On Sunday 5th August 2018, about 150 marchers joined the driving forces of Cité L’Agrément in Saint-Pierre to protest against the scourges of drugs and alcohol, which have been increasingly affecting the region. ENL Foundation was one of the organisers of this peaceful march.
The march started in Kendra Shopping Mall in Saint-Pierre and proceeded to Cité L’Agrément’s recreational centre, to the sound of the police band’s beating drums. Several speeches were delivered, with keynote speakers such as Danny Philippe, Imran Dhannoo, a representative of the Drug Unit and the President of the citizen council. Adults and children, drivers and pedestrians were all treated to a special performance by the Comédie Mauricienne, followed by a police dog demonstration.
Local stakeholders were the first to seek the collaboration of ENL Foundation. Strongly involved in the fight against extreme poverty, ENL quite naturally agreed to support their efforts. “Drug and alcohol abuse almost inevitably lead to job loss, family breakdown and deprivation,” says Jean-Paul Hennequin, CSR Coordinator of ENL Foundation.
While the main purpose of the march was to raise awareness of the damages caused by such substances among the locals, there is much more to do. Indeed, many other initiatives, such as public talks and workshops, are being planned. Besides ENL Foundation and Kendra, the event was also sponsored by the National Empowerment Foundation, the Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, the Moka District Council and the Mauritius Police Force.
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