The assessment

We created the MPRB in 1993 in a context of residents' frustration with the authorities. Roche Bois housed a dump that released clouds of smoke from the burning of waste; the Municipality of Port Louis had decided to replace a green space, a children’s playground, a nursery school and a basketball court with a municipal garage; drugs and prostitution were rampant! The protest movement transformed into a movement of proposals and actions, focusing on education and training as means of social integration and fight against poverty. These actions were aimed at and continue to target children, teenagers and parents. We have helped to bring forth "role models," such as Rony Busviah, 2017 laureate, Adriano Dinally and Stevenson Edouard, international kickboxing champions, and Big Frankii among many others.

The Current Challenges

We live in an era where volunteers are becoming increasingly scarce. Parents have transferred their responsibility towards their children, either to schoolteachers or to tablets or mobile phones. Dialogue is gradually disappearing. Drugs is affecting young people, as is the case in many neighborhoods. Verbal and physical violence is becoming the norm, and discipline has almost disappeared. Evolving in such an environment while carrying messages of hope and optimism is truly an obstacle course; sometimes a dialogue of the deaf. But we remain optimistic.

The tangible impacts

Even though a strong focus has always been placed on education, we cannot replace the national education system, despite its flaws. Without any false modesty, we have been able to raise parents' awareness to take a greater interest in their children's education. Today, the number of children completing secondary education has significantly improved. We have worked with the nursery schools of Roche Bois and the neighbouring areas for a smoother transition to primary school. We have initiated the Club de Lecture & Ecriture project to stimulate children's love for reading and writing in order to enhance their concentration in class at school. We have also developed an “Ecole des Parents” to ensure the follow-up of our children beneficiaries. Our program "Zeness La Limier" supports around twenty adolescents aged 12 to 16 in reading and writing, sculpture, drama, cooking, and self-esteem development. This project is the continuation of the former national project supporting street children.

Any regrets?

The situation at the Emmanuel Anquetil school in Roche Bois, where we intervened and bore very positive impacts. In recent years, with the constant changes of directors, interaction with the school is at a standstill. We have, however, arranged with some parents to organize support for about forty children of the school so that they can participate three times a week in the Club de Lecture & Ecriture.

What future directions?

After 30 years, we believe that we should pass the torch to the younger generation; we are pleased to welcome five young people under the age of 35 during the recent leadership renewal of the MPRB. In the same vein, a sociological study led by sociologist Ibrahim Koodoruth and his team on the situation and expectations of the youth in the Roche Bois neighborhood and its surroundings has been initiated. This is meant to develop an appropriate action plan for our future activities on the ground and to readjust our strategy for social integration and the fight against poverty.