VIHASA Africa Mauritius Outreach and Capacity-Building Programme

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7–21 July Report by Dr. Raksha Balbadhur

In July, VIHASA Africa had the privilege of leading an extensive programme of education, leadership engagement, and capacity building across Mauritius upon invitation from the Brahma Kumaris Mauritius. Over a two-week period, we engaged healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, therapists, dentists), police officers, fire brigade and emergency services, educators, prison officers, community leaders, government representatives, and the general public through lectures, workshops, interviews, and professional training. The programme focused on promoting compassionate, values-based care, strengthening resilience, addressing stress and burnout, and advancing palliative care across multiple sectors.

The visit demonstrated the growing recognition of the importance of caring for caregivers and has established valuable partnerships that will support future collaboration between VIHASA Africa, Brahma Kumaris Mauritius and key institutions in Mauritius.

7 July – National Media Engagement

The programme commenced with a comprehensive one-hour national radio and social media podcast interview with Meling Balloo on the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. The discussion explored the growing challenges of stress, burnout, compassionate care, resilience, and palliative care, while highlighting practical approaches to supporting healthcare professionals and communities. The national broadcast provided an important platform for raising awareness of these critical issues across Mauritius.

8 July – Healthcare and Emergency Services

Three lectures were delivered at the Mauritius Institute of Health to approximately 50 members of the Fire Brigade and 30 medical practitioners. Sessions focused on recognising stress and burnout, building resilience, and integrating compassionate palliative care into clinical practice.

A productive meeting was also held with Dr. Ramburn, Head of the Mauritius Institute of Health. The discussions opened promising opportunities for future collaboration and training programmes between VIHASA Africa and the Institute.

Later that evening, a further lecture on stress and burnout was presented at the University of Mauritius to approximately 50 doctors, including many specialists from across the island, where more invaluable, yet easy and pragmatic strategies on personal well-being and self-care were shared to build up resilience to adapt, recover and grow through adversity, thus enhancing patient care.The enthusiastic participation reflected the increasing need for professional wellbeing initiatives within the medical community.

9 July – Supporting Frontline Professionals

Three additional lectures were conducted for approximately 50 police officers and 30 dentists. Discussions centred on occupational stress, burnout, grief, and the importance of self-care while serving communities under increasingly demanding circumstances. Participants openly shared the emotional challenges associated with their professions and welcomed practical tools for resilience and emotional wellbeing.They participated enthusiastically throughout the whole workshop, expressing themselves fully. Police Officers showed their appreciation and gratitude through a standing ovation at the end of the session. “The tip on taking pauses in between to be present in the moment is indeed very recharging and relaxing,” affirmed a dentist while thanking the Palliative Care Specialist.

10–12 July – Three-Day VIHASA Africa Training Programme

The highlight of the visit was the intensive three-day VIHASA Africa training programme attended by 58 participants representing a wide range of professional backgrounds. The programme explored values-based healthcare, compassionate leadership, communication, emotional resilience, spirituality in care, reflective practice, and creating cultures of care within organisations.

Participants demonstrated exceptional engagement throughout the training and expressed a strong commitment to implementing the principles within their respective workplaces and communities.

The training was also highlighted in the new print media of Mauritius, emphasizing the need for Care for the Carer initiatives in Mauritius - appreciating that a training was conducted on the island to support service provider wellbeing. 

13 July – Mind Body Medicine

A public lecture on Mind Body Medicine was presented at Inner Space, Port Louis, attracting approximately 60 participants. The session explored the relationship between physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, providing practical strategies for maintaining balance in everyday life.

15 July – National Nursing Council Workshop

A three-hour interactive workshop was facilitated for approximately 170 nurses from across Mauritius at the Nursing Council in Curepipe.

Representing diverse nursing disciplines and faith traditions, participants actively engaged in discussions on stress management, resilience, compassionate care, and the use of practical spiritual tools within healthcare settings. The highly interactive format was particularly appreciated.

The Registrar and Chairperson of the Nursing Council expressed strong support for future collaboration with VIHASA Africa and welcomed additional educational programmes for the nursing profession.

16 July – Healing from the Heart

The morning included teaching activities followed by a visit to Ganga Talao, one of Mauritius' most significant pilgrimage sites, providing valuable insight into the country's rich spiritual heritage.

In the evening, a public lecture entitled Healing from the Heart was presented in Quatre Bornes, attended by approximately 80 participants. The session focused on emotional healing, compassion, hope, and cultivating resilience through values-based living.

17 July – Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

An interactive interview and discussion with Roshan at the University of Mauritius' Inner Space Centre in Ébène explored the theme, Can a Healthy Body Really Create a Happy Mind?

Approximately 70 participants attended the session, which examined the close relationship between physical health, emotional wellbeing, resilience, and purposeful living.

18 July – Creating Cultures of Care

The morning began with a three-hour Health Day programme for approximately 90 women of the Arya Samaj in Port Louis. Participants from diverse backgrounds explored stress management, purpose, resilience, wellbeing, and practical approaches to maintaining personal health while supporting others.

Later that afternoon, a further lecture was delivered at The Academy on Creating a Culture of Care and Values-Based Practice. Approximately 80 professionals attended this interactive session, which emphasised compassionate leadership, organisational values, professional wellbeing, and fostering psychologically safe workplaces.

The Academy provided an inspiring learning environment, combining modern conference facilities with natural surroundings that encourage reflection and personal growth. During the visit, opportunities were also taken to visit a local crater and a palliative care facility in Curepipe, enriching understanding of the healthcare landscape in Mauritius.

20 July – Government Engagement and Graduation Ceremony

Meetings were held with an advisor to the Prime Minister's Office to explore future opportunities for collaboration in strengthening wellbeing and compassionate leadership initiatives within Mauritius.

Later that day, participants of the three-day VIHASA Africa training programme were honoured during a prestigious certificate ceremony attended by the Minister of Health and Wellness, the Deputy Mayor of Port Louis, and the World Health Organization Representative for Mauritius from Senegal. The ceremony celebrated participants' commitment to promoting values-based, compassionate care within their organisations and communities.

21 July – Supporting Correctional Services

Although originally planned as a day of rest, the programme concluded with a workshop for approximately 70 prison officers, organised through the Prime Minister's Office.

The session focused on stress management, resilience, emotional wellbeing, and caring for those working in highly demanding correctional environments. Participants expressed appreciation for the practical strategies and supportive discussions requesting an additional hour of workshop, reinforcing the importance of extending wellbeing initiatives beyond traditional healthcare settings.

Overall Impact

The Mauritius outreach programme reached more than 1,000 participants through national television, professional lectures, public talks, intensive training, and government engagement.

Healthcare professionals, emergency service personnel, police officers, prison officers, nurses, dentists, educators, community organisations, and government representatives all participated in discussions aimed at strengthening resilience, reducing burnout, promoting compassionate leadership, and embedding values-based care across sectors.

Importantly, the visit established new strategic relationships with the Mauritius Institute of Health, the Nursing Council, the University of Mauritius, government stakeholders, and other national organisations, creating significant opportunities for future collaboration and the continued expansion of VIHASA Africa's mission to nurture compassionate, resilient, and values-driven individuals and organisations across Africa and beyond.