Background

The Rotary Club of Phoenix has a long relationship with the children and staff of the Loïs Lagesse Trust Fund (LLTF). The Club has been unfailingly providing its support to make Christmas special for the children of LLTF, even during Covid-19.

The LLTF approached The Rotary Club of Phoenix in 2022 seeking support and guidance to set up a small garden at a project cost of Rs 50,000.

Following the request, a site visit was carried out and a meeting was held between few Club members and key staff members of the LLTF (also known as Centre Loïs Lagesse).

After assessing the scope, the project was presented to the board by Treasurer Robin Appadoo.  The new scope that was defined, went beyond the initial request received from the LLTF. A Lead Team consisting of Vino Sookloll, Mrinal Khadoo and Robin Appadoo spearheaded the conception, design, fund raising, material sourcing and building of The Sensory Garden. This team worked on the entire project until completion.

The Lead Team with the support of other club members successfully managed to rally a cohort of sponsors and collaborators who oversaw the completion of the “NEW” garden. The final project cost amounted to more than Rs 850,000

Adit Foundation was a major financial contributor to the project.

Objective

The objective is to provide a Safe, Zen and Educative Sensory Garden for the visually impaired children and staff members of the LLTF to enjoy. The garden would form part of the learning path of each child at the LLTF.

Everything has been intelligently thought out and placed to allow young blind and visually impaired children to discover the wonders of gardening and recognize plants through touch or smell, as well as sharpen their other senses. You can discover medicinal and climbing plants, exotic fruits, herbs and spices, wind chimes, the installation of a ‘waterfall’ with pieces of pipes to evoke the soothing sound of streams…

Logistic & budget details

Project Lead: Vino Sookloll, Mrinal Khadoo, Robin Appadoo
Date: Launched on Wednesday 12 April 2023
Venue: Loïs Lagesse Trust Fund, Beau Bassin

Equipment Donated:

1. Net Garden with metal structure
2. Bamboo chimes
3. Plants and Seedlings
4. Rainwater Harvesting System
5. Audio water flow contraption
6. Gardening tools
7. Wall xylophone (manual)

Project Cost

Project Cost = over Rs 850,000