JA Africa Company of the Year Competition in Nigeria - Outstanding performance by Lorette College of St-Pierre: The Mauritian team wins five medals and secures second place

The girls from Lorette College of St-Pierre triumphed in Nigeria, bringing home five medals thanks to their innovative air-purifying plant, the Plantura Small Pot, and achieving second place in the JA Africa Company of the Year Competition.

They proudly wore the blue and white checkered uniform of Lorette College of St-Pierre. Ameydee Chocken, Yehzile Gopaulen, Drishti Gooroochurn, Lashna Gungabissnoon, Selvina Chavrimootoo, and Kushika Mohabeer returned from Nigeria with five medals: the Best Facilitator Award, the FirstBank CEO Entrepreneurship Award, the Entrepreneur’s Organisation Rising Leader Award, the Delta Lead Award, and a second-place prize of $2,000.

The Mauritian finalists faced teams from 15 countries during the JA Africa Company of the Year Competition (COY) held recently. They had promised to showcase the Mauritian flag, and they succeeded.

They are affectionately nicknamed "Ti karo ble blan," similar to how the girls from Queen Elizabeth College are called "Cato Vert." It’s a playful tradition among teens, a gesture of friendship and camaraderie that brings smiles. Yet behind these endearing nicknames lie young girls who have taken on a significant challenge.

To reach this point, they first had to compete against around forty Mauritian colleges: SSS Droopnath Ramphul, Lorette of Rose-Hill, SSS Gaetan Raynal, Westcoast International Secondary School, and others, all of whom submitted their projects to JA Mauritius.

Laurence Forget-Ramah, a representative of JA Mauritius, explained the process: "We invited all interested colleges to submit their projects. If the idea is accepted, students then conduct market research with a prototype of their project. Among many teams, the judges select five finalists for Mauritius."

On the day of the competition, these five finalist teams defended their projects covering finance, marketing, corporate social responsibility, among others. A multitude of products emerged from the hard work of these adolescents, showcasing their intelligence and perseverance. The aim of this competition is not to tear each other apart, but to come together around scientific, artistic, artisanal, or innovative projects, requiring creative problem-solving for sometimes whimsical yet relevant projects.

The Lorette College of St-Pierre team won the national selection. Their secret weapon? The Plantura Small Pot, a next-generation air-purifying plant. Supported by their mentor Claire Ah Young, the team focused on a forward-thinking project.

With the help of artificial intelligence, the college’s technical department, and sponsors, the students developed a system combining natural filtration and technology. The prototype features multiple layers: stones for improved drainage and aeration, activated charcoal to absorb toxins and neutralize odors, cocopeat to retain water while allowing air circulation, and refined potting soil to promote plant health.

They chose the "snake plant," which can release oxygen even at night, making it ideal for bedrooms and offices. It also filters toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. Customers can also opt for alternative purifying plants such as peace lilies, bamboo palms, or spider plants, depending on their preferences.

"I must emphasize that this is not a race; it helps young people work in teams, push their limits, and gain knowledge that they cannot acquire through academics," noted Laurence Forget-Ramah. It’s not a competition but a learning and sharing experience worth repeating.

Lorette of Rose-Hill secured second place in the Mauritian national selection, proving that whether from St-Pierre or Rose-Hill, the "Ti karo ble blan" honor their uniform and their country.