Transcript Slide 1

EDUCATION AND POVERTY
All international studies concur that illiteracy is the
main source of poverty in developing and
developed countries
In Mauritius, illiteracy averages 16% of the total of
1.25 million population (CIA fact book); it is
concentrated in low income areas scattered around the
island
Since its creation in 1996, Mauritius Round
Table No. 5 has been very active in promoting
reading and helping literacy related projects
The Fatima Literacy School
• Started in 1989 as a
community library
• Initial volunteers still active
in school
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After 5-7 years of public school
Still unable to read and write
Repeatedly failed CPE exam
Kids have no self esteem, no
ambition, no hope
• They need a SECOND CHANCE
Why teach the kids again?
No CPE = No JOB
No JOB = POVERTY, CRIME, DRUGS
• Objective: re-teach kids enough to re-take
the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE)
• Kids attend school for 3-5 years
• Take CPE exam
• Get pre-professional training
Fatima School - Facts
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125 students
8 fulltime teachers
20 volunteers
1 headmaster since 2009
• Re-educated more than 1,000
kids over 20 years
• All students gain self esteem and
confidence
• 100% success at the latest CPE
seating
Costs and budget
• NO government funding
• All costs covered by
private donations
• Students each pay 2 € per month
• Actual Costs = 25 € per month
or 300 € per year
• Overall School running budget :
36,000 € per year
Fatima - Donations situation
• Donations to school not tax deductible
since 2005
• Reduced donations from tourism and
textile companies with economical
recession
• Need alternative source of
funding to run and expand
school
• Hence sponsoring from MRT5
MRT5 and Fatima School
• Since 2008, MRT5 raised
3,500 € for Fatima school
• Obtained matching grant of
3,200 € from WOCO foundation
• Renovated a classroom (2,800 €)
• Donated a new PC with licensed
software (900 €)
• Project to pay headmaster’s
salary for 6m (3,000 €) – WOCO
grant
MRT5 Objectives for Fatima School in 2009
• Sponsor a minimum of 20 children over 2 years
• Help school renew sponsor base
• Provide funds for expansion
20 children per class
x 300 € per child
x 2 years =
12,000 €
RT Austria can help
make a difference in the
Mauritian community
• Keep 120 kids out of the streets
• Reduce child drug use and
violence in poor areas
• Help teenagers integrate the
working community