EDUCATION AND POVERTY

All international studies concur that illiteracy is the main source of poverty in developing anddeveloped countries

In Mauritius, illiteracy averages 16% of the total of1.25 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

• 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

• 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 raised3,500 € for Fatima school

• Obtained matching grant of3,200 € 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 classx 300 € per childx 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