The atmosphere was really cheerful as the children who were aligned on both sides sang a welcome song as she passed by.· In a brief speech René Sanson described the work of SOS Children’s Villages Mauritius and highlighted that “we are not confined to residential care but have expanded our services in childcare to include Family Strengthening Programme, and recently an Education Learning Centre has started offering education and support to needy families in disadvantaged areas”.

The most interesting part was the children’s show to the delight of the special visitor with songs and poems. Everyone was so touched Yumi, one of the SOS youth aged 19, interpreted “Here I am”, the SOS song for child protection. Honourable Minister (Mrs) Sheilabhai Bappoo was manifestly happy to see a picture when she was holding Yumi as a baby in arm.

A bouquet was presented to her by one of our small child, Stephanie who was clad in a Singaporean dress on that occasion.

Jean Noël Abellard of SOS Children’s Villages Mauritius succeeds at the Cambridge Higher School Certificate

Jean Noël Abellard was admitted to SOS Children’s Village together with his brother and sister when he was one year old.· He has now turned 20 years old and is the eldest child in the village showing leadership and guidance towards the younger children.· Jean Noël still remembers his SOS family of house number one with whom he shared some good memories. He is very thankful to the love and care of his late SOS mother, Josiane who played a critical role in his up-bringing for he has now grown up into a young and responsible youth.

Jean Noël is among the first SOS children who reached higher level in his studies.··· He succeeded his Higher School Certificate examinations with flying colours.· He is now working as cashier in a fast-food and will soon start courses at the University of Mauritius. His ambition is to graduate in Social Work or Human Resource Management.

“I will always remember what SOS Children’s Village has done for me. I would like to work for the organization one day in recognition for this” said Jean Noël.

Even though Jean Noël is now almost independent he will still receive the support of SOS Children’s Village for his university studies and to acquire a house.

 European Union Grant Non-Formal Pre-Vocational Training

The European Union awards a EUR 64,800 grant to SOS Children’s Villages Mauritius for the implementation of a non-formal pre-vocational training facility for needy adolescents.

His Excellency, Mr. Alessandro Mariani, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius, effected the award to SOS Children’s Villages Mauritius, and three other NGOs, having successfully competed for the call for proposals under the European Union Thematic Programme “Non State Actors and Local Authorities in development”.

The objective of the action is to provide individualised non-formal pre-vocational training to needy adolescents thereby developing interest in basic technical or pre-vocational education targeting mainly students who have not succeeded the Certificate of Primary Education.

The project will be implemented in two phases; the first one consisting of the construction of a training facility at SOS Children’s Villages Bambous using transformed containers.· The second phase consists of delivering pre-vocational training in various fields including woodwork, painting, craft, plumbing and electricity. However, another key component of the programme will be the support to participants and their families in order to address underlying obstacles linked to poverty and behavior change.

The programme will be opened to the adolescents of community at large and not only to Black River District.

• Target audience: boys and girls below the age of 18
• Start date: around October 2011
• Fields: basic trades (electricity, painting, candle makingetc.)
• Duration and time: maximum of 2 hours per session, once weekly in the afternoon over a period of around 3 months
• Support: include facility for transport, material assistance and other family support
• Methodology: informal, flexible, based on participants’ individual potential and needs, self-esteem building

Contact person: Jefferson Manal (Office: 464 8979, mobile: 740 5913)