Hope House Overview
Hope House identifies with Sustainable Development Goals and is working towards this end in all the projects.
GOAL 1: No Poverty
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
GOAL 4: Quality Education
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 14: Life Below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Summary of the application
Education and Empowerment through Skills Development:
Carpentry Program – We identify early school leavers who are unemployed and provide an opportunity for them to learn carpentry skills, with progression from basic skills to more advanced methods. In addition, Hope House provides training in other aspects of business, for example, furniture and décor design, costing, sales, productivity, market trends etc.
Alongside skills training, mentorship is a primary focus.
One of our core values is helping people with difficult backgrounds to develop life skills that will develop their character and aid them in being successful.
Sewing Project – Likewise the sewing project teaches sewing and embroidery skills to unemployed women from disadvantaged communities.
Mentoring and counsel go hand in hand with practical training, providing a stronger footing for their futures.
Trainees in these projects earn while they learn. This provides some financial security during this learning phase. We do not subscribe to a handout mentality, and earnings are based on attendance and participation.
The expected outcome is that trainees will be in a position to start a SME and have the skills to produce quality products, thus enabling a sustainable future as contributing and productive members of society.
Amount applied for 2023/24 : Rs6487200
Project duration: 5 years – Ongoing
ACTIVITY DETAILS
Project issues and objectives:
Issues:
- Many young people leave school at a young age and are not employable. These young adults have no skills, and often have a very limited education. Some resort to making “easy money” which leaves them at risk, vulnerable to exploitation, and often to cycles of negative and damaging behaviour. Finding themselves trapped, they are unable to break free from their situations.
- Although intelligent, some have character issues which have not been addressed and prevents them from achieving. School systems or a dysfunctional family life have failed to provide them with healthy life skills and academic failure has reinforced a perception that they are a failure.
Objectives:
- It is our mission to provide life skills, vocational skills, hope and belief for these young adults which will enable them to earn a living and break the cycle of poverty, crime and addiction.
- Our objective is to provide every opportunity for the trainees to become functional contributing members of Mauritian society.
- The purpose of the project is to provide the appropriate environment, belief in the value of these individuals and required mentoring to meet this mission and objective as follows:
- The carpentry and sewing projects seek to create an environment where these young people can be nurtured and mentored to help them to grow in hope, confidence and dignity whilst learning practical skills.
- The project focuses on young people that have largely been “written off” by communities, businesses and society. Unless they are given mentoring, guidance, and an opportunity for their lives to be transformed, they will end up in negative and toxic environments resulting in an increase of crime, drugs, alcohol, robbery and domestic violence, becoming a burden for Mauritius.
- Hope House believes in the fundamental worth of every individual and are thus patient and persistent in teaching trainees to develop a good work ethic, to be honest, to have integrity and to be accountable. We desire to develop tolerance and patience, to work effectively as part of a team, to have self-discipline and self-respect. These life skills are foundational for trainees chances of sustainable earnings.
- Young people with employable skills, who have developed good characters and the required life skills, who have purpose and belonging stand a much better chance of being contributing members to Mauritian society.
Stakeholders:
The stakeholders of this project would be everyone involved directly or indirectly with Hope House.
Beneficiaries, Funding organizations, Volunteers, Government of Mauritius, Local businesses, Local village councils, Potential customers of products produced, Disadvantaged communities, Hope House management committee members and volunteers.
Output:
- 2 existing carpenters to be empowered as trainee managers.
- 3 young, trained carpenters and 1 seamstress empowered as trainers.
(This has already been achieved in the past 8 years of experience. We have a good track record.)
- 6 new trainee carpenters and 6 seamstresses , to be skilled and trained over the next 5 years.
- Bespoke furniture, home décor items and various products produced.
Outcomes:
- At least 2 functioning carpentry SME’s and 1 sewing enterprise, employing 6 and 3 people respectively.
- Helping to shift the mindset and skill set of at least 9 unskilled and unemployed youth, empowering them to move from being unproductive to becoming effective and contributing members of families and communities.
- Dignity and self-worth established in disadvantaged communities significantly impacting the well-being of these individuals and families.
- Belonging and purpose which leads to a desire to leave behind toxic and negative influences for a more positive lifestyle.
- Employment and remuneration while being trained and skilled in preparation to being future self-employed businesses.
- Revenue produced from sale of items made and sold adding to the ongoing sustainability of the project.
- A positive environment and hope created for children and families by having a faithful breadwinner.
- Entrepreneurs identified and nurtured, and opportunity created and explored to enable such entrepreneurs to flourish and thrive.
- Capacity to make products which could potentially be exported
- Some words that could describe the outcomes: Skills, Empowered, Hope, Joy, Dignity, Food, Shelter, Belonging, Opportunity, Team-work, Income, Functional Families, Positive Contribution, Good character, Honesty, Positive work ethic.
Assumed Indicators:
Measuring the yearly progress according to the Output criteria.
Assessing the annual personal and economic growth of beneficiaries and their families against the goals set out in the outcomes.
Activities:
Year 1 schedule (2023/6~2024/5)
Month /Year | Schedule for each activity |
June23 – July23 | Screening and selection of 5 appropriate participants from disadvantaged communities in Mauritius. |
August | Orientation and explanation of project, getting commitment and buy in from them. |
September23 – May24 | Initial basic Training phase1 dealing with basic Carpentry/sewing skills and on the job training using hand tools and mentoring. |
Year 2 (2024/6~2025/5)
Month /Year | Schedule for each activity |
May – August | Training phase2 dealing with Intermediate Carpentry skills, on the job training and mentoring. Introduction to power tools. Safety regulations and a course in basic first aid.
|
Sept – May | Basics of work ethic, productivity, accuracy and quality of workmanship, profitability, creativity and technical carpentry skills. On the job mentoring and training. |
Year 3 plan (2025/6~2026/5)
Month /Year | Schedule for each activity |
May – August | Training phase3 dealing with Intermediate/advanced Carpentry skills, mentoring and on the job training. Intermediate power tools. Safety regulations and refresher course in basic first aid.
|
Sept – May | Reinforcement of work ethic, productivity, accuracy and quality of workmanship, profitability, creativity and technical carpentry skills. On the job mentoring and training. |
Year 4 plan (2026/4~2027/3)
Month /Year | Schedule for each activity |
June 2026 | Screening and selection of 5 additional participants from disadvantaged communities in Mauritius. |
July26 – August26 | Orientation and explanation of project, getting commitment and buy in from new intake. |
May – August | Training phase4 dealing with advanced Carpentry skills, mentoring and on the job training. Advanced power tools. Safety regulations and refresher course in basic first aid.
|
Sept – May | Reinforcement of work ethic, productivity, accuracy and quality of workmanship, profitability, creativity and technical carpentry skills. On the job mentoring and training. Design experience and advanced techniques training. Includes costing projects, marketing and sales |
Year 5 plan (2028/4~2029/3)
Month /Year | Schedule for each activity |
May – August | Training phase5 dealing with Preparation and business skills development, advanced Carpentry skills and on the job mentoring and training. Advanced power tools. Learners driving license facilitation.
|
Sept – May | Reinforcement of work ethic, productivity, accuracy and quality of workmanship, profitability, creativity and technical carpentry skills. On the job mentoring and training. Design experience and advanced techniques training. Includes costing projects, marketing, and sales. Facilitation of driver’s license. Facilitation of registration of SME. |
Activity site:
- Unit 21 La Valette industrial Park – Bambous Mauritius
Hope House – History:
Name: HOPE HOUSE MAURITIUS
Address: Cnr. La Preneuse road and Bouganvillier Road, Black River; Mauritius, 90608
Website (URL): www.hopehousemauritius.com
Legal personality: Voluntary Association – registered 2014
Country of registry: Mauritius
Representative:
Full name: Andre Anthony Holl
Address: La Preneuse road, Black River, Mauritius, 90608
Date of birth: 31 January 1961
Email address: hopehouse.andreyvet@gmail.com
Phone number: +230 57153646
Title in organization concerned: Secretary
Key positions in other organizations: Director
Additional information about the representative
History:
- Co-Founder of Hope House Mauritius and
- Project design and management of Hope House since 2014.
Past public service involvement: yes
Experience in organizational management: yes
Knowledge of the project area: yes
National CSR Certification Number
NCSRF/2017/0531 |
Outline of the organization
Number of members: 26
Date of establishment: 2014
Objective of establishment:
(a) to promote the welfare and assist in the positive transformation of communities; and
(b) to facilitate and encourage the process of growth and development of mind, body and soul achieved through diverse initiatives such as:
- skills and craft development
- teaching life skills
- character development
- rehabilitation and personal mentoring
- job creation and sustainable development
- leadership development and training
Major past successful activities in the project area:
From 2015 to 2022 we have proved the merit and effectiveness of this approach in Mauritius.
In the early stages we had 10 youngsters who were part of the project but some of them stayed for a while and then left, and others joined. At this stage we started in a little 5m x 5m shed at our home using hand tools only. We had no funding, and we personally invested our savings into this project to get it off the ground.
We then managed to get some funding for power tools (Carpentry and sewing machines), and we found a workshop of 10m x 10m where we established a bigger workshop and built a mezzanine floor to give us space for an office and sewing room.
During this period, we have successfully established a project that has empowered and transformed the lives of 6 unemployed and unskilled young men and 2 marginalized mothers who were unemployed. We are now in a position to leverage our track record and past experience to grow and to reach more youngsters.
There was also another group of 12 woman from disadvantaged communities who were taught sewing and embroidery skills. This group has been dormant since COVID. Our relationships with this group remain and we hope to reach out to this community again.
These youngsters have gained skill and knowledge as well as practical experience and motivation to succeed. They now come to work every day (unlike before) and are now able to perform at a very high level making beautiful upmarket bespoke furniture and home décor items.
The ladies who sew have also progressed well and are now making large batches orders of various fabric items.
They have proved to themselves that they are able to work and earn a regular income which gives them a sense of self-worth and dignity.
We are committed to developing a market for what they produce (people can’t eat skills, what they make needs to be sold). This is done step by step as the productivity and capacity of the team grows. This ensures that we can keep our promise of making quality goods, which is essential for the sustainability of the project.
We have spent the last 7 years developing 6 young carpenters who have come through this project.
They are now at a stage where several of them can begin to teach skills to the next group of trainees. For this next phase of growth, we intend to create two groups of 3 in each which would be another 6 trainees being developed over the next 5 years. We are seeking funding to build a bigger facility in 2023. This will be approached in a separate funding application.
Other activities in Mauritius
Empowerment through sport:
Salt Surfers – This program takes youngsters off the street and gives them an opportunity to belong to something that is positive, trendy and where they can find a sense of belonging. Each session consists of physical training aimed at stretching and building strength and stamina. Those who cannot swim are accommodated at the Salt Swimmers project where they are taught how to swim. Mentoring is a high priority for this program as many kids come from desperate family life situations and need nurturing and love. The combination of physical training and coach mentorship assists them in making healthy life choices.
Salt Swimmers: designed specifically for those who cannot swim. Participants are trained by accredited coaches. Once they progress, swimmers are introduced to Salt Surfers, where they can use their new found freedom to enjoy the ocean around the island where they live.
Girls Make Waves: a project aimed at empowering women from disadvantaged communities. The program is attended by older woman who have never learnt to swim or to even get into the ocean. Time is spent nurturing them away from being afraid of the ocean, to a space where they are confident in the water. For many of these women it is the first time they have been offered an opportunity to explore beyond their normal tasks of cleaning, cooking and caring for their families. What an incredible joy to see them growing in confidence and self-worth.
Empowerment through Agriculture:
(successfully completed stage 1 and 2 of proof of concept and are presently busy planning phase 3 which is implementation on a bigger scale)
Chilli Fields – aims at introducing unemployed people, living in desperately poor areas, to organic farming methods.
Two trainee farmers are taught together.
The trainees learn how to work together to control pests, to use organic fertilizer and make quality compost
to boost the growth and the yield of the plants. Any excess compost is sold to earn revenue.
The chillies are bought from the farmers at the going market rate to be sold or used to make chilli products.
The goal is to train and empower one or two unemployed people who will make the chilli products.
One Home One Garden – offers a solution to the food security and poverty crisis for the rural poor to become more self-sufficient.
The “One Home One Garden” Project encourages households to start their own food production units.
The aim is to assist households to be able to produce enough food to meet basic household food security needs throughout the year.
As is true for all our projects, there is a high focus on mentoring and caring, for personal development and progress.
Empowerment through Infrastructure:
Raised funding to build and install 25 Toilets cubicles and septic tanks at Cotteau Raffin.
Installed Rain Water Harvesting systems on the toilet structure to collect water for flushing.
Set up stage 2 of proof of concept for Chilli farm successfully in Cotteau Raffin community.
Beyond Mauritius we also work as follows:
Malawi:
Good News Children’s Home. During the past 5 years we have managed to raise funding to provided infrastructure that has enabled GNCH to become self-sustaining. Several projects have focused on food security for the children.
Installation of 3 boreholes and drip feed irrigation, covering about 3 hectares, has aided in reducing crop failure. In addition, we have upgraded beds and mattresses, given sewing skills training, built a jungle gym and done basic hygiene training alongside other smaller projects. Educational aid is given to orphans who have qualified for university. Help is given to about 100 kids to attend school. We work with another donor to help with some of the costs and upkeep of the kids. We do trips where we hold creative art classes and try to inspire them to reach further. Our work continues with GNCH.
Madagascar:
ASA Fins project – connects with unemployed young surfers from Madagascar who struggle to find work or ways to earn income. This project is also focused on them being mentored and helped to develop in areas like work ethic, honesty and respect.
We train them to hand carve surfboard fins out of wood. This is done in a sustainable way, working with the off-cuts from a local furniture factory. The project is still in its infancy stage, due to COVID.
Akany Avotra Orphanage – Support is given to this orphanage in areas of need as they arise.
We have no partners presently. We had a funding organization partnering with us for the past three years, but this funding is now complete, and we are looking for another partner to invest and help us to take the next step to further impact the vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in Mauritius.
