BY BETI PEERUN, 5 march 2010
Etoile d`Esperance is a centre for the treatment and rehabilitation of women with alcohol addiction and other related problems. It was created in 1997 with evening meetings on Mondays then grew to a day care centre. It now offers residential accommodation for fifteen women apart from those who attend as day care and after care clients.
Alcoholism is a disease to which some people seem predisposed. Alcoholics are unable to control their drinking-habits. The alcoholic person is at great risk of other health problems, and it can shorten his/her life by more than 10 years. Alcoholism cannot be cured, but it can be treated, through education, treatment, and self-help support provided by Etoile d’Espérance.
Port Louis – This is the time of year when women’s concerns come to the forefront, on and around International Women’s Day which falls on Monday 8th March. To mark the occasion, today we look into the problem of alcoholism among women, how it affects their lives and their families and the quite remarkable facilities for their rehabilitation which exist at Etoile d’Espérance.
Although there is space for 14 in the beautifully decorated bedrooms, at the moment there are only six women at the centre. When I visit they are sitting in the veranda, looking very comfortable, chatting and listening to music…
« Breaking the wall of silence and shame to give the woman her dignity as a woman, mother and wife »
« The sick woman drinking alone, drinks to forget, to suffer no more, drink to cry before the world she does not like herself and feels that nobody understands her »
This pain heard by the association which is carried by Véronique Unienville was shared with FAS Indian Ocean.
We hope to join our experiences together to provide special attention to women struggling with alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Association étoile d’espérance
Association étoile d’espérance
