PHWA

Physically Handicapped
Welfare Association
Mauritius

We aim to bring relief
and promote the welfare
and development of the
physically handicapped in Mauritius,
to improve their quality of life
and give them a hope
and a future.

ABOUT US

The PHWA is situated at Joseph d’Argent Street in Rose Hill, Mauritius.Our doors are open weekdays from 8:30 to 15:30.
The number of disabled members presently attending the Centre is 60;
aged between 18 and 60 years.
Most of them have a physical disability and require wheelchairs or crutches to move.
Some are slightly mentally disabled and a few have communication impairments.They attend the Centre daily (except over weekends) to work and perform
various activities. Our minibus assures their transportation in the morning
from their residence and back again in the afternoon.
A light lunch is also provided free to all of them.

Management

A Management Committee of 12 members is elected every two years
at a General Assembly meeting, at which the PHWA office bearers are nominated.
The Committee meets on a monthly basis to assist with professional advice
and to take decisions on the different policies to be adopted and followed,
all for the smooth running of the Association.Our President is Mrs. Munohur Ashwini.The staff consists of a secretary, an assistant secretary, a supervisor,
a kitchen helper and a driver who all look after the day to day running of the Centre.

PHWA Objectives

Our prime objective is to bring relief and to promote the welfare,
development and improve the quality of life of the physically handicapped;
providing them with a social, educational and economic framework and
an entertaining environment, all essentials for their own personal growth,
their self sufficiency and their integration into society.

ACTIVITY

Training and Earning activities

In 1980, the PHWA started the first daily training courses in Industrial sewing;
lasting between 6 to 9 months. Successful trainees received Certificates
on completion of the course, some obtained jobs in the industry
and others worked in their homes.The Training Centre, until July 1982, was a joint project between the PHWA,
the Government of Mauritius and the ILO (International Labour Organisation).The PHWA provided the building, machines, running costs, materials,
equipment and Staff wages. The Government of Mauritius provided a monthly salary
of Rs 50 to each trainee, a driver, petrol, an annual grant of Rs 15 000
and the services of a Senior Welfare Officer.
The ILO provided machines, equipment, the services of an Overseas Advisor
and payment of the Trainer and Supervisor.After they received adequate training, the trainees did sewing work such as uniforms,
aprons, trousers, shirts and dresses on order from local private firms
and individuals against payment at piece work rate.Handicapped girls who are unable to work on the machines,
are making quilted cushions, table mats, and beautiful items in embroidery,
macramé, quilting, craft work, floral arrangements etc.
Members used to also recondition the earphones for Air Mauritius.Their craft work is put on sale at our own Boutique situated in the PHWA Centre,
with the Centre’s ultimate goal of helping them to earn extra money
besides their Invalidity Pension, thus enabling them to have
some degree of financial independence.

Sport and Leisure

The PHWA has in the past been represented in the International Paralympics
organised every 4 years in different countries over the world.
Sports activities such as basketball, wheelchair racing, javelin, petanque,
shot-put and discus were practiced by the disabled members of the Association.
They used to take part in local and international competitions
when the opportunity occurred. Over the years they have achieved several
great sporting results.Gardening is one of their favourite hobbies.
The boys, who cannot work inside, are trained for gardening.
They grow vegetables and flowers, providing the Centre
with some fresh produce and at the same time the yard is
embellished and provides a warm recreational place for them to enjoy.Outings to the seaside are regularly organised, they participate in indoor
and outdoor games, attend movies and several other functions are organised
on their behalf. The Centre also donates a gift to every member on their birthday.

FUNDRAISING

In the past there used to be a Ladies Welfare Committee consisting of
the Executive Committee members and volunteers who carried out home visits
to the physically handicapped throughout the island, providing their own transport
and petrol. They were responsible for most of the fundraising.Donations in kind such as powdered milk, Ovaltine, blankets, warm clothes,
bed linen etc. were distributed when the opportunity occurred.
Over the years we have received donations from well-wishers;
occasionally things like blankets, garden seeds etc.
from the Council of Social Services as well as milk and flour
from the Ministry of Health. The National Transport Corporation
used to offer free bus passes for trainees capable of travelling by public transport.Members pay an annual subscription fee of Rs 50 or a life membership of Rs 1000.
The Government provides us with an Annual Grant-in-Aid,
and a Flag Day is organised every year to meet the running costs of the Centre.We always have a long list of people requiring wheelchairs,
a few of which are given to us by other organisations and individuals
but mostly they have to be purchased from our own funds.
We also help bedridden people with wheelchairs and buggies,
and we consider requests from hospitals, private individuals
and other deserving organisations. Such requests are always in great demand
but sadly we cannot help everyone due to a shortage of these items.Our wish is to be able to help more individuals, in doing so we constantly
need financial aid, transport facilities, and more trained staff.
With outside help, we can achieve so much more towards bringing relief
to the physically handicapped in Mauritius whose numbers are unfortunately increasing.Several projects, such as our sewing machines, a solar water heater,
domestic appliances, office equipment and furniture, our minibus,
and the renovation of the garden, kitchen and Boutique
could not have been realised without local and international funding
by individuals, companies, funds and governments.
We would like to thank all of our well-wishers for your kindness and generosity
without which our job would be so much more difficult to do.
The Managing Committee and members are extremely grateful
to all of you for your help.

BOUTIQUE

Welcome to the PHWA Boutique

Here are a few examples of the lovely things created by our members
and for sale in our Boutique. These are superb for unique gift ideas
and very useful household accessories.The sales of these products help them to earn extra money
besides their Invalidity Pension, thus enabling them to have
some degree of financial independence.Feel free to visit us in Rose Hill during weekdays to browse
through all our Boutique Items.

GET INVOLVED

How to get involved…There are so many ways people can help the PHWA.Whether it is through financial donations, or visiting our Boutique and purchasing craft works, donations in kind, or even giving some of your time…We are always grateful for any outside assistance.If you would like to get involved, please contact us for any information you may need.

HISTORY

A brief history

In 1945, Mauritius was hit by an island-wide disease known as Poliomyelitis
(infantile paralysis). Many children died, those who survived were paralysed
and bedridden, and nearly all of them had to be hospitalised and some
became a burden to their families.In November 1960, several generous people from all sections of the population
formed the CRIPPLES WELFARE ASSOCIATION
at the Princess Margaret Orthopaedic Centre, aiming to help these children.The first fundraising dance was held a month later and since then
continuous efforts have been made to raise funds, especially as it became
necessary to have a specially designed Centre for orthopedically handicapped people.Over Rs 120 000 was made from fundraising efforts, voluntary public subscriptions
and donations. This was used to build a rehabilitation centre in Rose Hill
on a plot of land leased from the Government just behind the law courts,
and inaugurated by the Prime Minister Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
on the 4th of July, 1973.The Association changed its name to the Physically Handicapped Welfare Association
during the “Year of the disabled” in 1981.Today, the PHWA is often visited by well-wishers, government officials
and foreign visitors involved in similar work, and we are very proud to note
that this Centre continues to cater for a good number
of physically handicapped people to the present day.Below is an historical compilation
from the PHWA Archives.Click or tap on the image below to open the PDF File.

NEWS

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CONTACT

PHWA MauritiusJoseph d’Argent StreetRose HillMauritius71366Tel : + 230 464 4845E-mail : [email protected]Website : www.phwamauritius.comYou can find us at the above contacts or just fill in the contact form below
with your message and we will reply to you as soon as possible.