Fondation Georges Charles
Fondation Georges Charles Mauritius is dedicated to catering for intellectually disabled children and young adults. The primary focus is to promote their integration into society through comprehensive education and training programmes. The organisation also provides specialised education and skill development to help pupils reach their full potential. By equipping them with the necessary skills, the organisation aims to enable them to eventually join the labour market and lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion Foundation: N/1053
In view of attaining its goal the Fondation Georges Charles offers the following services:
Technical Side (focus on enhancing the children's inner creativity)
- A woodcraft workshop
- A needlecraft workshop (mainly for girls)
- A unit for Autistic children and young children
- An Art & Craft Academy
Academic Side
- A unit for light mentally impaired children aged 4 to 6 years
- 2 units for children aged between 7 to 13 years
- One junior class
- A remedial Education Class
Sports Activities
- Some children are being trained in specific sports like swimming, racing at national levels as representatives for international competitions, football.
Integrated Education (activities to be implemented):
- Cooking (where some pupils are trained in basic cooking works)
- A vegetable garden
- A music unit (to be developed for musical therapy)
- A percussion class
The story of Fondation Georges Charles began in 1982 when a French industrialist, Bernard Desmedt, arrived in Mauritius to work in the free trade zone. Uncertain about how to care for his two disabled children, François and Gauthier, he turned to the Diocese of Port-Louis for assistance. Brother Antonio suggested that the family move into a small house overlooking the sea at Pointe aux Sables and transform it into a school. In 1986, the foundation was officially registered and named Georges Charles, after the grandparents of its first two students.
Today, the centre has grown significantly and now includes a woodworking workshop, ten classrooms, a computer centre, a music room, and an art expression room where members learn jewellery making, painting, bookbinding, and more. Every day, students share meals prepared in an on-site, fully equipped kitchen.
“We have gradually improved our school thanks to the support of various enterprises. When I started 32 years ago, we raised chickens and rabbits, peeled “soussou” for dumpling vendors, and sold cloth and thread to keep the centre running,” recalls Alain Grancourt, who came from Rodrigues to work in the hospitality industry but decided to stay at the centre after a few days of volunteering.
At Fondation Georges Charles, our primary objective is to promote the autonomy and social integration of intellectually disabled children and young adults. We are committed to providing high-quality education tailored to the unique needs of our students.
- Expansion of the facility to accommodate the growing demand for our services and provide better care for our students.
- Construction of a craft boutique to sell our own handmade products, showcasing the skills of our students and generating additional funds for the foundation.
- Establishment of two specialised classes in 2006, recognised by the Ministry of Education, to cater to the specific educational needs of our students.
- Creation of a children's playground with the help of generous donors.
- Renovation of our existing building with the support of donors.
- Built a modern, fully equipped kitchen with donor assistance.
- Revival of the woodworking section, offering practical skills training and opportunities for our students to create and learn.
Our funding is sourced from a combination of government support and generous contributions from our benefactors. Specifically, 40% of our budget comes from government grant-in-aid, while the remaining funds are provided by our donors and proceeds from our Flag Day events.