Dylans Dupont

Social Integration

In the context of its Corporate Social Responsibility, MCB Group, under the aegis of MCB Forward Foundation, has implemented a comprehensive social integration project at Cité Tôle, Mahebourg. The project entails the implementation of an integrated social housing project for six low-income families of Cité Tôle. The project aimed to provide decent housing facilities to these families, offer them sustainable sources of income and assist various rampant psycho-social issues in their community. MCB Forward Foundation has supported the families involved regarding psycho-social issues since 2013 and has accompanied them in their journey to find alternative sources of income. The construction of houses then represented one further step in the integrated project and was launched in October 2017. The brand-new housing units were then delivered in October 2018.

Our approach

A qualitative and quantitative study of Cité Tôle was conducted in 2012. The study revealed a lack of basic amenities and infrastructure in the neighbourhood and within the housing units themselves. The inhabitants work primarily in the construction industry and have no stable employment. Most children, however, attend school. The study also highlighted health issues such as substance abuse and alcohol and the prevalence of family conflicts.

2

Social workers

25

Case profiles

100

Community awareness

73 group sessions

Seventy-three group sessions were undertaken on various subjects such as sexuality, substance abuse and conflict management.

3 axes of intervention

Education

Five beneficiaries were referred to special education needs schools, resulting in increased self-esteem, improved academic results, and positive behavioural change.

Health

Individual counselling sessions, 159 couple counselling sessions, 27 follow ups and referrals to other health services were undertaken. A food aid program for three families and psycho-social accompaniment for 11 beneficiaries was also implemented.

Job Profiling

Profiling of 20 women to identify skills and training needs for appropriate job referrals was carried out.

Integrated Projects

Projet Employabilité Jeunes

Three youths completed the Projet Employabilité Jeunes training course offered by Beachcomber, and 2 of them are currently employed at the Shandrani and Preskil hotels.

Workshop

An 8-month workshop and 14 awareness sessions were held, in which eight women of Cité Tôle participated. These were part of our employability and social integration program. Fifteen training sessions on alternative livelihood opportunities were also held, focusing on the nearby Barachois Rochecouste.

Adult Literacy Program

Six months workshop for 15 participants from Cité Tôle.

Barachois Community Project

A core team comprising eight beneficiaries was set up to implement an Aquaculture Farm in Barachois Rochecouste near Cité Tôle. Fifteen training sessions on livelihood opportunities were held in this context.

Referrals

6

CEB and CWA

4

NGOs

6

Grand Port District Council

5

Legal Aid

8

Ministry of Housing

Environment

In the context of the Integrated Social Housing project of Cité Tôle, a Waste Management Program was initiated to create awareness on waste management in the community and sensitise the inhabitants, irrespective of their age groups, on waste management and the protection of the environment.

Sensitisation workshops were held with a group/core team comprising 12 adults from March to August 2017, and an awareness program was conducted in March 2017, targeting 32 children.

Sensitisation programs on aquaculture and waste management were also conducted in June 2017, targeting 50 youngsters from Cité Tôle and La Chaux. In July 2017, various activities and educational tours were organised for the core team in partnership with seven associations/NGOs to sensitise participants on waste management and environmental protection.

In October 2017, 14 eco bins and three recycling bins for PET bottles were installed in the vicinity of Cité La Chaux and Cité Tôle to enable proper waste management for the inhabitants, following which a survey was carried out in the region.

Rodrigues

MCB Football Academy

Cité Tôle