Newsletter no. 26 City Buzz JCI City Plus (Mauritius)

CITY BUZZ

The Official Newsletter of JCI City Plus (Mauritius)

Issue 26 - November 2020

Editor in Chief's Message

Dear Readers of City Buzz As we near the end of 2020, it is time to reflect on this earth-shattering 2020 with the world being taken aback with so many hurdles. Our heavenly island was not spared and was hit with two major crises namely the COVID-19 and the Wakashio Oil Spill. At JCI City Plus (Mauritius), we are proud to say that we did not sit on our laurels and have been endorsing our Active Citizenship jackets.

However it does not stop here. Our island is being eroded by various other social scourges namely drug abuse among the youth. Hence it is time for you to act and not just complain about what is happening.

As I sign off this year as Local Vice-President, I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in helping our 2020 Board deliver despite the various struggles along the way. I wish our 2021 Board to shine brighter and keep the flag flying.

On a final note, my sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to this newsletter and wish you all a pleasant reading.

I'doumben (Ben) Naidu Venkatakistnen 2020 Local Vice-President (Community Development and PR)

""The Youth is the hope of the future" Jose Rizal

2020 Motto: CONNECTING THROUGH BROTHERHOOD

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2020 Local President's Message Dear Readers, Warm Greetings!

It is with mixed feelings that I write these few words. We all know how special this year has been for all of us. I do not believe that there has been one community that has been spared by this deadly pandemic.

As we get closer to ending this year it is important for us, to reflect and understand the lessons that we have been able to gather this year. 2020 has been mostly a year of reflection, reflection on what our priorities have been and what they should be instead. Each individual has had his/her fair lot of emotions and challenges to face, I believe this year has made us stronger and more determined.

Starting this year was equal to stepping into the unknown. As the year unfolded itself, we managed to engage, empower and grow. Through the challenges, we discovered innumerable challenges and growth opportunities. Getting out of our comfort zones allowed us to have a broader and better insight be personally or professionally.

Today, looking back over this special year, I can only feel a sense of deep appreciation. I would like to thank each and every Board Members, Members, Senators and Aspiring Members for making this year a memorable one. My special thoughts go mostly to my Team who have been there with their unwavering support and determination to make this year a successful one. They have worked day and night to, not only to make the projects happen, but to make them impactful.

All what we did, would not have been possible without the support and help of our partners and sponsors, who have been there every time we knocked at the door. They believed in us and our dreams and helped us make them happen. I seize this opportunity to also thank our fellow JCI Organisations, be Local or National ones, for having supported us for different trainings and/or projects.

As I set to draw the curtain as 2020 Local President, I can only share my gratitude vis a vis everyone for having been part of this journey. Parents, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, Members, Senators, it will be hard to name you all, but please know that you have been special links to this chain of union.

We shall continue to Connect Through Brotherhood! It might be the end of a chapter, but the journey continues‌ Yours in JCI Spirit, Jaya Mulloo 2020 Local President

What are your wishes for JCI City Plus (Mauritius) for 2021? Let us hear from our 2020 Board members Jaya Mulloo - 2020 Local President Profession: Relationship Manager Passionate about: Community work My ernest wish for JCI City Plus, is that we continue to focus on the growth of our members and ourselves. Adversity, challenges, hurdles, you name it, will always be present, but how we carve our path it what determines its efficiency and strength. The future of JCI can only be brighter if we focus on our journey and common goals. Like an African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone: But if you want to go far, go together…”

Geetanjali Ramkishore - 2020 Immediate Past President Profession: Accountant Passionate about: Networking and Experiencing new adventures

2020 has been a different year from all the previous years with COVID-19.

This has changed the life of many people across the globe and I believe it is the best time for NGOs like Junior Chamber International to restrategize the plan of action to adapt to the new changing environment and add more meaning to people's life. JCI City Plus should change its recruitment strategy and focus more on the value it brings to its members' life, be it in terms of projects, training and other extracurricular activities. I wish the 2021 Local Board Members of JCI City Plus all the best for the upcoming year. Let's Rise In Synergy.

Chrisinta Chavrimootoo - 2020 Local Secretary Profession: Barrister Passionate about: Arts in all its forms (be it performing, literary or visual), Snorkelling and Hiking I hope that we will continue to grow together in synergy, as our results exceed the sums of our parts. Indeed, we are stronger as a team and have more impact as we lean in to each other's strengths. I hope that we will continue to value our members and be attuned to our community's needs.

Finally, I wish that we find enjoyment and fulfilment as active citizens.

Dalini (Sheivi) Servansingh - 2020 Local Treasurer Profession: Industrial Engineer Passionate about: Badminton and Guitar

2020 having been rough, yet a year that has matured up many of us in these unprecedented times as we step into another fresh year with a leap of faith. As 2021 is around the corner and about to kick in, I wish that JCI City Plus (Mauritius) continues to empower and inspire by providing development opportunities to all Jaycees. As we have connected through brotherhood, let us all rise in synergy and continue supporting one another and help the community thrive even more. I also seize this opportunity to congratulate the 2021 Board, comprising of both experienced and young members and wish them good luck ahead. May the JCI City Plus family get bigger and more impactful !

Preshan Kissoondoyal - 2020 Local Vice-President Profession: IT auditor Passionate about: Gym and Badminton

This year 2020 will be remembered as one of the most important and hectic year of all times. The COVID-19, an uninvited guest has brought loads of difficulties in everyone's lives. But one thing is sure that we as active citizens will do anything in 2021 in our capacity to help the community to overcome the so-called social calamities. Hence one of the main objectives for the year 2021 is to recover from what has brought us to our knees by empowering people with tools and guiding them through their difficult journeys. We at JCI City Plus have started a series of long term impactful and sustainable projects in 2020 which will be continued in 2021. I can only end by quoting Bill Gates: "Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years"

I'doumben (Ben) Venkatakistnen - 2020 Local Vice-President Profession: Senior Fund Administrator Passionate about: Public Speaking, Trail Running and Cooking

My wishes for 2021 is that JCI City Plus (Mauritius) keep shining and that we have more manpower to create that positive change we desire. I got no doubt that the 2021 Board will not sit on its laurels and look forward that the members and other active citizens will join the forces with the 2021 Board to support the mission and vision of our Chapter.

Meet our aspiring member: Zabeen

Zabeen Kareeman is one of our latest aspiring members who joined the organisation July of this year and has been showing a keen interest in our projects. She was in the team of the Art Mela and we can tell you that she gave her absolute best in making this event a success. Let us find more about his passionate aspiring member.

Zabeen, what is called to be an extrovert person. Energetic, outgoing, observative with a mindset of always learning something from any situation.

Being lazy and doing nothing is the complete opposite of who I am.

The reason for joining JCI is in order for me to develop the ideas I have been storing in my mind for a while and JCI proved to be just the right organisation to go to. It is after all a family full of talented people and I intend to take full benefit in terms of increasing my knowhow and to implement my ideas for a better future for the society.

Call it a hobby or not, in my free time, I am all about finding innovative stuff to do. I also love doing agricultural farming and sports where I am a member of a sports club and is engaged in social and humanitarian activities such as blood donation and this is what drives me to be a regular blood donor.

July Members Meeting On 29 July 2020, we were happy to catch up with our members and aspiring members after several months of confinement due to COVID-19. We also welcomed a new aspiring member Zabeen about who you saw a brief of earlier.

It was an opportunity to reconnect with our members and inform them on the projects in the pipeline.

The Brotherhood of a nation to save a country - The Wakashio Oil Spill On 25 July 2020, a Japanese bulk carrier named Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef. The ship eventually began to leak several tonnes of crude oil leading to the worst environmental disaster in Mauritius. Our island very much dependent on tourism and fishing felt a huge hammer on it.

Hence JCI City Plus (Mauritius) could not stay unmoved by this massive disaster and hence our members joined hands with the other JCI Chapters in Mauritius and local citizens to bring a helping hand to curb the oil spillage.

2020 AMEC Closing Ceremony On 16 August 2020, we were privileged to have our 2020 EVP Asha Auckloo chair the 2020 AMEC Closing ceremony and of course the much awaited awards ceremony!

Our Local Secretary Chrisinta Chavrimootoo made JCI City Plus (Mauritius) shine by picking up the award for the Most Outstanding Member !

Our sincere congratulations also to JCI Curepipe for winning 3 awards namely best Best Global Goals Project (Planting of 2000 aloe plants), Most Outstanding Local President (Karishma Ansaram) and Most Outstanding Local Organisation.

We also had the swearing-in of three new members from JCI City Plus (Mauritius) namely Gooshma Pauhaloo-Kissoondoyal, Lucia Marire and Yan Jouan! We wish them a long and fruitful journey in JCI with more IMPACT to come!

ArtMela 2020 After several months of confinement, the JCI City Plus (Mauritius) with the help of Mauritius Roundtable 9 wanted to create more IMPACT with a new flagship program and hence decided to revive the ArtMela Project.

The event is one where special needs children are given the opportunity to express themselves through various forms of art such as painting, drawing, dancing, singing amongst others with the view to spread the message of 'Peace is Possible' of JCI. Throwback to this wonderful day !

We wish our gratitude to all of sponsors namely Ministry of Arts and Culture, Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Municipal Council of Port-Louis, Airports of Mauritius Limited, Constance Belle Mare Plage, Eagle Brand, Scott & Co Ltd, Phoenix Beverages, Vertico Property Consultants Ltd, Landscope Mauritius, Ajax, Omarjee Aviation and Mr Ken Arian amongst others for making this event possible.

The event was covered by various media.

And the JCI members in action ...

Rise-up Business series There is no doubt that COVID-19 has been leading to the wreckage of a lot of businesses and we felt the need to really give a solution to those various businesses in this time of crisis. In that respect, a webinar entitled "Supercharge your sales and business" was organised on 14 October 2020 with the help by Mr Denken Tan and aspiring member Lincoln Gavyn.

The webinar aimed at unravelling the mysteries behind the marketing strategies to help businesses.

2020 JCI Mauritius Public Speaking Competition On 17 October 2020, JCI Mauritius organised its annual Public Speaking Competition and it was with absolute happiness to learn that our 2020 Local Vice-President I'doumben Venkatakistnen won the competition.

Throwback to this fantastic moment for our chapter !

Extraordinary General Meeting On 21 October 2020, JCI City Plus (Mauritius) organised a Extraordinary General Meeting at Flying Dodo which was also marked by the election of the 2021 Board.

The 2021 Board of Directors elected as from January 2021 is as follows: 2021 JCI City Plus Local President: Ms Chrisinta Chavrimootoo 2021 JCI City Plus Local Secretary: Mr Preshan Kissoondoyal 2021 JCI City Plus Local Treasurer: Mr I'doumben Venkatakistnen 2021 JCI City Plus Vice President [Community Development]: Mrs Gooshma Pauhaloo-Kissoondoyal Local President Elect Chrisinta Chavrimootoo presented 2021 JCI City Plus Motto which is "Rise In Synergy", to remind us that it is important to grow together and building bridges for greater and sustainable impact.

Halloween Barbecue Party At JCI City Plus (Mauritius), we believe in strengthening our team spirit and hence on 31 October 2020, a special Halloween Barbecue Party was organised at Flic en Flac Beach at night ! Simply an unforgettable night that our members and aspiring members relished...

JCI all around the world

The JCI World Congress is the most important meeting on JCI’s annual calendar and this would be hosted in the first week of November. It was with a lot of exuberance that we welcomed this fantastic news on Sunday 1 November 2020 that our 2020 Executive Vice President Asha Auckloo won the award for the 2020 JCI Most Outstanding Executive Vice President.

Congratulations !

The team for Africa and the Middle East was also elected and we wish all the best to our 2021 Executive Vice-President from Mali and the 2021 VicePresident assigned to our region from Tunisia. We look forward to meet you both in Mauritius.

Congratulations to Jeju, Korea in winning the priviledge to host the 2022 World Congress and Mr Rhyubun Kojima from JCI Japan for being elected as the 2021 President !

JCI chose its 2020 Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) award and there are five of them from the AMEC region !

The JCI members around the world are continuing to work hard to fight against COVID-19. JCI Manila installed a vertical garden wall containing mosquito repelling and air purifying plants in its area, an automated motionsensored disinfecting station in the entrance/exit gateways and indoor air purifiers with air quality monitoring system. A smart tablet equipped with a contact tracing app was also handed over by JCI Manila to the City Government.

How to join us?

Drop us an email: secretary.jcicityplus@gmail.com / jaya.mulloo@gmail.com Drop us a message on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jcicityplus