Profile

Introduction

The ‘Self Help project for the disabled and the deprived is a one year project undertaken by Cypres Handicapped Association under the close supervision and financial support of Decentralized Cooperation Programme [DCP].

The objectives of the project are:

To reinforce the welfare of its handicapped members and help them, achieve economic self- dependence.

To improve the organization’s capacity of delivering moral and material support to its handicapped members on a more regular basis.

To provide counseling and guidance to other handicapped people at large.

History of the Association

Cypres Handicapped Association [CHA] started in 1993 when one of our founder members, Miss Nicole Dercy, herself a physically disabled person, realized that something must be done to improve the status of handicapped people.

At first, the group constituted of nine members which gradually increased this urging us to register our association in order to have a formal structure. This helped us much in concretising decisions for the welfare of our members.

Training and counselling formed part of some of the first activities that took place. However, due to lack of funds, these activities were held in the residence of Miss Nicole’s parents who generously offered one small room.

Needs of the Association

The needs of association are to have:

A place to meet;
Training;
Counseling;
Recreational facilities;

Empowerment through seminars and workshop.

Place to meet

Instead of staying alone at home while their parents are at work, our members can meet at CHA center where they can share their ideas, hopes and fears, and where they can mutually motivate them this avoiding felling of despair and helplessness.
Training
Apart from some training sessions given by volunteers, the association seeks training from the Ministry of Handicraft [SEDHA], Ministry of women, Ministry of Social security and Mauritius council of social service. The aim of the training is to provide skill to the members and to help them develop their talents so as to enable them to stand on their feet and become financially autonomous whenever possible.
Counselling
Apart from providing counselling to its members, on such matters as their rights and roles in society in order to take their problems and challenges with dignity, the association is open to other handicapped persons who need guidance, advice and support. Some examples are: visit to doctors, change of orthopaedist shoes and transport to social security office to name a few.
Recreational facilities
Actually, the association organises recreation outings twice a year and educational outing each quarterly. This enables our members to visit beautiful places and also broadens their general knowledge.
Empowerment through seminars and workshops
Seminars and workshop are organised now and then to expose to our members opportunities and facilities available to them for the setting up of self-help projects or other income generating micro projects.

Description of activities

The DCP project helps the association to enhance its quality of service to all members for training in :

Textile
Painting on cloths
Embroidery
Woodwork
Colored basket
Packaging

A few years ago, the association has obtained a market outlet from the Municipality of Curepipe, but has been unable to open it up to now due to lack of funds. However, with the financial support provided by the DCP, this place will provide an avenue for the sale of products made by our handicapped members.

The DCP Project is articulatedaround four main aspects namely :

Training
Constant monitoring to limit failure
Evaluation
Counseling

Training

With the funds made available to the association, the training programme is being consolidated. Women members are being trained in CHA center in Curepipe in such crafts as sewing & embroidery and painting on cloth. Male members are being trained in woodwork and handicraft in the center’s workshop at Eau-coulée.

Monitoring

Members who decide to set up their own micro projects are subject to close monitoring so as to provide them with the required advice to avoid failure.

Evaluation

The programme is subject to constant evaluation so as to ensure that there is no deviation from its initial course. Besides, this facilitates necessary corrective action where needed.

Counseling

The counseling service provided by the association is improved especially as it is gradually acting as a facilitator for other handicapped people who knock at the association’s door for advice and guidance since they have nowhere else to go. Actually, thanks to the financial support of the DCP, activities are held every day and the quality of services offered by association is enhanced.