Chaque matin, ces bambins de la Barkly Government School se rassemblent dans l’enceinte de la grotte de Notre Dame du Grand Pouvoir, juxtaposée à l’école. Un petit casse-croûte leur est offert. Au début, ils ne sont que trois volontaires à aider à remplir le ventre d’une vingtaine d’enfants. “Madame Jolicoeur est devenue une deuxième maman pour nous”, confie timidement le petit Nathanaël qui, comme ses petits camarades, arbore un large sourire en arrivant à l’école.

Préjugés.

Au fil des mois, de nombreux obstacles sont cependant venus perturber le projet, au grand dam de Mary. À peine quelques semaines après le lancement, des difficultés ont surgi : manque d’eau, pas d’électricité, pas de téléphone… Mary ne baisse pourtant pas les bras. En octobre 2009, son association obtient temporairement un local situé non loin de l’école, à la rue des Lauriers.

“On ne peut juger un enfant sans connaître son histoire personnelle. Quand un gamin se présente tôt le matin et vous raconte que la veille, il a partagé son dîner à trois, il serait inhumain de lui refuser une part de plus. Il y a définitivement un travail additionnel à faire contre les préjugés.” Le nombre grandissant d’enfants à la recherche d’un repas est géré au jour le jour. Mais Mary s’indigne que les habitants de la cité ne lui facilitent pas la tâche. Les rumeurs circulent : on prétend même que Mary nourrit plutôt les vices que les ventres de ces enfants. Mais elle a choisi de ne pas se laisser abattre par ces vilenies.

Évasion.

Les enfants dont s’occupe Cœur-Ecoute viennent de milieux défavorisés. Ils sont souvent livrés à eux-mêmes et peuvent facilement être la proie de cercles vicieux liés à la drogue ou l’alcool.

C’est donc une lutte acharnée que mène Cœur-Ecoute. “Nous ne pouvons pas les aider éternellement”, avoue Mary. Elle précise d’ailleurs que ce projet est avant tout un coup de pouce pour ces enfants et permet un tant soit peu d’alléger leurs problèmes.

L’association a choisi pourtant de multiplier les activités destinées aux enfants. Mary leur organise ainsi des rencontres pendant les vacances scolaires. Des sorties sont prévues et donnent aux gamins l’occasion de s’évader de leur sombre quotidien. Des moments de loisirs pour vivre ensemble un nouvel espoir.

Espoir.

Pour les membres de Cœur-Ecoute, l’obtention du local à la rue des Azalées constitue une réelle motivation pour continuer le projet. Les enfants peuvent désormais suivre des cours de cuisine et sont initiés à plusieurs activités éducatives.

Mary projette aussi de mettre en place des séances de partage avec les parents pour renforcer le lien avec les enfants. “Les gens ont tendance à se braquer dès que l’on mentionne le mot formation. Mère de cinq enfants moi-même, je veux partager ma propre expérience avec les autres parents, leur transmettre un certain savoir pour qu’ils puissent eux aussi tisser une relation très forte avec leurs proches.”

Flambeau.

Mary rêve de pouvoir travailler avec le ministère de la Femme et d’autres ONG. Du moins celles qui n’ont pas de préjugés. “Chaque enfant a son histoire. Ceux qui ont un problème, je le vois dans leur regard le matin. Et je prends le temps de parler avec l’enfant pour pouvoir mieux l’aider”, souligne-t-elle.

En attendant, Mary Jolicoeur continue sa lutte pour donner une lueur d’espoir à Nathanaël, Zidane, Emilio et les autres. Car demain, ce sont eux qui reprendront le flambeau.

Mary Jolicoeur – The Fairy Godmother Of Barkly Children

Mel — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:24:30 +0000

Mary Jolicoeur – Spokesperson Of ‘La maison Coeur-Ecoute

Woman with a golden heart, this is the best way we can describe Mary Jolicoeur. Spokesperson of the association ‘La maison Coeur-Ecoute’, Mary strives heart and soul for the cause of deprived children of Cite Barkly.

Wife and mother of five, Mary does not hesitate to leave her home early every morning to welcome the less fortunate children at the association seat to offer them a proper breakfast and a meal to take to school.

Mary’s goal is also to empower Barkly women through ‘Coeur-Ecoute’ by valuing their talents and capacities. “God does not remain deaf to the helping cry of children. The cause of children is the greatest cause,” said Mary.

She touched our hearts with her boundless generosity and we stood in admiration before her courage and will power. Indeed, Mrs Mary Jolicoeur is an exemplary woman who strives for what she believes in. “The idea to start the association came when I was working as Liaison Officer at Barkly school.

A child told me that he had not eaten in the morning and came to school with an empty stomach. I was deeply touched and I decided to not remain indifferent. A woman who used to occupy a small grotto near the school proposed to grant us the space. And on the 5th May 2009 together with the help people of the area, I started giving food to children.

With time, as the number of children increased we had to find another location and the project of ‘La maison Coeur-Ecoute’, with the motto “Kontan lekol, sa mem simin la limyer”, explained Mary.

More determined than ever to improve the lives of the children and their parents, Mary renovated an abandoned house at Azalées Street, registered the association and her dream project materialised. Many volunteers approached Mary when they saw the fabulous work she was doing for the children of their locality.

“I also approached many women who didn’t even know about the alarming situation in their region. Instead of staying at home, those women decided to come at the association and give a helping hand. There are now eight women who come every morning to help serve give breakfast to the children,” said Mary.

With six children at the beginning, Mary now welcomes one hundred and fifty children at the association every early morning. With so many children, the budget is one of the most important factors which helps in the good-running of the association.

Thanks to the help of private firms and kind-hearted people all around Mauritius, Mary can give some breakfast, which is considered as a luxury to those children who come from a hostile environment.

“Our association is like a community development where every single person of the locality feels concerned. A woman will prepare some pudding; another will prepare some pancakes to give to the children.

Every help is precious and there is a real sense of solidarity in the community here,” proudly said Mary. Her aim is to bring progress and development to Barkly, not only to the children but to the parents especially the mothers. “We help mothers get out of their homes and acquire knowledge.

For example we have literacy courses every Wednesday for mothers. A handicraft centre will also be available as from this month to the mothers and women of the locality to assist them in developing their handicraft talents. Since a year women and mothers also benefit from aerobic classes every Saturday morning,” Mary told us.

Mary feels happy and complete in her association and it is a day to day struggle for her. She has the firm intention to fight juvenile delinquency.

“But the tragedy is family instability that affects many homes here,” she confides. However, Mary strives to stop the children from hanging around the streets where they can easily fall prey to vicious circles related to drugs or alcohol. She points out that children benefit from the service of a psychologist who comes every Thursday.

“We still have a lot to do but it’s a passionate work. We need more support to for example help children who don’t have the means to go to school.”

Advocate of women’s cause

Mary’s penchant for social work was triggered by the women’s cause. “I believe that a woman must be empowered. She has also to fulfill her responsibilities and at the same time find the right balance. A woman has to have her own space to develop herself,” argues Mary. She believes in sex equality but on the decision making point of view.

As she avers “women must have their say when it comes to decision making. I’ve seen many cases where women have to submit themselves and stay quiet. So, I trust that a woman must show her capacity. A liberated woman is someone who has opening on her home, her children, her locality, her country…”

According to her, “women must protect women. Instead of backbiting each other we must see what we can do to help each other. This is the best way we can protect each other.” Mary feels proud when she tells us how she used to encourage her friends to become independent and open their own workshop when she was working in a factory in her younger days.

“Now they live in France and have their own sewing businesses,” she confides. One of her objectives through ‘Coeur-Ecoute’ is to empower women and help them become independent by putting their skills at the disposal of the association.

Since her childhood, Mary is involved in social work and she always had this helping and serving spirit. To her, her greatest satisfaction is “the fact that people appreciate and value my work. The children feel at ease and at home when they come at Coeur-Ecoute.

They feel the warmth and the love we have here.” Mary and her volunteers not only give food to the children but they inculcate life values in them. “We teach children how to be polite. Good morning, Thank you, Good bye, Have a nice day… these are important values,” she highlights.

Mary is deep clown confident in her heart that many children will take the reins of the association when she will not be able to. “Many children have now this spirit for social work and they greatly appreciate the work we do. Some of them have already told that they will take care of ‘Coeur-Ecoute’ when I’ll not be able to and I know they can do it,” she happily said.

Undoubtedly Mary has touched many hearts and has triggered this sense of community and help in Cite Barkly. “If you have the will you can get people out of their obscurity. Now I am very proud and happy to see many of the children, who came to Coeur-Ecoute, growing and treading the right path. They have found their ‘simin la limyer’,” she said with a big smile.

Mary’s message to the youth is, ‘Let’s pick up the taste for social work again. Let’s take care of our community and give it back its value. We have so many talents here and many positive aspects which must be taken into consideration. It’s us who are on the right way to aid people to get out of those harsh situations.’

Mary feels proud to be a Mauritian and cherish the Mauritian diversity. “I witness the generosity of the Mauritian people through ‘Coeur-Ecoute’ and I feel really proud. People regardless of religion, faith or community help us. Let’s keep the precious gift of community diversity that we have.

Together we can do extraordinary things.” Mary encourages people to follow the philosophy of J.F Kennedy “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what can you do for your country.”

About – La Maison Coeur-Ecoute de Barkly

Mel — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:43:13 +0000

Details of Organisation

Name of NGO/Non State Actor: La Maison Coeur-Ecoute de Barkly

Address: 11, Geranium street, Residence Barkly, BEAU BASSIN

Activities and Description of NGO/Non State Actor: NGO

Vision: Reduce poverty and improve the situation of the unprivileged children. Provide pedagogical and moral support to them. Help them to regain their self esteemed and be confident.

Mission: Supporting an inclusive and integrated approach to sustain the education and social integration of deprived children of Barkly in Beau Bassin. Provide breakfast daily before going to school and ensure that each of them has got a lunch. Improve relationship between child-child/ child-teacher/ and child-parent. Organize socio-cultural activities, gatherings and outings and inform them of their rights

Objectives of the project:

* Continue to provide breakfast to the neediest children of the locality

* Integrate children into action proposed in a spirit of equal opportunity

* Socialize the parents/children through community activities

* Collaborate with socio-cultural agencies

* Accompany the child in accordance with the ethical rules of the Organization

* Generate in children a desire to participate in the social life of Residence Barkly

* Show the children the possibilities of environment

* Enhancing the role of parents in participating in activities in the partnership

Health and Welfare

Health has an enormous impact on education. But with the help of volunteers, social partners, and the Government, we are firmly convinced that a healthy and adequate nutrition could make easier the access to education for a child, and increases its chances of staying in school.

Consequently, the child communicates with others constructively. With a better pedagogical and moral support, the child learns to respect differences such as –philosophical, religious, physical, cultural, social, gender, self and other.

The child incorporates the rules of common life during activities. The child acquires a better knowledge.

We wish to inform also that on Saturday’s there are volunteer teachers for additional education support to children in need. So, on that day lunch is being provided. Once per week we organize a meeting with the youngsters for various activities, and to create awareness, and they also participate in pedagogical outings.

Through the work and support of the Organization, 150 (one hundred and fifty) children ageing from 05 to 16 years have found a voice. Sculpture courses are given to children twice a week by Mr Dick Lewis and on each Saturday there is slam class by Jamel Colin.

Government Website Launched To Help Aid Community Groups

Mel — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:02:02 +0000

The government has launched a new website aimed at promoting community ownership of local amenities.

The Community Rights website has been launched by the Communities and Local Government department before regulations on community ownership come into force next month.

The site highlights changes in the law intended to help community groups take over buildings or public services, or build new facilities through an abridged planning process.

The website also includes case studies and maps of schemes where community groups took over the running of buildings or services or been involved in designing a new development.

The Community Right to Bid, which comes into force on 27 June, will mean that community groups can bid to purchase buildings such as pubs, shops or libraries deemed to be of value to the community.

The Community Right to Challenge, which is enacted on the same date, gives voluntary and community groups, parish councils and groups of council or fire service staff the ability to bid to take over county and district council and fire authority services.

The Community Right to Build, which came into effect last month, means community groups can build new homes or amenities without going through the normal town planning process.

The final change, neighbourhood planning, which also came into force last month, allows communities to prepare development plans for their area and grant planning permission to schemes.