Mauritius’ 27-Year Fight: Supporting 80 Visually Impaired Lives

Members of the Blind and Visually Impaired Association (BAVIA), despite their blindness, learn to perform daily tasks such as cooking. For over 27 years, BAVIA has worked quietly to highlight the dignity, resilience, and challenges faced by non-sighted and partially sighted people in Mauritius.

The association’s president, Robin Baboolall, is pictured as above alongside the President of Mauritius, Dharam Gokhool.

Founded in 1997, the organization is more than just a group; it’s a support network, a space for reintegration, and a place for active engagement. Its efforts are driven by members who find a new purpose, including its president, Robin Baboolall.

Recently, BAVIA organized a half-day free screening for diabetes and hypertension in Coromandel.

The event was praised, but it also reminded Baboolall of the importance of caring for those often overlooked. “Once young people turn 18, they no longer qualify for support from the Loïs Lagesse Trust Fund,” he explained.

“The law is this way. Many are left alone, without prospects or assistance. A small group of friends, all concerned about visual impairment, decided to create this association to support each other.” BAVIA was officially established on August 29, 1997.

Today, the organization has nearly 80 members aged between 19 and over 70. It serves as a place for socializing, learning, and activities. Members make handcrafted items such as baskets, containers, and woven goods from rattan—an age-old craft for the visually impaired, valued for its patience and precision.

The sales of these products help fund the association’s operations. However, challenges persist.

“We used to pay Rs 35 per pound of rattan; now it’s Rs 450. It’s become a luxury for us,” Baboolall explained, expressing frustration over rising costs amid limited resources.

A society that looks away

Beyond financial struggles, Baboolall points to societal indifference. “When I take the metro, the yellow seats reserved for people with disabilities are often occupied by able-bodied passengers who refuse to give up their seat,” he lamented.

He also highlighted hazards like cars parked on sidewalks, unmarked potholes, and preventable accidents. “In Beau Bassin, a woman fell into a deep hole because there were no warning signs or alerts,” he recalled.

Public infrastructure remains largely inaccessible. When it comes to employment, the situation is equally dire.

“To work on a computer, you need specialized software like a screen reader, which costs between Rs 60,000 and Rs 70,000. Who will invest that much when true inclusion isn’t offered?” Baboolall questioned.

He also recounted instances of insensitivity: “Last week, someone bumped into me, and instead of apologizing, they criticized me for not seeing clearly. When I showed them my white cane, they walked away without a word.”

Personal journey and future plans

Baboolall’s story is one of resilience. He was not born blind. In 2012, a severe hypertension crisis (his blood pressure reached 25/15) damaged his optic nerves, causing him to lose sight overnight.

He then experienced three years of silence, isolation, and self-reflection until a friend encouraged him to join BAVIA.

Since then, he has found purpose through service to others. “I realized that we can still be useful and still dream,” he says.

Looking ahead, BAVIA is planning to launch an agricultural project tailored for non-sighted people, in partnership with the Food & Agricultural Research & Extension Institute.

Training sessions have already been completed. “It’s a way to restore confidence and open new doors,” said Baboolall. Despite daily hardships, he remained hopeful. “We are often pushed aside, but we are not invisible. We exist and move forward. With a little listening, a lot of respect, and some adjustments, everyone can live better,” he affirmed. His message is both hopeful and a call for collective awareness. True inclusion means that no one’s light should ever go out.

Source: l’Express