Hope House

Project outline –

This program takes youngsters off the street and gives them a 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 very difficult family life situations and they need nurturing and love.

The combination of physical training and coach mentorship assists them in making healthy life choices.

Problem –

• Surfing is a beautiful sport that is beyond the reach of many living in disadvantaged communities.
• The entry point to learn to surf is high because of the cost of the equipment.
• Many youngsters living in these difficult circumstances are poor swimmers or have a fear of water.
• Excess “Screen time” is having a very negative impact on youth today. They not getting out into nature and the sea which is resulting in a lack of knowledge about the environment and the ocean.
• Physical exercise for many is non existent and many come from difficult family situations from which there is no escape. This frustration and sometimes rebellion leaves young people in a situation where they lack confidence. There self esteem is low and who can be easily influenced to get involved in damaging and toxic lifestyles.
• Distracted or absent parents who are not involved in teaching children the basics of good manners, honesty, work ethic, keeping promises etc… are at a huge disadvantage as they attempt to navigate the difficulties of their lives from a place of deficit.

Solution –

• Create opportunities for these young people to explore the sport of surfing. We also play water polo which is a sport similar to football (which many understand and identify with) but which is played in water and uses swimming instead of running.
• Surfboards are provided at each session giving them a chance to experience riding a wave. Once they show promise and progress, we try to find surfboards which are then donated so that they can practice and improve.
• Those who are not able to swim or who have a fear of water are accommodated in the Salt Swimmers project until they are confident and water safe.
•  Belonging to something that is positive and outdoors helps youngsters to overcome some of their negative attitudes in life. The mentoring and care they receive teaches them about accountability and respecting themselves and others.
• Them, having an escape from their damaging circumstances, gives them hope. They learn to achieve something they never thought possible, growing their self esteem and helping them to focus on something that strengthens them.
• The combination of physical training, mentoring and having fun goes a long way in helping them find peace and a sense of well being.
• Once they have progressed they are introduced to competitive surfing and who knows maybe one day Mauritius will have a world surfing champ.

Benefits –

• The benefits to this project are numerous and far reaching.

• Physical fitness
• Mental fitness
• Ability to cope better with life’s challenges
• Camaraderie, friendship, love, kindness and joy found from belonging to a tribe who cares about their lives and where they find hope and purpose within the boundaries of accountability.
• Benefit for Mauritius in nurturing youngsters who are positive and have a good self image. Who care for others and themselves. The likelihood of them engaging in negative and toxic behaviour is drastically reduced.

Target beneficiaries –

• Youngsters from age 12 to 18
• Living in the following areas – Tamarin and Black River; La Gaulette; Cotteau Raffin; Le Morne; La Valette and Baie Du Tombeau.

Activities to be carried out –

• Weekly sessions with groups of up to 30 children.

• Meet at 10am at Tamarin bay or other locations as needed.
• Briefing of the days activities and education on environment sea and land. (5min)
• Handing out of Salt Surfer Lycra tops and board-shorts for those who do not have. These are then collected after the session, taken home and washed for the next session.
• Practical beach clean-up. (15min)
• Physical training starting with stretching followed by exercises specifically chosen to build strength and stamina for surfing and water-polo. (30min)
• Water time – Split into 5 or 6 groups each assigned a coach and assistant coaches to teach them about using surfboards or doing skills training for water-polo. (1hour)
• Time to chat and play in the water, explore skim boarding and opportunity for friendship and mentoring. Its from these interactive times that we get to know about the challenges they face and where we learn about some who have left school at a young age. Once these individuals are identified, it gives us an opportunity to explore with them the possibilities to be part of our carpentry/sewing skills development training which will provide options for their futures. (20min)
• From time to time we organise a beach-day and lunch or a camp out for the groups to enjoy.

Expected outcomes:

• Well being and character transformation from mentoring and belonging to a positive environment.
• Growth in self discipline, self respect, caring and respecting others, understanding oversight, accountability and being a team player, safely enjoying the ocean and friendships in a positive way.
• Identifying surfers who have potential and giving them an opportunity to be coached further and to compete.
• Giving youngsters from toxic family and community situations a safe place to escape to, where they can find help to make sense of their lives, get strength and confidence to navigate a course to a different future for themselves.
• From our experience, since starting this project in 2014, we have seen many of the participants changed from being unproductive and unskilled to them gaining the desire to change and to become contributing members of Mauritian society.