Events
Salon de Santé, Sports et Bien Etre - July 2009
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
In order to run an effective programme with the objective of enhancing the quality of life of the sufferers, the MDA requires financial resources to:
i) Purchase vital equipments for the welfare/wellbeing and for life-saving purposes and
ii) Run an office for the implementation of projects ,etc.
With this in mind, emphasis is laid, at our association, on sensitisation/awareness campaigns targeting the government, the public, the corporate bodies etc.
In this context the MDA was invited and , in fact, successfully participated in the 2nd Salon de la Sante, Sport et Bien Etre on 04.07.09 to 05.07.09 at the Swami Vivekananda International Conference Centre, Pailles organised by Editiel Ltee which attracted a very large crowd. Being an NGO the MDA was offered a stand free of charge for the event. We displayed posters, pamphlets, relevant newspaper/newsletter cuttings, photos of some of the sufferers, the book "Voices of Hope" by Philip Wan to demonstrate their plight. A AFM(Association Francaise contre les Myopathies) film was shown non-stop during the function. A few parents brought along their boys on their motorised wheelchairs at the stand. Many visitors stopped at our stand and showed keen interest to understand and to inquire about the disease and the conditions of the boys. Even the Honourable Rajesh Jeetah, Minister of Health and Quality of Life interacted with the members of the MDA. He took good note of our grievances and our needs and promised the Government's, through his Ministry, assistance to them.
The Secretary of the Association also intervened on the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation radio to sensitise the public.
This function also gave the MDA, in the context of fund-raising, the opportunity to solicit help from companies operating stands for eventual sponsorships.
We look forward to the next similar function which is scheduled next year at the same place and to which the MDA has already been invited.
photos available on the photo gallery page (courtesy Mrs Danielle Wan)