First of all, “Lacaz” is a starting point. It was initially the idea of group A of Cassis. The aim was to set up an organization to help drug addicts and people with aids. With this end in view, a library will be available for the patients to get information. And then, therapy groups and counselling groups will also be available.

<B> What brought along the idea of such an organization?</B>

Two years ago we were given statistics by the “Aids Secreteriat” showing that City Vallijee and Cassis were threatened by the scourge of drugs and aids. Indeed, we were told that City Vallijee was in a worrying situation as the number of drug addicts and people with aids kept increasing. Many ideas came up and among them was the idea of creating an organization such as “Lacaz (A)”.

<B>Is the organization helped in any way?</B>

“Lacaz (A)” is helped mainly by Pils and by the government through Natresa and the municipality of Port-Louis. They all help us financially, technically and materially. For example, Natresa and Pils give our workforce a good training, the municipality of Port-Louis provides materials such as chairs and tables. We also have help from organisations in our region such as the parish of Cassis.

<B>What are the characteristics of the workforce of “Lacaz (A)”?</B>

Basically, we call them “soldiers”. There are around 50 of them. Most of them are women. They are aged between 16 and 60 years old. As I said before, they are trained through the “Aids Secreteriat” and Pils. For the time being, they work as volunteers, but as time goes on, they will start being paid.

<B>When will the work get started?</B>

As from the 16th of this month, the house will be operational from 7 pm to 10 pm. And as from next week, our committee will meet and discuss different ways of fund-raising. The money that will come from those fund-raising activities will help to build the “maison d’acceuil”.

<B>Are you confident the project will be successful?</B>

To be honest, at the beginning some did not agree with the project. So we faced some difficulty in setting up the organization. But now we are getting encouraging signs that it will work. I firmly believe it will be a successful “maison d’accueil”. We are convinced that the whole project will be a success!