How buyers at Villas Valriche are providing a valuable boost to the local community

Bel Ombre Foundation for Empowerment (BOFE) was established by the Developers of Villas Valriche specifically for the benefit of the local community, to provide them with the requisite training and skills to take advantage of the significant economic growth happening in Bel Ombre.

This charitable organisation was formally launched in February 2009, with the graduation of the first 20 trainees that have undergone the Life Skills Management Programme. Our strategic partner for this project is SPES*.

The Mauritian Board of Investment have now approved several of the projects BOFE has presented to them, the total value well exceeding MU 50 million rupees.  The approved projects include grants for Setting Up of Childcare and Kindergarten, to Training in Hospitality, Trade and Adult Literacy;

Further interaction is underway with the BOI for the approval of the outstanding budget.  Indeed the next projects that are undergoing approval consist of:

• The setting up of a 'Drop in Centre' with 2 to 3 full time social workers in attendance
• A Community Hall with free Cyber Cafe and Library facilities, to bridge the Digital divide
• Creation of a Regional multi-sports club, to cement the local population and create a sense of belonging and regional pride.

"It is enormously satisfying to see the very positive contribution that Villas Valriche development is having on the local community, bringing them nearer to the fulfillment of their dream of an empowered community with access to new jobs and, with these, generating valuable income into the neighbourhood," comments Bernard Li, General Manager of BOFE.  

In May Adult Literacy and Numeracy classes commenced.  "We are using the latest ITC technology to teach our students, thus killing two birds with one stone, as our students will be acquiring basic computer proficiency whilst also learning to read and write!" adds Mr Li.

*SPES is concerned with the Adult literacy and Art & Craft training, and for the Lifeskill Management Program, Caritas (private funded NGO - part of the Catholic Church Network) is the one delivering the training.