Reopening of the Former Oiseau du Paradis in Cap Malheureux: A New Hope
The reopening of the former Oiseau du Paradis in Cap Malheureux: A New Hope
The children’s shelter at Cap Malheureux will reopen its doors this Saturday, December 6. Closed and under investigation since June 5, it is now under the supervision of the National Children’s Council (NCC). The center has a new name, but the team remains the same.
The shelter will have 33 educators and aides, 2 general workers, 3 maintenance staff, and 2 cooks, with a capacity to accommodate 30 boys aged 5 to 17. The previous team underwent basic training in child psychology and law in November, provided by the ministry and the NGO Pedo-Stop. They have officially been in position since December 1.
These points were emphasized by Minister Arianne Navarre-Marie in Parliament on Tuesday. However, these explanations were not enough to avoid backlash. The decision to retain the same team is divisive, as is the reintegration of 25 employees who have been suspended since July 2018, which will be subject to an individual assessment by the NCC.
“What guarantees do we have that the mindset will change?” asked Anabelle Savabaddy, an elected official from constituency No. 4. The minister replied, “I have no guarantees.”
Concerns remain. Stéphanie Anquetil, a Labour Party MP from No. 18, asked, “How do you plan to avoid the same issues?” Arianne Navarre-Marie responded, “That’s why ongoing training will be provided.” The Labour MP called for a new inspection visit, which had previously been denied. This time, the minister assured, “Certainly!”
In contact with Le Défi Quotidien, Stéphanie Anquetil remains skeptical:
“I don’t know if this will really happen, even though she said yes in Parliament. And most importantly: when? I will send an official correspondence today to request this visit.”
Optimistically, Arianne Navarre-Marie told Le Défi Quotidien: “With the appointment of the new director, the shelter has been administratively operational since December 4. Keeping the same staff is a humane approach. The renovations make the shelter more child-friendly. We want to turn the page on the past with Cap l’Espoir.”
The reopening is under close scrutiny, in a climate mixed with anticipation and concern.
Is there real hope? Answers will come in the coming days.
Table of Issues
The Oiseau du Paradis shelter, sealed on June 5, was plagued by a series of serious incidents: the escape of three children tested positive for synthetic drugs, deplorable infrastructure, and overwhelmed staff.
The report from the Fact Finding Committee, published in July, highlighted significant shortcomings: insufficient supervision, non-compliance with protocols, and structural failures. This led to:
– the suspension of night staff,
– sanctions against the Council Secretary and several NCC executives.
Since then, the center has remained closed. An Officer-in-Charge was appointed to the NCC Board, and the staff underwent training. Renovation work began on November 15.
The decision to reopen this establishment, now renamed Cap l’Espoir, was announced on November 28 by the Council of Ministers. The shelter is now compliant with the Residential Care Institutions for Children Regulations 2022, validated by the Licensing and Enforcement Section of the ministry. Management, enhanced supervision, and new governance are now the responsibility of the NCC.