<B> Complementary schooling is celebrating its 5th anniversary. How did it all start?</B>

The starting point was a community development programme in deprived areas, which started in Cité Barkly, Beau Bassin. In these areas, about four children out of ten fail their Certificate of Primary Education (CPE). It was after this observation that the complementary school project began. Students up to A-Level are accepted and the classes are held for two hours after school and on Saturdays. We also work with other members of the community, especially parents. Volunteers give their spare time for this project.

<B> How many schools and volunteers do you have today?</B>

We now have schools in Cité Kennedy-Quatre Bornes, Cité La Cure-Port Louis, RicheLieu, Cité Mangalkhan-Floréal and Cité La Chaux-Mahébourg. These schools are manned by 1,000 volunteers across the island.

<B> What exactly is your aim? </B>

Apart from supporting the children academically, our aim is to promote human development in these areas. We have a learning centre where we host training programmes for parents, such as literacy and numeracy courses as well as IT courses. We want these people to forge their future and get a job. We also have programmes for drop-outs. On the whole, our ultimate goal is the social development of these areas.

<B> What are your future projects?</B>

This project has been a huge success. But I think we still have another five to ten years to go on progressing, as it is a long-term project. On 22nd May we will have a celebration at 3 pm at La Confiance College in Beau-Bassin, where it all started.