Caritas Celebrates 20 Years of Early Childhood Centers on International Children's Rights Day

Caritas Mauritius is celebrating two significant events today: International Children's Rights Day and the 20th anniversary of its Early Childhood Centers. A festive morning brought together children, parents, educational teams, volunteers, partners, and institutional representatives at Dodo Club in Curepipe, creating an atmosphere filled with colors, laughter, and camaraderie.

Over the past two decades, Early Childhood Centers have become one of Caritas's most impactful commitments to the most vulnerable families. These centers accommodate children under three years old, supporting their development and preparing them for a smooth transition into preschool. They rely on a network of parish management committees, trained teams, volunteers in each locality, and an educational approach tailored to the needs of young children. Currently, Caritas operates 17 Early Childhood Centers and two nurseries across the island, employing a staff of 126 and engaging 114 individuals in the field.

Christine Tadebois, President of Caritas Mauritius, emphasizes that "the Early Childhood Centers embody a deep commitment to childhood and human dignity. This program has grown alongside families, parishes, and field teams, continuing to provide hundreds of children with the essential foundations for thriving. Celebrating these twenty years during this jubilee year underscores our mission, which remains focused on humanity and the future."

Since their inception, over 6,700 children have benefited from this support. Each year, approximately 450 children and their families, equating to nearly 2,000 people, are impacted by this program. This grassroots initiative is made possible through the essential contributions of the National Social Inclusion Foundation, which has funded the program since 2022, as well as the support of various foundations and committed partners, including the Joseph Lagesse Foundation of IBL, Rogers, Apex, Avipro, Ciel, Bio Culture, BGH, and the member organizations of the Kolektif Droit Zanfan Morisien.

Patricia Adèle Félicité, Secretary General of Caritas, recalls that "from the beginning, the goal was to intervene early and support families so that every child could start their schooling in the best conditions. Twenty years later, witnessing the impact on thousands of children and parents, and seeing the teams so dedicated across the island, is a tremendous source of joy. The Early Childhood Centers demonstrate that early support has the genuine capacity to transform life trajectories."

This celebration is part of the jubilee year marking 60 years of Caritas Mauritius, themed "Hope in Action." It highlights work based on human dignity, prevention, solidarity, and the belief that every child should grow up in a nurturing and stimulating environment. The Early Childhood Centers help strengthen family bonds, support parents in their educational roles, and provide young children with the foundations for harmonious development.

As Caritas celebrates the 20th anniversary of the centers, it also reflects on the program's origins. The initiative began in the early 2005 in Roche Bois, when field teams and volunteers identified the need for a safe and structured space for the neighborhood's toddlers. The support of qualified childcare professionals, including Odile Mervin, allowed for the professionalization of practices, the introduction of a pedagogy inspired by the Montessori approach, and the establishment of a model based on close collaboration among families, parish teams, and volunteers. This pioneering work, carried out with rigor and commitment, gradually developed into a true national program.

This morning's celebrations brought together children and teams for educational activities, creative workshops, and moments of sharing that reflect the vitality of the network. Through this day, Caritas reaffirms its commitment to supporting children and their families toward integral, humane, and sustainable development.