Sponsor A Child - Our History
Sponsor A Child is an offshoot of the Mauritius Council of Social Services (MACOSS).
In 2004, under the Chairmanship of Dana Chengen, a brain storming session was held by MACOSS members. Participants, including Mrs Valerie Bouic, Mrs Chandranee Bhuckory, Mr E. Patel and Dr Satish Boolell – identified the need to help needy school children. It was felt a new a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) would best service those deserving students.
Thus, Sponsor A Child came into being and late Mrs Bhuckory appointed as Chairperson, had the responsibility to set up the organisation. from scratch.
It was a huge task to devise the mission and principles of the organisation as well as put in place its administrative framework. Initially logistic support was provided by the MACOSS Secretariat. However, MACOSS being a facilitator, it could not handle Sponsor A Child’s finances. In 2005, Sponsor A Child was formally registered as an organisation.
The first step was to identify needy children. Mrs Bhuckory and Mrs Bouic used their own means of transport to visit schools around the island to interview teachers and students. They also approached other NGOs. Once a few students had been identified, came the funding issue. Press conferences were held to make the Mauritian public aware of the cause.
Sponsors emerged slowly but surely. The first big sponsor drew a cheque of Rs125,000 which helped SAC take off. Over the years the number of sponsors our sponsorship following increased. More funds were made available when the Corporate Social Responsibility (csr) fund was set up and the number of sponsored children increased accordingly.
In the early years the focus was on primary school children. Now over 80% of our student population is from the secondary education sector. In 2010, we sponsored our first tertiary education student thanks to the generous donation by Mr Nuvin Navin Hooloomann. In the following years, we were able to assist more than 50 university students.
What started an idea, has now become a full-fledged NGO, with its own administrative staff and management committee. Over the years Sponsor A Child’s good work has made a difference in the lives of nearly 3000 students including more than 60 at tertiary level.
Our Vision: An opportunity to succeed.
Our Mission: To sponsor educational needs of needy underprivileged children /young adults students at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Target Group: Underprivileged Needy but academically from distress financial backgroud. promising students children, 7 to 18 + years old, from either poor, broken, single-parent, low-earner, handicapped parent families, orphans or children neglected by both parents and dependent on old grandparents.
Estimated results: Children will improve their academic performances at school including PSAC ,NCE as well as at external examinations , SC and HSC.
-A change in attitudes towards learning as well as in their behaviour.
-A better family and social environment owing to a decrease of financial stress.
Objectives: To provide additional financial aid and school materials to the needy students children and young adults in order to help them to achieve their full academic potential at primary,secondary and tertiary levels. attain their educational objectives including the development of tertiary and vocational potential.
The implementation of our objectives is carried out by a Management Committee , the tasks of which include:
● identifying sponsors and deserving students and matching sponsors to students looking for sponsors
● acting as intermediary between the institutions and the sponsors
● monitoring the educational progress of the assisted students and obtaining reports on results obtained. Sponsors are apprised of the reports
● evaluating progress reports and decision on appropriate actions to be taken on a case by case basis
● raising funds to ensure sustainability of the programme.