NEWS

ASIA AWARD Winner – October 2021

I am extremely honored to be receiving the “EMERGING SOCIAL WORKER AWARD'' presented by the ASIA Award powered by the RULA Award. I am at a loss of words for thanking the Asia Awards Jury Panel upon my selection as winner. I am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have received for my work, because I am very sure that every other nominee for this award was as capable, if not more, of winning this award.

I have faced several challenges on my way here, but each one of them has only strengthened me to make me the person I am today; a thorough professional who knows exactly what he wants; someone who sets her eyes on a goal and does not lose sight of it, unless it is achieved. Winning this award would not have been possible without the inspiration I have received from my seniors and my friends, for whom I have the deepest respect, and from whom I have derived the strength to challenge myself and perform better at each stage. I sincerely thank ASIA AWARD and RULA Award and also for providing me a stage where I can proudly hold up this award as a mark of my achievement. I also promise to only get better at my work so that I can continue in my quest of building sustainable communities.

BIOGRAPHY YUGESH BUNDHOO

Mr. Yugesh Bundhoo, a Prison Officer by profession, is a philanthropist currently bringing innovations and a new aspect in the Mauritian Society as well as the Commonwealth Countries. Optimist, serious, responsible, cheerleader, full of energy and an effective communicator seem to be the appropriate words to describe this amazing personality. 

Inspired by the leader of the air, the eagle [leadership concept], he has always been a good observer and attentive to what is happening around and evaluates the possible solutions as per the analysis. During his schooling years at SSS Terre Rouge, he served twice as Class Leader and has always volunteered to engage in extracurricular activities. 

Global Peace Chain and Nomination as Country Director 

Nominated in December 2018 to be Global Peace Ambassador representing Mauritius on National and International Platform, Yugesh states that one simple way to define peace is living without violence (physically, mentally, spiritually, or any other way) and living in a way that embraces respect and tolerance. This is both out in the world and within each person: 

• Outwardly: living in peace is a way of life in which we respect and love each other in spite of our cultural, religious, and political differences.
• Inwardly, each of us needs to cultivate peace. This means understanding and overcoming fear, anger, intolerance, and lack of social skills that causes violence. For in continuing to ignore the rage within, the storm outside will never subside.

As Global Peace Ambassador, each and every action of his encompasses the idea of the sustained well-being of all people, especially the most vulnerable. In collaboration with families, communities, and partners, he ensures that children/youngsters and elderly people enjoy good health, and engross in a lifelong learning process, experience the warm bath theory and earn respect from their surroundings. He envisions a prosperous society for the new generation by focusing on Peace, Education, Health and Empowerment.  As Ambassador, his main responsibility is to cultivate the culture of tolerance, inclusivity & social peace building both on National and International Platform in educational institutions, interactive sessions with youth & civil society, community stakeholders, policy makers, heads of government, diplomats, influential community groups, religious scholars and community based organization.  Yugesh was fully funded to attend the Global Peace Summit as Youth Panelist for dialogue held at the University of Johannesburg on 24 and 25 April 2019. He was awarded with BEST GLOBAL PEACE AMBASSADOR WORLDWIDE at the Summit. With regards to his motivation and determination, he was appointed as Country Director for Global Peace Chain in January 2020 and is currently serving in the same position. 

SOCIAL WORK/ACTIVITIES

AIYVA – Alliance of Interconnected Young Volunteers Association. Yugesh is the President and Founder of the AIYVA. AIYVA Members stand hand in hand as battlements to eradicate social vices for a better tomorrow and works towards the under mentioned objectives:

a.      to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies;

b.     to cater for the welfare of the poor;

c.      to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all Mauritians;

d.     to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning;

e.      to implement project that reduce inequality and promote Human Rights approach within and among countries;

Yugesh states that for any country to succeed it needs educated, well informed and responsible leaders and the best leaders are the youths. The youth have to correct the mistakes and shortcomings of the previous leaders and completely change the outlook of that particular society. Youth have to do away with vices like corruption, self-centered and greed in leadership so as the citizens realize development, gender equity and equal allocation of resources. Since the youth hold an important part of our society's future, they need to be educated, guided, encouraged, advised and mentored.

Inspired by the saying: “Leaders don’t create followers- Leaders create more Leaders' ', Yugesh and his team are providing platforms where adolescents/teens can build their character, self-esteem and confidence in a positive environment through education/creativity, sports/health, leadership and mentorship. They are reaching many low income families and youth alike [underdeveloped areas]; instilling in them that they do not have to fall into the negativity that surrounds them on a daily basis. We show youth that they can make good choices through positive encounters with inspiring adults that will lead them to live out successful lives.

The created youth platforms comprises Leadership Development Programme. The leadership program encompasses the grooming of the next generation as an act of Leadership and building sustainable communities. The main focus is based upon the training and development of the young Mauritians, promoting patriotism, and to encourage them to engage in critical thinking and to take action in their personal lives, in groups and in society. After workshops, participants/members are engaged in the different social projects which are derived from the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by world leaders. 

The world's oldest sages believed and still believe that an empty mind is a devil's workshop, similarly if youngsters are not given enough activities to help in expressing themselves, it is a glaring fact that most of them will end in the precipice of ignorance and social vices! AIYVA also registered as a Youth Club with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, regularly organized different activities like playstation tournament, domino tournament, carom, football, petang, etc… to keep those youth busy and thus staying away from social vices. 

Projects done:

• Plantation of Endemic Trees
• Drug Campaign
• March Pacific on Road Safety
• Free computer literacy programme for all
• Self Defense Classes
• First Aid Training 
• Fire Combat Training
• Promoting Sport Activities compared to Indoor Playstation/Pc Games
• World Disability Day
• Donation of School Materials to Needy Persons
• Donation of Foods to victims of flash floods, COVID-19, cyclone, etc…..
• Working on Ecosystem by introducing the Project “Sustainable Household Waste Management Project” which won an award at the National Level 
• Innovative Backyard Gardening – Project “Smart Agro ecology Synergy” – Home Gardening project for self-sufficiency using technology taking into consideration our ecosystem. 

Note: More than 80 projects were completed successfully under the leadership of Yugesh. 

Who have been your mentors:

·       Mr. Jean Bruneau – Former Commissioner  of Prisons and Former Deputy Commissioner of Police

Source of Inspiration: 

·       Mr. Barrack Obama, Former US President – for the way he leads and for his diplomacy