Location: Port Louis
Residents: 59 total; 20 children
Children: 20, all orphans under 20 years of age; 3 boys, 17 girls
Staff: 21 full-time staff members
Housing style: Dormitory; boys segregated after age 12
Religious Affiliation: Muslim
Government Support: Yes
Children
20, all orphans or abandoned children under 20 years of age. 3 boys, 17 girls. Boys move to a separate dorm after age 12. All children attend Muslim schools. Children must be Muslim to be admitted, and are usually sent to the orphanage through the Ministry of Child Development and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Social Security, or by a court.
Funding
The orphanage receives funding from the government, which covers the basic needs of the orphanage. Additional funding comes from drives within the local Muslim community, conducted mainly during the month of Ramadan. The administration claim that the orphanage has no real shortage of funds.
Facilities
• Spacious dormitories with beds along all of the walls, common area in the center of each
• Kitchen
• Large dining room
• Courtyard
• Small playground
• A multipurpose room
• Small computer room with 2 computers
• Televisions, radios and computers in many of the dormitories
Overall Impressions
Though we have yet to talk to the children, after which we will post a comprehensive report with suggestions for how to incorporate HOPE Fellows, we believe that the Mauritius Muslim Orphanage will be a great location for Fellows to work. The staff are very helpful and friendly, and would love to work with the Fellows.
The basic care provided by the staff and the facilities seem to be adequate, but there is little support for tutoring and extracurricular activities. One project that might work particularly well would be a sustainable garden.