Red Heart Group on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the Red Heart Group (with some members of the Green Flower Group) visited PILS and Le Pont du Tamarinier

SALT visit to PILS (Prévention, Information, Lutte contre le Sida).

Strengths seen during SALT visit to PILS

• An independence of spirit. No more than 10% funding from government

• A depth of understanding about the situation in Mauritius

• A clear picture of where the organisation wanted to go.

• A recognition of the need for a community conversation. Provides a voice for a lot of people. Fearless. Enthusiasm, motivation and courage.

• Coherence

• Courage, perseverance and a willingness to share

• The political and legal process is a key part of work of the organisation.

SALT visit to Le Pont du Tamarinier.

Strengths seen during visit to Le Pont du Tamarinier

• A determination to come together to create an enterprise A great deal of joy.

• They didn’t talk too much, but when they did it was joyful.

• They are indeed a bridge to many things and to many people

• A willingness of people to share skills and talents with others.

• We saw here that politicians can be part of this process.

Reflections on the day

1. What went well and why ?

a. We had a lot of information about the activities of PILS

b. (LPDT). Effective and useful exchange/sharing with ladies during the afternoon ; we could make a real SALT with beneficiaries.

2. What can we do differently next time ?

a. (PILS). We need to have representatives from « beneficiaries » of the NGO

b. (PILS). Difficulty to make a real SALT visit with only two staff from the as it was difficult to relate figures (given by the 2 staff of PILS) with real facts and stories from the beneficiaries ; we did not have the possibility to get real stories. NGO ;

3. What did we learn about today ?

a. (PILS). Visitors were impressed to see/feel the humanity of the founder (current director of PILS) who transformed –what was considered as a weeakness at the beginning – in a real strength for this organisation;

b. (LPDT). Members of LPDT could develop a dreamd and then take action after they practiced SALT ; the first consequence was a strong determination of the women to achieve what they wanted.

c. (LPDT). Importance of creating links within and outside of the organisation with people who can help and provide additional support to the group. Need to ensure transfer of competences and good management of the volunteers’ time. Beyond the mobilization, there is need to listen the volunteers as well.

d. (LPDT). There was a great pleasure to be alltogether ; but Government can also be part of communities.

e. (LPDT). It is necessary to come back to the grassroot people themselves if we want to have an effective practice of SALT ;