This article takes a look at the top 10 NGOs in Mauritius. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) or Non-Profit organisations (NPOs) are essential for any community’s development. NGOs are independent of any government, and they serve social and humanitarian causes. NGOs in Mauritius lead the healthcare and education movements.

1. YUVA

YUVA (Youth United in Voluntary Action) was founded by Krishna Athal in 2015 to mobilise the youth of Mauritius. Today, YUVA is one of Africa’s largest and most prominent youth-led organisations. Its core principles are to create a brighter future for children and youth. It focuses on health, education, empowerment, and employment. Through its YUVA Academy, it offers leadership and entrepreneurial courses. It also has a national remedial class programme for secondary school students. YUVA is also the pioneer in promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Mauritius. Among its many accolades, YUVA has received the Africa NGO Leadership Award five years in a row.

2. TIPA

TIPA (Terrain for Interactive Pedagogy through Arts) is a Mauritian NGO that has been in operation since 2007. Its core focus has been to offer support to schools in teaching arts and to develop citizenship values. TIPA’s programmes involve parents, children, teachers, the Ministry of Education and Citizens to work together to help every child achieve their potential. Their online platform aims to share tools, information, and resources for child development.

3. LEAD

LEAD (Leadership Empowerment & Action for Development) aims to

 social challenges such as HIV and AIDS, substance abuse and poverty in Mauritius. It achieves through advocacy, prevention, sensitisation, and empowerment interventions. LEAD works with youth and provides safe spaces for communities. They promote community development across Mauritius to empower people within their communities. LEAD has developed an integrated and interactive approach to vulnerable communities since its inception in 2010.

4. Halley Movement

The Halley Movement is a grouping of charities that work for children and family welfare in Mauritius. It was founded in 1989, and its endeavours span various country sectors. The Halley movement works in partnership with the private sector and governmental institutions. It also devises policies in children’s interests and promotes the welfare of children and families in Mauritius.

5. PILS

PILS (Prévention Information Lutte contre le SIDA) was founded in 1996 to fight HIV/AIDS in Mauritius. It offers support structures to people living with HIV in Mauritius. PILS core objective is to put patients and people at risk of infection by HIV/AIDS back at the centre of fighting the pandemic.

6. Transparency Mauritius

Transparency Mauritius was founded in 1994 in Mauritius to stop corruption and promote transparency and accountability at all levels and across all sectors of Mauritian society. Its projects include ethical training for prison officers and programmes to ensure transparent political financing.

7. Maison Dawah

Maison Dawah was established in 2014 to help Mauritius’s poor and vulnerable communities. Their objectives are to provide social support, including food and counselling to families. They also promote education, training, and Dawah (inviting or calling people to embrace Islam).

8. Ahead Mauritius

Ahead Mauritius is a grass-roots NGO that works with vulnerable groups in villages and rural areas. Their primary focus is to build the capacity of women/girls on gender-based violence, education, and entrepreneurship. They also empower the youth by focusing on rights and employment. Ahead’s projects include establishing food gardens and food pack distributions.

9. Young Spirit Organisation

The Young Spirit Organisation was founded in 2010 to help vulnerable children to become active citizens in Mauritius. Its core goal is to promote the right to education. They offer two programmes designed to support children having educational, social, or psychological difficulties. These take the form of remedial classes and artistic workshops.

10. Educating The Heart NGO

Educating The Heart NGO is a group of volunteers working holistically toward Mauritian society’s welfare. Its main activities are the Peace Education Program (PEP), in partnership with the Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF). PEP consists of 10 workshop sessions focusing on peace, appreciation, inner strength, self-awareness, clarity, understanding, dignity, choice, hope and contentment. PEP is offered to all age groups across Mauritius.

Ling Sheperd is a writer based in Cape Town, South Africa. She is passionate about social justice and equity.