Foyer Père Laval
At Foyer Père Laval in Mauritius, we are dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young people through a diverse range of activities and services. We offer educational and recreational school outings, annual camps, and two hours of daily academic support. The centre also provides computer courses and sports activities, sometimes in collaboration with other NGOs, such as basketball, volleyball, football, kickboxing, and trail running. Additionally, participants can explore historical sites on the island and enjoy music lessons for four hours each week. Regular recreational activities include art therapy, with four hours of painting and dancing sessions weekly.
Foyer Père Laval has made an invaluable contribution to social development. Our current objective is to reinvent ourselves to provide better services and guidance to young people, ensuring they receive the best possible support.
- Medical and psychological care: Provided by professionals and volunteers.
- Dedicated attention: Staff focus on listening, continuous presence, and promoting responsibility.
- Future and career guidance: Helping prepare for professional orientation.
- Post-Foyer follow-up: Support available upon request, where possible, to help them integrate into society.
- Spiritual guidance: Offered to support overall well-being.
Beneficiaries: Our services benefit 21 boys aged 5 to 18, who come from broken families and are vulnerable to drugs and delinquency. All of them are enrolled in school, with some attending mainstream education, while others are in pre-vocational and specialised schools. Among them, four boys aged 16-17 are currently employed.
Foyer Père Laval has a rich history that began on April 11, 1939, when it welcomed its first orphan. The initiative was driven by the compassionate heart of a young English Spiritan vicar, Father Hearn. In October 1959, the home was renamed "Foyer Père Laval" and housed 40 residents. To meet the needs of the youth, financial assistance was sought from business leaders, factories, and other entities.
Between 1961 and 1967, the Foyer was under the care of Father Robert Giraud. Following his tenure, a succession of priests managed the home until 1975, when the Brothers of St. Gabriel were sent by religious congregations from France, among others. They managed the Foyer until 2017, fostering a genuine family spirit through attentive care and shared activities.
Currently, the Foyer has a staff of 20 individuals providing care and support to 21 residents. It is managed by a director and overseen by a committee under the responsibility of Vicar General Father Jean-Maurice Labour. With its 85 years of existence, the Foyer faced the brink of closure in 2023 due to financial constraints and operational standards not aligning with United Nations norms. The government authorities were informed of the numerous challenges faced by the Foyer.
- To provide a safe and secure environment for troubled youth.
- To promote holistic development and foster psychological, mental, and physical well-being.
- To encourage responsibility and train youth to be responsible and self-reliant.
- To support the youngsters towards building a brighter future for themselves.
- To ensure comfort and growth by providing the beneficiaries with opportunities for physical and recreational activities, educational support, and guidance from trained personnel to promote good physical and mental development.
Vision
Inspired by Father Laval, the Foyer aims to be a home where children can thrive and develop into upright individuals according to God's plan. Our vision is for our youth to become responsible and autonomous citizens.
Mission
- To address the children’s physical and emotional needs through comprehensive care and support.
- To emphasise a child-centred approach and prioritise the best interests of the children in all our decisions and actions.
- To provide holistic education by offering academic, religious, and human education to help children realise their full potential and contribute to society.
- To respect cultural and religious diversity and uphold the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of each child.
- To serve as positive role models to guide children towards prosperous and responsible adulthood.
Values
We instil in our children the following values:
- Respect: We welcome, protect, and treat every human being with dignity.
- Integrity: We are sincere and honest in all our relationships.
- Dedication: We give our best to create a harmonious living environment.
- Fraternity: We support and share with one another.
- Kindness: We seek the well-being and happiness of others with kindness.
Foyer Père Laval is financed by the NSIF (National Social Inclusion Foundation).