The mission of the Association "Rodrigues entreprendre au Féminin(AREF) " is to set up the development of the Rodriguan woman at the heart of her own business.
The Association was created by Françoise Baptiste, Arlette Collet & Patricia Collet in 1999, following a forum on women as entrepreneures held in Mauritius. The Association to-day regroups about fifty members in different sections of the economy in Rodrigues, among which are Food and Agriculture, Tourism, Apiculture, Craftwork, Commerce and Textile
These women already belong to PME (Petites et Moyennes Enterprises) on a family scale. They got together as women entrepreneures in order to engineer more strength and kindle up a synergy favourable to advancement and development in their enterprises.
As from the start of the Association, the women have been prompted to invent and innovate...
· Competition in craftwork
· Competition in fashion design
· Gala night to promote the local fashion designers
· Courses on administration, banking and positive thinking.
· Expo-vente of local and national products.
PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL FAIRS.
"RODRIGUES AU CAUDAN". 25th to 28th of August 2005.
ITEMS: Cooking with the help of the Labourdonnais Hotel; Craft, Agroalimentaire (Honey, Chilli Conserves, Lemons, Sun-dried octopus etc); Music and Dancing.
A delegation of sixty will come from Rodrigues at this effect, comprising 5 chefs, craftsmen, two folkloric groups, artists, hotel managers, caterers, bed and breakfast owners. They will enjoy many facilities offered by Rodrigues Regional Assembly, the MTPA and Air-Mauritius.
The festival will take place on the Caudan Waterfront from Thursday, the 25th of August to Sunday the 28th.