“Letters are emotion on the page. Letters are a gift. When you write to someone, and they write back, you establish a bond. It validates both of you.”
[To Obama, A People’s History, Jeanne Marie Laskas, Bloomsbury, 2018]
Pendant son temps à la Maison Blanche, le Président Obama recevait du courrier et se faisait un devoir de lire 10 lettres chaque jour, une manière pour lui de rester en contact avec le public américain. Pendant que le pays s’apprête à accueillir le Premier ministre indien Narendra Modi comme invité d’honneur, très proche des jeunes écoliers indiens qui lui adressent souvent des lettres à travers un portail dédié à recueillir les idées des citoyens, de jeunes écoliers mauriciens écrivent une lettre au Premier ministre de la République de Maurice, le Dr Navin Ramgoolam dans le cadre des 57 ans de l’indépendance et des 33 ans d’accession en tant que République pour lui faire part de leurs rêves, de leurs attentes et de leurs espoirs pour leur école et leur pays aspirant à un lendemain meilleur.
Kavinien Karupudayyan, Enseignant
Enn rev pou mo pei
Ser Premie Minis,
Mo anvi ki nou aret fer polision lor nou ti lil parski nou pei pou vinn malprop avek salte ki dimounn zete partou lor sime. Mo ousi anvi ki nou Morisien nou aret gaspiy delo. Anou viv ansam kouma ser ek frer dan nou ti pei ranpli ek tou kouler. Avek mo remersiman sinser, Raphaël Pel, (9 an)
A dream for my country
Dear Prime Minister,
I have a wish that Mauritius becomes a plastic free island, free from pollution. Recently I have been to Rodrigues Island where I have noticed an incredible amount of cleanliness. There was no plastic bottles and cans dumped everywhere. The law in Mauritius should be reviewed for persons throwing non-biodegradable items in the environment. Hope you will take my wish into consideration. Shravya Pooroosutton (9 years old)
For a brighter tomorrow
Dear PM,
I would like to share my dream for the future with you and I believe that with hard work, it will be very bright.
Although I am still young and my height is only 1m and 20 cms, I have big dreams. I want to become a doctor when I grow up to help people who are sick. I am determined to work hard to achieve this goal.
I know that with the right education and opportunities and with the support of my teachers and my parents, I will succeed.
Thank you for your time and I hope you will continue to support the education and well being of young people like me as we work towards a brighter future.Dhiveerika Rama, (10 years old)
Development in Mauritius
Dear Honorable PM,
I am a proud young citizen of Mauritius. As we celebrate our Independence Day, I would like to share my thoughts and dreams about the development of our beautiful country.
Mauritius has grown so much over the years and I am happy to see new roads, buildings and schools. However, I also dream of a future where we take even better care of our environment, plant more trees and keep our beaches clean.
I hope that all children, no matter where they live be it in villages or in towns, will get equal access to good education.
Thank you for leading our country. I hope my letter brings a small voice to the big dreams of many children in Mauritius.
Wishing you a Happy Independence Day!
Keylia Amavi, (9 years old)
A Proud Young Mauritian
Better School Infrastructure
Dear Dr Ramgoolam,
I am writing to you to express my thoughts about my school. I want you to provide us with better infrastructure such as chairs, tables so that we can have a better learning environment. Also, we are facing a major problem currently, which is a lack of water due to drought. To make up for the shortage of water in my school, I want you to install more rainwater collection tanks, which can be used to water plants and to clean classrooms. As you are well aware, the number of vehicles keeps on increasing every year in Mauritius. The introduction of a bicycle lane can go a long way to do reduce traffic jam. By cycling to school, we will also keep ourselves fit and healthy. Thank you PM.
Kashvi Ramchurn, (11 years old)
Improving Schools
Dear Honorable PM,
Trust that this letter reaches you well as we are celebrating the 57th anniversary of our beloved country. I take this opportunity given to me to seek your helping hand regarding some improvements needed in our schools:
- a) Installation of Solar panels to power air conditioners in all classrooms so that children can learn comfortably during summer.
- b) Access to technological facilities.
- c) Setting up of a school canteen where healthy food is served.
- d) Creating a good recreational area with latest equipment.
Praying that God gives you strength and wisdom, to lead our country to the best of your capacities.Joshua Chretien, (12 years old)
Protect our Flora and Fauna
Dear Mr PM,
I love my island. It is such a peaceful place to live in.
Since some years now, Mauritius has become a developed country. Many concrete buildings, roads and factories were made. Unfortunately not much has been done concerning environmental issues. I would like you to put more emphasis on that in order to preserve and conserve our fauna and flora for future generations to live peacefully and happily under nature’s umbrella. You stood up and stopped the valley of Ferney from turning into a concrete forest in 2005. You rightfully said that the “value of a tree can’t be expressed in rupees”. Keep standing up for our environment, Prime Minister.Amelia Eva Chady, (11 years old)
Let us cycle!
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to you to express my disgust at the number of vehicles, which are polluting the environment with their dark smoke. Also, every day when I go to school, there is so much traffic and as such I get late. So I would urge you to come up to create bicycle lanes so that I can cycle to school with my friends and teachers.
Recently, the CEB has requested the public to save energy. I am asking you to please consider installing solar panels in our school so that we can generate our school electricity and be autonomous.Zubayr Dowlut, (11 years old)
A Safer Mauritius
Dear Honourable Prime Minister,
I know you care a lot about the children of our country, and I know that you can make a difference in our lives. Every child deserve to have food, a safe place to live in, and to feel loved and protected. Unfortunately, many children in Mauritius lack these. Some children are even hurt by people who should love them. This makes me very sad.
It would be wonderful if you could ensure that each and every child of the Republic of Mauritius has enough food and a safe roof under his/her head.
I believe that with your help we can build a safer Mauritius.Mevee Veerapin, (9 years old)
Same right for All
Dear Prime Minister,
Nowadays we are facing a growing number of issues of racism and bullying at school. It should not matter who we are, where we live, what family we are part of, we should all be treated with kindness, respect and have the same opportunities.
Slow learners and learners with disabilities should be provided with more assistance. Their class teachers and classmates should do their best in order to make them feel loved and integrated.
I also believe that more social activities must be organised for the youth to disconnect with the digital world and reconnect with people.
Finally, I think that awareness programs about deforestation and planting of plants should be our priority.
I really hope that we can get a big help from you, Mr Prime Minister.
Stan Lebon, (9 years old)
Plastic Free Island
Dear Prime Minister,
Pollution is a big problem in Mauritius. There are too much plastic wastes hurting people, animals and fish. The fish eat small plastic wastes and die. As such, fishermen lose money and their livelihood. Please pass on stricter laws to stop these plastic wastes and to make our island “Une île Maurice Durable.”Veer Arjun Singh Hurbissoon, (8 years old)
Putting Nature First
Dear PM,
I am writing this letter to share with you some ways on how we can improve our nature.
The first idea I would suggest is that we choose reusable things and try to recycle properly. Secondly, fewer chemicals should be used as it affects our planet and its plants. It also causes health issues. Another idea is the use of bicycle or walking to cover a short distance so as to reduce air pollution and the release of toxic gases.
Planting more trees will also help as it can be a habitat for animals and also we will be able to breathe cleaner air. Using these options can help us live in a less polluted environment.Andran Mooroogen, (9 years old)
A dream for my Country
Dear Prime Minister,
Mauritius is my motherland and I dream of it being clean, green and peaceful. I pray for a country where every Mauritian child goes to school and gets a good education. People recycle waste, plant trees and protect Mother Nature. There is no fighting and everyone live safely. I also dream of a Mauritius where technology is used to help people and nature. We, Children play a big role in keeping our surrounding clean. My dream for my country is a land of love and happiness. Please help me make it come true, Prime Minister.
Shahida Koodaruth: (9 years old)
