AfrAsia Bank considers that Corporate Responsibility towards its stakeholders, the environment and society is a key factor determining its long-term success. While being guided by our key values, our approach is founded on a broad understanding of the concept of corporate citizenship, which encompasses supporting innovating and sustainable projects for the society and our environment at large.
Since the launch of our CSR program, the Bank has been supporting a number of humanitarian and charitable organizations and projects in Mauritius mainly focused on sustainable solutions for children welfare and environment protection. In addition, we are highly encouraging our staff to undertake voluntary work to make a direct social impact. These CSR projects are classified into:
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Those financed by the Bank |
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Those involving staff members' contribution, not necessarily in monetary terms but through their time, or donations |
AfrAsia is moreover working closely with The Groupe Mon Loisir (GML), our main shareholder, as a group initiative to identify projects where the Bank can take a lead thus maintaining our innovative approach.
Since the launch of our CSR Program, the Bank has successfully taken the following initiatives:-
Children Welfare
Bois Marchand is a suburb mostly inhabited by squatters living in extreme poverty. They do not have any kind of support except from Fondation Joseph Lagesse (CSR arm of GML) which has set up a day care centre for the children, with the following objectives:
- Providing them with a pedagogical environment
- Get them prepared for pre-primary / primary schools
For our first visit with a group of staff members, we were pleased to bring clothes, toys, puzzles, books and food but most importantly, our time and consideration for these children. This was followed by a medical checkup which was arranged for each child with the help of doctors from the Ministry of Health.
In the future we plan to organise several outings with these children so as to create a bond and relationship while helping them discover the world.
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This unique agricultural project in Mauritius consisted of providing necessary infrastructure, the basic raw materials and other amenities to a bare plot of Land at Calebasses for the rearing of livestock and cultivation of vegetables.
The self-managed farm is initiated and run by teenagers who did not succeed their Certificate of Primary Education exams. They will receive the necessary training by having alternate school weeks. 60% of the products will be given to the students and 40% will be sold to the persons in the vicinity from which the proceeds will be used to meet their running expenses such as such as electricity, water, raw materials, etc.
The Mixed farm Project has for objectives to:-
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Contribute to the development of the young generation |
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Help to make youngsters independent instead of just giving them financial help |
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Provide training and hands on practice for better results |
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Enhance awareness of what can be easily produced by oneself for own and family consumption, thus encouraging them to copy the same initiatives at their place |
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Alleviate poverty by making those youngsters help their families in turn and sharing their knowledge. One third of the population surrounding the regions of Calebasses, Arsenal, Baie du Tombeau, Ste Croix, Bois Marchand and Terre Rouge live in poverty and the pass rate at primary education level for young children is very low. |
In line with our strategy to support innovative and sustainable projects, we were proud to be associated with this unique project. AfrAsia Bank's staff involvement was again appreciated with a hands-on approach on a Sunday morning by helping to clean the land and prepare the soil before any plantation could be done. It was not only about financing this unique initiative but also to get directly involved, that's what we call "can-do attitude".
Staffs of the Bank made a presentation on the importance of a savings culture and money management to children of the Soonee Surthee Government School. This initiative was part of the Mauritius Banker's Association CSR contribution.
Environment Protection
AfrAsia also aims to make a valuable contribution toward environmental protection through the efficient use of its resources, the transfer of knowledge to its staff and the public, and the creation of products and client services with a focus on environmental themes and sustainability.
This resulted in a list of recommended actions that each staff is now following to prevent exaggerated use of paper, electricity and water; the separation of recyclable garbage and the proposal to clients to have their bank statements sent by email instead of printed copies.
