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Caritas Ile Maurice

Caritas Mauritius is dedicated to supporting individuals in precarious situations, the poor, and the excluded through community development, training, and income-generating projects. Their vision emphasises the integral development of the individual, aiming to restore dignity and build a just and unified community. Caritas Mauritius is guided by values rooted in the Church’s social mission: compassion, hope, dignity, equality, justice, solidarity, partnership, subsidiarity, service, and stewardship.

 

Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion Foundation: NCSRF/2017/0304

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Services offered

Caritas Mauritius envisions integral and holistic development for every person.

 

Management Members:

  • President: Guyto Devalet
  • Vice-President: Thierry Godere
  • Treasurer: Sylvain Pascal
  • Assistant Treasurer: Richard Arlove
  • Secretary: Marie-Annick Auguste
  • Assistant Secretary: Virginie Deschamp
  • Members: Gerard Anodin, Joanna Ferdinand, Melwyn Madelon, Rojanne Bibi, Marie Noelle Meyepa, Mario Mamet
  • Bishop's Representative: Patrick D'Arifat
  • Secretary-General: Patricia Adele Félicité

 

 

Services Offered

  • Accompaniment and Development
    • Emergency Relief: Cursley Goindoorajoo, Tel: 212 3910
    • 46 Listening and Development Services (SEAD): Pascal Herry/Brijitte François, Tel: 212 3910
    • 17 Early Childhood Centres & 2 Daycare Centres: Marie-Anne Legallant, Tel: 212 3910
    • Community Agricultural Farm: Patricia Hurdoyal, Tel: 670 3953
    • Lakaz L’Espwar (Solitude): Christiane Pasnin, Tel: 261 6277
    • Aid and support for the sick

 

  • Training Services
    • Functional Literacy (40 accredited centres): Josian Labonté, Tel: 212 2772
    • Life Skills Management: Jennifer Léopold, Tel: 212 2772
    • Canne en Fleurs Training Centre: Pointe aux Piments, Tel: 261 8488
    • Centre of Learning (Barkly, Beau Bassin), Tel: 464 1262
    • Technical Workshop (Rivière Noire), Tel: 483 1528
    • House Technician School (Rivière Noire), Tel: 483 5323
    • Music Workshop (Beau Bassin), Tel: 464 1262
    • School Support
    • Active Listening

 

  • Housing Services
    • Night Shelter (Port-Louis): Tel: 242 9030; (Plaines Wilhems): Tel: 464 5469
    • Relais Espérance (Maison Abbé Pierre, Pointe aux Piments): Tel: 261 2770
    • Housing Aid Fund: Cursley Goindoorajoo, Tel: 212 3910

 

Caritas Mauritius directly benefits over 15,000 people each year, with an additional 80,000 individuals indirectly supported. This is made possible through the efforts of 1,147 volunteers, 252 compensated volunteers, and 28 full-time staff members.

History

Established in May 1965, Caritas Ile Maurice was envisioned by its founders as "a work where Charity would embody both dedication and competence." Initially, Caritas focused on emergency relief efforts. This was crucial during the post-independence period in 1968, when many families found themselves in distress due to a severe unemployment crisis and various calamities affecting the country.

 

In 2001, following the Diocesan Synod, the Preferential Option for the Poor became the primary focus of the Diocese of Port Louis. Today, with the support of the diocese and its 47 parishes, Caritas Ile Maurice operates through 52 branches. The mission of Caritas is to rehabilitate the poor, the excluded, and the oppressed with acts of love and proximity. This is achieved by welcoming, listening, visiting, and supporting them, helping them regain their dignity and build a just and united community.

 

With over 60 years of experience in serving the disadvantages members of the community, Caritas Ile Maurice is now a solidary network comprising more than a thousand volunteers. Together, they serve around 80,000 beneficiaries across 52 locations throughout the island.

Objectives
  • We aim to offer aid and support wherever there is a need, without any national or religious discrimination. Our assistance can be direct or indirect, moral or material, financial or otherwise, regardless of the beneficiaries' philosophical or religious beliefs.
  • We strive to ensure the provision of social training services, community development, and coordination of grassroots social activities.
  • We stimulate and support the creation of special relief projects, promote their development, facilitate their operation, and participate in them as needed.
  • We serve as a liaison between NGOs and government authorities on socio-charitable matters.
Main achievements
  • 46 Listening, Support, and Development Services (SEAD) Nationwide: Providing essential services across the country.
  • Two Night Shelters: Each shelter has a capacity of 30 residents, offering safe accommodations.
  • Functional Literacy Centres: Available in neighbourhoods and workplaces to enhance literacy skills.
  • Relais Espérance, Maison Abbé Pierre at Pointe-aux-Piments: This facility accommodates 4 families at a time for rehabilitation and housing assistance.
  • Professional Pastry and Culinary Training Centre: Offering specialised training in pastry and professional cooking.
  • Early Childhood Development Centres: Operating 17 centres for young children and 2 nurseries in impoverished areas.
  • Community Gardens: Established in Curepipe and Solitude to promote sustainable living.
  • Caritas Housing Fund: Providing materials for construction completion, repairs, or loans for accessing decent housing (over 600 families helped in 20 years).
  • Lakaz Lespwar: A concept that integrates Caritas' best practices in one location (Solitude).
Sources of funding
  • Grant-in-aid for Early Childhood Development Centres and Night Shelters.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funding.
  • Own Funds such as contributions from members.