<I>“Mauritians should be more spiritually aware!”</I>

She arrived in Mauritian 17 years ago, with her husband and two eldest children. Though a businesswoman, she is concerned about social welfare.

Alison’s professional background is in accounting but, since she came here, she has been involved in business. She currently has two shops, Fine Art and Frames in Jumbo Phoenix and Artworld in Trianon Shopping Park. “Fine Art and Frames” was mainly for picture framing. She noticed that there was a gap in the market for people to have their certificates, photos and works of art framed at a reasonable price. “After years of framing pictures, I realised how much Art & Craft materials were needed and that’s why I opened Artworld in Trianon Shopping Park.”

When Alison is in her shops, despite having employees, she is working rather than just checking them. She might be serving customers or tidying up. She knows how to make herself understood and respected by the way she uses her communicative skills. “I do not like to see myself as the boss but more as a co-ordinator. I am a very precise person and therefore like to see things done well.”

Outside her working place, Alison enjoys a simple life style and is always ready to help out. Moreover, she has a very light-hearted sense of humour, especially as she loves to chat. She would certainly not deny this! She considers opening her art shops as part of her destiny.

“In 1985, I was living in England and I went to see an astrologer. Strangely enough, he told me that if I want to be successful, it will have to do with art. I was shocked because I am not blessed with artistic skills. I knew I would open my own business when I came to Mauritius and eventually this led me to work with picture framing and art materials! I am trying to promote art as a hobby and therapy for everyone to develop their creative talents.”

Despite spending sixty hours a week in her businesses, Alison tries to find time for the few things she considers her hobbies. Reading and listening to music are two things she enjoys doing. Alison has been a strict vegetarian since she was 24 years old and, despite her busy schedule, she enjoys cooking. In fact, she has held vegetarian cooking classes in Rose-Hill and Quatre-Bornes since 1995. What Alison enjoys the most is having some home-made pizza, and watching a good DVD at the weekend, with her family.

Alison arrived in Mauritius in April 1990 with her Mauritian husband and her two eldest children. The couple thought their family would benefit from a simpler lifestyle. Since then Mauritius has changed a lot from the material perspective. She sees how the standard of living has improved, but she believes a number of issues should be reviewed concerning social welfare.

“We have advanced materially, but we are way behind in spiritual development. Education is the key for this! But here, the goal of education seems merely to obtain certificates. What about personal development? Education also takes place at home and outside school. Whatever religion people follow, they should make their purpose in life to become more spiritually aware. This is the only way to fight the degradation of our society.

After living so long in Mauritius, Alison does not really see herself moving back to the UK or settling in another country. She now has four children. Her eldest son works in the United States, her daughter is studying in England, and her two other sons are at school here. It is only when her youngest completes his education that she might start thinking of moving and travelling more, “especially around India”. Meanwhile she has learnt a lot of things here such as the Creole language.

“Creole is a colourful language. I could have improved my French during my 17 years here, but I believe that Creole is the language of the nation. My hope is that ultimately Creole will help change the snobbish attitude of the so-called “educated” towards the not-so educated. Living here has brought many changes in me. I have become more tolerant and more easy-going. Although things are done so differently, and it can be tough at times, for various reasons I do enjoy being here…”