In July 1993, while on visit to some relatives in Belgium, Nicole Dercy had the opportunity to meet other physically disabled persons at Beauraing, There, she was struck by the attention and caring a woman was giving to a handicapped person. At first, Nicole thought that the latter was her child but she was astonished to find out that this woman was only a volunteer giving her love and attention to those in need. It was at that very moment that it flashed to Nicole’s mind that something must be done to the physically disabled of Mauritius.
A few weeks after she returned home she succeeded in grouping nine persons, some of which were physically disabled. The discussion was based on how to become independent both physically and mentally while assuming their handicap. It was Lindsay Dercy, Nicole’s brother, who came with the proposal of creating handicraft products with coconuts, wood and pieces of cloths. Some of them include dolls in cloth, coconut boxes for jewellery, embroidery and souvenirs items in wood.
They encountered great difficulties in finding a location for their activities. Fortunately, Nicole’s father generously proposed to put his residence at the disposal of the members as well as offering them part of his small yard for a workshop. The said workshop was built with the limited funds collected mainly from donations. These enable the group to become gradually structured with apprenticeship in handicrafts scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and committee meeting on Thursdays.
As begging was not part of their motto they relied on themselves for the survival of their association, which was first, named G.L.N.S. Association meaning Gilbert, Lindsay, Nicole and Suzelle. However, due to lack of guidance and a limited knowledge on registration and legal issues they encountered several obstacles throughout the first years of their existence. This was how during a phone call in May 1998, an Officer of the Registration Office urged them to change the association’s name to something impersonal. As Lindsay had in his hand a piece of Cyprus wood, he proposed Cypres and in July of the same year, Cypres Handicapped Association was officially registered at the Registrar of Association of the Republic of Mauritius.
However, the question of handicraft products was still pending as an association had no right to indulge themselves in any commercial activities. They had to seek registration with the NHPA (National Handicraft Promotion Agency) in 1999 to set apart the small handicraft-manufacturing unit thus called Cypres Handicraft.
Gradually, the Association get registration with the following bodies:
- National Handicraft Promotion Agencies (Ministry of Handicraft), Now Small Enterprise Handicraft Development Agency (Sehda).
- Ministry of Women’s Right, Child Development and Family Welfare.
- Ministry of Social Security National Solidarity & Senior Citizens Welfare.
- Municipality of Curepipe.
- Mauritius Council of Social Service. (MACOSS)