Children attending the La Pointe arts centre in Tamarin have reason to be delighted. This school, which has been offering free drawing classes for 15 years, has had a makeover. Since Sunday, September 15, those who attend this place have been able to discover other activities while enjoying the reading corner. Parents have also had the opportunity to learn painting. From now on, the La Pointe arts school in Tamarin also offers piano and ravanne lessons. This transformation was initiated by an Irish couple, Ben and Naomie, living in Mauritius.
This centre was founded by social worker and musician Zanzak Arjoon to help children in Tamarin avoid falling into the trap of drugs while helping them to flourish and improve their performance at school. The success rate at the local primary school has increased from 40% to 70% since this concept was introduced in the village. Initially, painting classes were given at the local primary school, then the Black River District Council provided a building for them. Jean-Yves L’Onflé, a local painter, has devoted his Sundays for the past 15 years to giving free classes to children at the La Pointe art school in Tamarin. He is supported by Eric Laviolette, another painter. In fifteen years, six exhibitions have been organised by the students and many works have been sold. Since the centre was created, around 80 children have attended it, many of whom have become adults. Some, in turn, send their children there.
The transformation of the La Pointe centre in Tamarin began when the Irish couple visited the children and appreciated the concept. “Ben and Naomi said they would help us, but we didn’t know the change would be so profound.”explains Jean-Yves L’Onflé. The couple approached designer and architect Mario Guillot, who designed the design and interior layout of the center. “The idea was to make the place more comfortable for the children and allow them to learn other things”adds Jean-Yves L’Onflé. Several patrons contributed to it, and the work began last May.
Despite these changes and the addition of new courses, everything remains free for local children. However, parents of expatriate children will make a symbolic contribution to support the center’s expenses. Moreover, the center’s founder, Zanzak Arjoon, is appealing to authorities and sponsors to install solar panels to reduce electricity costs. He also dreams of seeing other similar centers open in Rivière-Noire and Case-Noyale, among others.
For the reopening of this center, singers such as Denis Fricot, Jasmine Toulouse, Dean Nookadu and Jean-Jacques Arjoon hosted the evening, with fire-eaters also performing. Some painters, including Jean-Yves L’Onflé, Julia Carossin, Alexandrine Belle-Étoile, Eric Laviolette, Wayne Longflet and Jude Sungeelee, will exhibit their works until the end of October 2024.
Related News :