To develop the very first MECO village where conservation, permaculture, and Mauritian design work in unison to create an example of alternative eco tourism.
Providing accomodation to volunteers who work on projects in conservation, building local communities and education, using the proceeds to reinvest into the projects themselves, thus offsetting their own environmental impacts and creating a true eco cycle.
Economic responsibility
All staff are employed locally and receive a wage relative to the local economy.
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 reduces pollution and provides employment within these small communities. It also provides much needed business to small accommodation providers who normally struggle against the main chain hotels
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. The construction project will need basic tools like buckets and wheels barrows. The community project will need paint brushes and paint as well as new furniture. The conservation project requires plants to be purchased along with picnic benches and signage.
MECO’s website and other marketing materials are produced by Mauritian Companies.
Environmental responsibility
MECO promotes a relatively paperless operation. All our promotional material is accessible on the website, including a booking enquiry page and breakdown of all the projects on offer. Communication with suppliers and clients is done through e-mail/telephone.
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. Volunteers on site at the main conservation area will have access to a water store collected from a natural spring on the land. Solar powered showers are used at the majority of the Tour accommodations, and portable solar showers are taken on overnight camping trips, where water supply is limited and volunteers will be asked to be conservative in their use.
MECO projects are designed for small groups, up to a maximum of 8, to minimise the impacts of the projects on sensitive ecosystems and prevent local communities being overwhelmed.
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.
Local guides/Project leaders are used, who have a thorough understanding of the environmental issues facing Mauritius. Mauritius has yet to develop efficient means of recycling, thus any waste produced by the projects or tours must be biodegradable. Water can be of limited availability; therefore all water consumption should be used efficiently and if possible re-useable.
All transport on projects and on weekend excursions will be provided by MECO, using the companies own vehicles which have been modified to use duel fuel. Using Gas fuelled vehicles reduces the carbon footprint of transport on the island.
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.
During orientation, guests are provided with advice on how they can reduce their environmental impact on the island, through waste reduction and consumption of resources. Volunteers will be requested to take home any toiletries they use to be recycled, Mauritius has currently no recycling centres Volunteers should think carefully about any products bought in Mauritius, being conscious of packaging disposal. All volunteers are invited to plant trees at the main conservation project, to offset the carbon footprint created by their flight to the destination and to help regenerate the country’s native flora.
Social responsibility
Mauritius is a politically stable county. However, it is advised that all volunteers visit the FCO Website for up to date information on the political status and to take head of any advice given.
Upon arrival, volunteers will receive an orientation meeting in which the cultural differences they may experience are explained and discussed. For example, dress code when visiting temples, ways of greeting people and best practice for eating local food.
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.
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.
