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OMAT - Overseas Mauritians Aid Trust

What's happening at Cité Malherbes

Since 2001, we have worked closely with the Organisation Fraternelle de Malherbes. a local organisation set up in 1968 in answer to the social needs of the people of the ‘Cité’ with the objectives of self help for the community, the development of cultural, social, and sporting activities, and the improvement of the quality of life for the people of the locality.

In February 2003, at a joint meeting of OMAT and Organisation Fraternelle, it was decided that OMAT would take the lead to get the project off the ground. Through Mr Bernard Perrine, an architect from Beau Bassin, Planning Permission was finally given by the Municipality of Curepipe in February 2005. Mr Perrine will also supervise the project.

Laying of the first stone

On Saturday, 28th May 2005, Paul Raymond Bérenger, the then Prime Minister of Mauritius , laid the first stone of a hall and crèche at ‘Cité Malherbes’ in Curepipe. This was the culmination of years of effort to get the planning permissions, and of course the necessary finance to build. In August 2005, OMAT ( Mauritius ) Ltd was incorporated as a Private Company limited by guarantee. The following year in January 2006, OMAT ( Mauritius ) Ltd applied to have the organisation's name on the land lease.

On 19th December 2007, the document for the lease on the State Land at Cité

Malherbes was signed. On Friday 13th June 2008, our organisation in Mauritius ,

OMAT ( Mauritius ) Ltd,has finally been granted the lease on a portion of State Land

of 986.34m² at Cité Malherbes Housing Estates in Curepipe.

Plans were submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Town Country Planning in the name of OMAT ( Mauritius ) Ltd and were finally agreed on 22nd October 2008. We have been given clearance by the

Central Electricity Board and the Central Water Authority and on 30th January 2009, We submitted the plans to the Municipality of Curepipe in the name of OMAT (Mauritius) Ltd . Planning permission was given by the Municipality on 12th February 2009. The future is in our hands and we hope that some of the dreams of the inhabitants of Cité Malherbes will soon become reality. The ground work has been done. No progress is possible without hard work and perseverance. Focus, commitment and drive are the three elements needed from our team in Mauritius to reach our goal. The Trustees of the Overseas Mauritius Aid Trust in the United Kingdom have done everything possible to ensure the success of the project. It is now up to the people at the sharp end to show some initiatives and start raising their aspirations and those of their children. Organisation and coordination have to be worked on. The search for reliable builders to tender for the work and criteria for selection is now completed. A builder has been chosen and we received their final estimates on 24th June 2009. The architect drew up the contract for the project and the contract was signed on 29th August 2009.

As any person involved in construction work will tell you, it is not always easy going. As soon as money is involved, the problems start. Notice was served on the builder and new selection process for another builder is in place and we hope that work can continue on the project soon. Coordination and communication with people in Mauritius can be slow and painful as well. On the positive side, we are increasing our supporters base. An association involved in the education field has joined OMAT ( Mauritius ) Ltd and members of another association are actively involved in the building project.

Nicaise Sylvain, who has been actively involved with the project since its inception, is emigrating to Canada in March 2010. We wish him full success in his endeavours. It is hoped that he will continue to help the organisation.

Any advice, views, and help from Mauritians everywhere are welcome.