Since its founding in 2007, Ti Rayons Soleil has been dedicated to fostering a more inclusive society for Mauritian children.
In remote rural areas and urban slums, where exclusion runs deep, Ti Rayons Soleil’s programs provide children aged 2 to 13 with the opportunity to break free from isolation.. We support their education from early childhood through to after-school programs. These initiatives are built on the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. All of our projects comply with the relevant laws in Mauritius, including the Children’s Act, the ECCEA Act, and more.
Over the years, these programs have fostered collaborations with experts and created strong partnerships with governmental, semi-governmental, and non-governmental organizations. This collective effort has been key to driving positive changes since 2007.
Preschools
At Ti Rayons Soleil, our mission is to fight poverty and exclusion through education, reaching over 350 children every day.
We firmly believe that quality education is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change. That is why we manage four preschools across Mauritius, providing children with a strong foundation for their future.
Our preschools offer inclusive, high-quality education through a holistic approach, serving communities in various regions, including those classified as "poverty pockets."
With alarmingly high illiteracy rates in these areas, we focus on providing targeted educational support from the very beginning of a child’s learning journey. Each of our preschools in Curepipe, Tamarin, Vacoas, and Mahébourg serves approximately 150 children daily. Additionally, in collaboration with the Afrasia Foundation and Afrasia Bank, we also manage Afrasia School in Curepipe, providing further support for young learners.
We take a holistic approach to education, blending professional expertise with a commitment to long-term, sustainable change.
Each of our preschools is named after a local bird species, helping children connect with Mauritius’ unique natural heritage.
Through hands-on activities, they also learn about conservation and the importance of protecting endemic species.
‘Dessine-moi un mouton’
The “Dessine-moi un mouton” project, funded by the Livina Foundation, focuses on early detection and inclusion of children with special needs in preschool environments.
In Mauritius, there are very few resources for children with special needs between the ages of 3 and 5. With the rising number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly in vulnerable communities, our preschools have developed a holistic team that identifies children’s needs early on and supports parents through the steps needed to assess their child’s condition.
We have also introduced an inclusive, tailored approach to teaching, ensuring that children with language or developmental delays can integrate into the classroom while focusing on the areas where they need the most support.
The name "Dessine-moi un mouton" comes from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In the story, after several failed attempts, the Little Prince asks the aviator to draw a simple box with holes for the sheep, allowing it to breathe.
This reflects the idea that sometimes the solution is not what we expect, but what works best for the individual. In the same way, working with children who have special needs is not always about following a specific plan, it is rather about finding what works best for each child. Our amazing team taps into their creativity every day, designing new methods and educational tools that help children grow, learn, and reach their full potential in ways that suit them best.
Les boulbouls Play center
This small centre, funded by the Livina Foundation as a pilot project, welcomes around fifteen children aged 2 to 3 for morning activities and play. It provides a safe space for children while allowing their mothers to work during this time.
The purpose of this “awakening center” is to prepare children for preschool by helping them establish a sense of routine, gain independence in their development, and offer them the opportunity to play and discover the world around them.
During this time, we foster positive relationships with parents. We are dedicated to offering compassionate support, providing assistance with administrative tasks, and creating empowering programs aimed at uplifting and enhancing their experiences.. These children come from the slums and face extreme poverty, which is why the center is completely free of charge.
Educational support for children aged 5 to 13
The “Sun Kids Educational, Care and Development Programme” (DCP I), in partnership with the EU Delegation’s decentralized office, was launched in 2008. As part of the fight against poverty through access to education for young children, we established an educational support center that is still running strong, more than 15 years later.
Today, 160 children aged 5 to 13 are supported across our 4 centres.
Thanks to the support of NSIF, Livina Foundation, Afrasia Foundation, and Charles River, we have expanded this program to other parts of the island. Currently, we have 4 “Afterschool” centers in operation: Vacoas, Rivière Noire, Curepipe, and Mahebourg.
Each day, they engage in an educational support program, enjoy a nutritious dinner, and are safely escorted home. For instance, at our Rivière Noire center, the children have planted a small garden where they grow vegetables. The program is designed to be creative, dynamic and continuously evolving to include new activities and a personalized learning approach that caters to each child’s unique needs. Key elements of the program include:
- Supplementary lessons and remedial support
- Individualized educational follow-up
- A variety of learning courses
- Access to recreational activities
- Educational outings
- Balanced dinners provided after the programs
- Access to medical care
- Personalized psychological support
- Social support for families
