MECO

How the minimum criteria of the responsible travel standard was met...

Economic responsibility

• All staff are employed locally, all food is purchased locally, from small independent retailers or markets to ensure money is put directly back into the economy. All local guides used during excursions hold a Tourist Guide Permit.
• All accommodation is provided at small, family run guest houses or hotels. When on project location, volunteers will stay at Government accredited Camp Sites, or onsite National Park lodges. The carefully selected accommodations are run by locals within the community rather than commuting workers which provides much needed business to small accommodation providers.
• 30% of the cost of placing volunteers in projects in Mauritius is put directly back into the projects to ensure its continuity. Equipment and materials will be bought for each project.

Environmental responsibility

• MECO volunteers are made aware of the scarce water supplies on the island, especially during the drier winter months. Mauritian tap water is safe to drink and volunteers are encouraged to refill water bottles to reduce waste.
• MECO projects are designed to directly support local conservation efforts. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work within the National Park to aid the clearing of non native scrub and are encouraged to donate native flora from nurseries to the conservation efforts.
• Small, local run hotels and guest house are used to minimise negative environmental impact. These accommodations use solar energy to power and heat showers, they are self catering as to minimise food waste and allows MECO to cook and prepare food which we purchase food at markets hence no packaging.

Social responsibility

• MECO’s community and construction projects directly benefit the host community. In both projects assessment to determine the area most in need. In our Community project, a partnership is formed with Non Government Organisations (NGO’s) that are already established, who provide the opportunity for volunteers to support to the elderly, special needs and orphaned children.
• In the construction project the Social Trust, funded by the Government provides refurbishment material to make homes safer. There is still a large community living in sub-standard houses made of corrugated sheets with little or no electricity and basic water supply. Volunteers will provide the much needed man power to try to increase the capacity of this project, currently at 25 houses per year.
• Although Mauritius is an English speaking country, there are several languages spoken. Volunteers are advised to learn the fundamentals of French (the base of the majority of local languages) in order to communicate more successfully with locals from more remote parts of the island.