Annual Report

Summary of SOS Children’s Villages work in Mauritius in 2011

 

Generally, the economic and social situation of Mauritius has not improved in 2011.  On the economic front, the GDP growth rate of the country has been around 4%.  The economic concerns are serious as the country is heavily dependent on Europe for income from trade. The unemployed rate was around 7.8%, affecting mostly females (58%) and those with low academic qualifications.  The Government has responded with appropriate policies to mitigate the impact of the world economic crisis on the Mauritian shore.  

…challenges include housing, substance abuse…

Despite the difficult economic situation that prevailed in 2011, the government has maintained and even consolidated social programmes for the needy.  For instance, last years’ expenditure on education is estimated at about 12.5% of total government expenditure.  The Gross Enrolment ratios (number of student per 100) in schools for pre-primary and primary education are above 97%.  However, the pass rates at the primary and secondary levels remain a major concern.  Also, social welfare programme, training and empowerment programme were maintained.  The main challenges of the country include housing, substance abuse, alcohol consumption, gambling, indebtedness, casual employment, inadequate family income and feminisation of poverty. 

 

… 1069 needy children were supported in the SOS Children’s Village programme…

SOS Children’s Villages Mauritius has been quite active to respond to the situation of children in 2011.  Our Child’s Rights Situation Analysis conducted in 2010 is still valid.  A total of 1069 needy children were supported in the SOS Children’s Village programme (excluding SOS schools and parents). 

Regarding residential care, 137 children and youth were cared for by the SOS mothers in the two Children’s Villages.  Besides, last year, a new project was introduced to support some 67 former SOS children who still need support.  Already, many of them are on the right path towards a stronger social integration.

Concerning prevention work, some 865 needy children in the community have received regular support through our family strengthening (FS) services for the prevention of child abandonment.  These kids have been able to grow in their natural family environment.  The family strengthening (FS) included education support, food support, sensitisation activities (e.g., prevention

of teen pregnancy).  Besides the children, their parents or caregivers, some 536 adults in all, received counselling and psychological support from our social workers. 

The total number of children cared for in 2011 is summarised in the table below:

Number of children and parents in SOS Children’s Villages Programme in 2011

Our target group	Number of beneficiaries
Residential care for abandoned/ neglected children Children at SOS Children Village Beau Bassin	88
Children at SOS Children’s Village Bambous	39
Youth work Youth SOS Children Village Beau Bassin (Youth I)	4
Youth at SOS Children’s Village Bambous (Youth I)	6
Former SOS Children (Youth II)	67
Prevention of abandonment/ neglect Children in the community helped through family strengthening (FS)	865
Education Pupils in SOS Kindergarten CV Beau Bassin	134
Pupils in SOS Kindergarten CV Bambous	124
Education and Learning Centre	19
SOS Vocational Training Centre Trainees	35
Total	1,381

 

…Strategic initiatives to strengthen the association…

            Thanks to the dedication of the staff and the support of the Board Directors it was possible to implement most of the strategic initiatives to strengthen the association. The association started a reflection on the concept of one programme as one movement with one target group – abandoned children and children at risk of abandonment. The youth work was given a boost via profound discussions and actions culminating in a new youth concept. Likewise, the association took bold measures to support some 67 former SOS children, now adults in the community, who were facing problems like housing, employment etc. In line with the quality of care initiatives, the Child Protection

Policy was consolidated across the SOS programme. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the context of a partnership with a Community-Based NGO was successfully implemented and will pave the way towards reaching out more children in the years to come. On the other hand, the association has invested much on the training and development of its most valued resources, namely its personnel. Thus, the training organised included leadership, counselling, performance management, child protection and child’s rights. 

…more needy children are attaining a higher level of education…

            Regarding education, almost all the children in the two Children’s Villages and those being helped by family strengthening were enrolled in schools.  Besides mainstream education and training, it was possible for those having learning difficulties or disabilities to attend Special Education Needs institutions most appropriate to their needs.  It is encouraging that more needy children are attaining a higher level of education (literacy, mainstream primary and secondary education, and vocational training) each year.  In 2011, one SOS child was enrolled to university while two others successfully completed the University of Cambridge Higher School Certificate examinations.  

In order to provide quality education to children right from their early childhood, an innovative Educational and Learning Centre (ELC) was inaugurated in 2011.  The ELC was funded by the Government of Luxemburg with the support of “SOS Villages d’Enfants Monde (Luxembourg)”.

During the inauguration ceremony, the “SOS Badge of Honour” was awarded to long service Board Directors while the “Ring of Honour” was awarded to SOS mothers in recognition for their long service and dedication to the Association.

It is to be pointed out that the work of SOS Children’s Villages Mauritius in 2011 could not have been possible without the support, generosity and trust of our numerous stakeholders – the government, individual donors, and companies via the Corporate Social Responsibility, staff and collaborators.

 

1.2 Objectives for 2012

The main objectives and main actions of the Association for 2012 are:

• Empower mothers to address adolescents’ needs
  • Organise training for SOS mothers with assistance of resource persons

• Develop implementation plan for SOS CV Policy Programme
  • Learn from good practices from other countries
  • Study implications and make recommendations

• Conduct annual Family Strengthening Self-Evaluation Workshop
  • Organise consultations with children, parents and other stakeholders, like CBOs
  • Evaluate findings, update operational plan
• Child participation -  Strengthening of mechanisms for effective participation
  • Training of staff on importance of participation
  • Review and improve existing mechanisms
• Develop a holistic educational and training programme (VET, literacy etc.)
  • Pilot programmes for children with learning difficulties

 

• Implement Fundraising Strategy 2012 – 2013 to enhance self sufficiency of the Association
  • Develop operational plans, actions
  • Organise regular fortnightly meetings to follow up implementation

• Update key policy documents: Fundraising strategy, Child Rights Situation Analysis
  • Collect data and update report
  • Formulate recommendations for Strategic Planning for 2013

• Review constitution of SOS CV Mauritius to strengthen alignment  with standards of National Association Manual and Companies Act
  • Pursue Board sub-committee work with specialists (Notary-Public and Chartered Secretary) to update constitution

• Organise workshop for new Compensation system
  • Liaise with Regional HR/OD Advisor for organisation
  • Implement recommendations

1.3 Time schedule of major events in 2012

 

January

• Preparation of Operational Plans and Individual Plans
• Visit of Continental Director, Mr Aristide Ramaciotti

 

February

• Pedagogical activity on Abolition of Slavery Day
• Start of process for Finance Audit by external auditor
• Quality Care Audit
• Finalise contract for implementation of EU funded project: Pre-vocational Training Facility for Needy Adolescents

March

• National Day celebrations to mark the Independence and Republic day celebrated on 12^th March
•  Activities on International Women’s Day
• Review of Performance Appraisals (including Key Performance Indicators) by Performance Review Committee
• One-Day Sharing workshop on training received and workshops attended to in 2011
• Start of extension of Administration block Children’s Village Beau Bassin to facilitate delivery of pedagogical services

 

April

• 1st  Formal Strategic Planning Review Workshop
• Board Directors’ and Shareholders’ meetings
• Children’s Villages Holiday Activities
• Send audit report to RO

 

May

• Mid-term performance reviews
• Mothers’ Day fundraising appeal

 

June

• General Assembly Innsbruck (20 -24)
• Training of staff on importance of child participation
• Hermann Gmeiner day on 23 June
• Celebration of the day of the African Child – 16 Days, 16 Rights
• Send facility progress report to donors

 

July

• 2^nd Formal Strategic Planning Review Workshop
• Fundraising: Public Collection
• Holiday Programme for children in our family based care

 

August

• Risk Assessment workshop
• Strategic Planning for 2013 (to be confirmed)

 

September

• Board of Directors’ meeting
• World Peace Day activities
• Budget training and budget preparation for 2013

 

October

• 3^rd Formal Strategic Planning Review Workshop
• Eradication of Absolute Poverty (17 October) activity
• International Day for the eradication of Poverty

November

• Annual camping of all children
• Open Day in Children’s Villages
• Loving Home Campaign
• Send year Facility report to donors
• Holiday Programme

 

December

• Fourth and final formal Strategic Planning Review Workshop
• Board of Directors’ meeting
• Christmas Carol show by SOS Children

AMEDEE DABEECHARUN

Manging Director

Head Office