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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
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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 • 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 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