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Lizie dan Lamain - Union des Aveugles de l'Ile Maurice

For nearly 40 years, Lizie dan Lamain has been dedicated to supporting blind and visually impaired children through specialised education, managing a school that offers pre-primary and primary level education. The organisation provides essential services such as Braille instruction, which teaches the critical reading and writing system for the visually impaired, and orientation and mobility training, guiding students in using white canes to navigate their surroundings safely. After their primary education, children are integrated into mainstream secondary education with the assistance of a "Support Teacher" who helps them navigate their new environment.

 

Operating Hours

  • Forest Side (Lizie dan Lamain Centre):
    • Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Saturday: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Other Units (Flacq and Rivière des Anguilles):
    • Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Secondary School Support Teachers:

Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

 

Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion Foundation: NCSRF/2017/0486

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Services offered

Each beneficiary is unique, and the education provided is tailored to their specific needs and learning pace. We offer individualised academic assistance and specialised teachers for primary and pre-primary levels. All services are provided free of charge every day of the week, with Braille classes available on Saturday mornings.

 

Additional Activities:

  • Sports
  • Computer Courses
  • Braille Transcription: Transcription of textbooks and other documents into Braille.
  • Mobility and Orientation Training: Including white cane training.
  • Handicraft Training: Basket weaving.
  • Family Therapy
  • Life Skills Courses: Cooking, housekeeping, gardening, judo.
  • Talks and Conferences

 

Our Beneficiaries: We serve visually impaired and blind individuals (adults and children) of all ages in need of academic education. Currently, we have 116 beneficiaries, and 31 family members involved.

History

In 1981, declared the International Year of Disabled Persons by the United Nations, a group of 4-5 blind friends, including Mr. Reynolds Permal, regularly met to play music. Known as the "Blind Group," they began to gain recognition for their music and started to include visually impaired individuals as well in the group.

 

The group was frequently invited to perform at events organised by the public and private sectors, bringing attention to the cause of the blind and visually impaired through public performances. They used these opportunities to spread their message: "Don't pity us, just love us!"

 

The group also started incorporating other activities for its members, especially in sports and education, facilitating access to certain courses. To formalize its activities and better structure the group, it was registered as an association in 1982 under the name "Lizie dan Lamain," referring to the white cane.

 

The search for a dedicated space for the group's activities culminated in the construction of a facility in Forest-Side in 2000. In 1995, they launched a primary school for blind and visually impaired individuals, following the standard curriculum with textbooks transcribed into Braille and large print.

 

The sports practiced by the members of Lizie dan Lamain gained international recognition, leading to numerous affiliations with local and international organisations, including the African Union of the Blind, the World Blind Union, and the Francophone Blind Union.

 

To align with these organisations and strengthen its international recognition, the NGO is now called "Lizie dan Lamain, Union des Aveugles de Maurice."

Objectives

The activities of Lizie dan Lamain aim to continuously support individuals with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments (partial or total), to achieve autonomy and integrate more effectively into society. Our objectives include:

  • Rehabilitation: Assisting blind and visually impaired individuals in everyday activities to enhance their independence.
  • Education and Training: Providing diverse educational and training opportunities to promote self-reliance and boost self-esteem.
  • Social Reintegration: Helping beneficiaries reintegrate into society, ensuring they lead fulfilling and independent lives.
Main achievements
  • Achieved a 90% success rate in the PSAC 2018 examinations, which is 15% higher than the national average.
Sources of funding
  • Private CSR Funds
  • State Funds: Contributions from various government ministries, including Education, Social Security, and Sports.