Youth empowerment in Bel Ombre: Bouze Zenes’ first year of impact

Youth empowerment in Bel Ombre: Bouze Zenes’ first year of impact on locals

The first edition of Bouze Zenes wrapped up in November 2024, but its ripple effects are continuing to show. Over seven months, this youth empowerment programme brought together more than 100 young people from Bel Ombre and the surrounding regions, including Baie du Cap, St Martin, Rivière des Galets and Choisy. This initiative was designed to ignite possibilities through a journey of personal growth, physical activity and future-ready skills.

A shared commitment for long-term impact

Driven by the Group's Foundation (formerly Rogers Foundation), the Bouze Zenes programme, funded by Heritage Villas Valriche and supported by ER Hospitality, has been essential in nurturing essential skills and personal growth opportunities for young individuals aged 13 to 24. 

The initiative supports two pillars of ER Group’s Sustainability & Inclusive Development (S&ID) Framework, Inclusive Development and Vibrant Communities, through three key areas:
 

1. Personal development: More than 100 young individuals have been encouraged to grow both personally and socially through dynamic workshops tailored to a variety of interests and developmental needs. Awareness sessions led by PILS and DRIP opened the space for conversations around sexual health, emotional well-being and substance prevention. Other highlights of their journey included edutainment visits to sites such as Odysseo, Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, La Vanille Nature Park, World of Seashells, and the Heritage Marine Education Centre, among others.

    

2. Sports participation and fitness:  Participants were introduced to new sports, including Stand Up Paddleboarding, and engaged in regular physical activities to foster well-being and fitness, with opportunities to explore various regions through these activities. 

    

3. Employability skills: Equipping participants with crucial skills such as workplace readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to enhance their career prospects. 

    

This collaborative effort was also made possible through partnerships with esteemed NGOs including Lovebridge, PILS, DRIP,  Active Mauritius, and JA Mascareignes, all driven by the purpose of empowering the next generation.

A successful certificate ceremony and new opportunities ahead

The Bouze Zenes programme concluded its first edition with a certificate ceremony on 29 November 2024 at La Place du Moulin. This event marked the culmination of a journey for the youth that not only enhanced their skills but also instilled a sense of pride and achievement.

“Since April 2024, I have been part of the Bouze Zenes programme and have learned a lot, discovered new things, and made new friends. I encouraged the youth to join this programme whenever they can,” shares Gregory Pénélope, one of the participants of Bouze Zenes. 

“We started with a small group of about fifty youngsters. As the project gained momentum, our sessions, conducted in collaboration with various NGOs and partners, attracted increasingly more participants. The first graduation ceremony symbolises the successful impact of these young individuals. It has been a privilege to support them from the outset,” explains Priscille Noël, Head of Social Impact at ER Group. 

Looking ahead

With a strong interest from both the children and parents, Bouze Zenes is continuing in 2025. New activities such as boxing, football, art and music will be incorporated to expand the programme’s scope. Bouze Zenes reflects a long-term vision: to build vibrant, inclusive communities by investing in the next generation. It is a step forward and a spark of what is possible when young people lead the way.

Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of Bouze Zenes. To learn more and become part of this growing community, visit the Bouze Zenes Facebook page.