2006 was the first year in which we decided to try and help the children on Mauritius that could do with some help. Do not compare Mauritius with countries like Rwanda or Ethiopia, that is a whole different kind of poverty. However, there are still a lot of children who need help, often in little things and sometimes with bigger things.

In Albion for example we found a situation where 52 children were kept in a 4 bedroom house in a really poor state! These children were all taken out of their families due to a number of different problems. Drug abuse and addiction with the parents, prostitution or just simple neglect. The most horrible example of what we found there was a really cute young boy (3 years old) who was found in a bin one year before! As his family could not afford to look after him (drugs and prostitution) he was dumped there.

During this period we also organised a day on the beach for over 60 children who came from different shelters throughout the island. With a massive thank you to Fréderic Berger, the manager at Villas Caroline in Flic-en- Flac at the time. He made it all possible, from transporting these kids to the hotel and back to a nice silver serivce lunch that was provided for them, all on the expense of the hotel. This must have been one of the most joyful days of our lives as we played with them on the beach and watched them have fun in the sea. Many of them never get to see the sea, however small the island is, it is very special for them.

Due to certain unpleasant circumstances we cannot show you any pictures of the Villas Caroline day, our apologies.