Mauritius: The Life Enhancement Education Programme (LEEP), commonly known as training in Life Skills to assist beneficiaries under the Social Register of Mauritius (SRM) towards changing their mindset for a better future, was launched on 25 September 2023 at the Plaisance Community Centre in Rose Hill.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, was present at the event, which is an initiative of the Ministry in collaboration with the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF).
In her address, Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo underscored that the LEEP comprises a panoply of programmes to help address issues such as self-esteem, health and contraceptive measures, the importance of education and family budgeting, entrepreneurship skills and ensuring good neighbourhood, substance abuse and moral values.
The programme, she said, targets some 300 beneficiaries who will benefit from seven training sessions by the staff of NEF.
She added that The LEEP is geared towards equipping the beneficiaries with prerequisite values and principles to succeed in their personal lives and career pathways.
She stressed that the Government is doing all in its capacity to foster inclusion and promote an equitable society. Several initiatives, such as free education, free transport, and free healthcare services, are being provided to relieve the population, especially those at the bottom of the social ladder.
The Minister spoke of the Marshall Plan established by the Government in 2016 to scale up efforts to eradicate poverty and provide more support to disadvantaged citizens. The Government, she said, is offering beneficiaries financial assistance, educational support and housing facilities through the NEF and the National Social Inclusion Foundation.
To this end, she mentioned two social housing schemes offered by the Government, namely: funding of up to 80% as construction cost to those who already own land or have leased land with those housing units to be constructed by NEF; and provision made to reserve 10% of National Housing Development Co Ltd housing units for families on the SRM.
Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo urged more beneficiaries to benefit from the LEEP as it will better shape their everyday lives and guide them in their career development for greater success.