Our Story
This is the story of the I61 Foundation - where we came from and where we're going.
Whilst volunteering in the vulnerable communities of the west coast of Mauritius for ten years, Tam Geldenhuys, our founder, forged strong relationships with the NGO’s of this region and developed a firm understanding of the challenges they face and the successes they achieved. One of the key challenges she found was that NGO’s constantly grapple with securing funds for their projects. As the percentage of direct CSR contribution from companies decreased, the more difficult it became for them to source funds from companies.
After spending time with corporate funders, Tam discovered that many funders don’t have the capacity and time to get out into the field and understand the needs of the NGO’s and the communities they serve. These companies want to donate funds to projects, whether they are obligated to through CSR contributions, or just have a heart to support the communities in which they operate. The other factor that companies found time-consuming was the follow up; to ensure funds are spent as requested, write up reports and provide photographs. As Tam spent more time within the community, the more she found corporates, individuals, faith-based organisations and other nonprofits were asking for help.
As Tam spent more time considering how to devise a strategy to straddle the divide between these two needs, she was reminded of the scripture from Isaiah, chapter 61. This passage speaks of the responsibility we have to restore, renew and rebuild communities and people. And so, with the support of five other community-loving people, of varying ages and from different backgrounds, the I61 Foundation was born to bring NGO projects and funders together and support them through the project process. The I61 Foundation Board meets once a month to review funders and projects and to ensure the allocation of funds is in line with the heart of the foundation to restore, renew and rebuild.
To ensure a high level of compliance and accounting, we partner with Oak Mauritius who advise us on all legal and financial matters. This critical partnership ensures the credibility and transparency of the I61 Foundation and we are extremely grateful to Oak Mauritius for their commitment to our organisation.
We are excited to see the collective impact we create as we forge lasting partnerships between NGO’s and funders, and foster a sense of goodwill amongst all stakeholders in Mauritius and further afield – fighting for poverty alleviation, education for all, social justice and to support communities in times of crisis.
A FOUNDATION WITH A MISSION
Giving a Voice to the Voiceless!
The I61 Foundation ensures that effective and sustainable solutions are provided to uplift those oppressed by poverty and social injustice. During times of crisis we facilitate projects that renew and rebuild affected communities. Key to our mission are our transparent partnerships.
The I61 Foundation assists corporate organisations and individuals in allocating funding. We identify NGO projects that fulfill our objectives and match them with funders who have the same focus and passion as we do, ensuring that partnerships are effective with sustainable outcomes through ongoing observation and facilitation of all projects, to completion.
“Bringing hope to broken communities through our mission to restore, renew and rebuild...”
Tam Geldenhuys
A FOUNDATION WITH A MISSION
Giving a Voice to the Voiceless!
The I61 Foundation ensures that effective and sustainable solutions are provided to uplift those oppressed by poverty and social injustice. During times of crisis we facilitate projects that renew and rebuild affected communities. Key to our mission are our transparent partnerships.
The I61 Foundation assists corporate organisations and individuals in allocating funding. We identify NGO projects that fulfill our objectives and match them with funders who have the same focus and passion as we do, ensuring that partnerships are effective with sustainable outcomes through ongoing observation and facilitation of all projects, to completion.
“Bringing hope to broken communities through our mission to restore, renew and rebuild...”
Tam Geldenhuys
Our Board Members
Creating lasting partnerships. Building a sustainable community. Empowering women and children.
Nash Nullatamby
Tam Geldenhuys
Hudson Ekwoge
Collette Maurel
Juanito Bèguinot
Audrey Dumée-Duval
Our Team
Our team is the backbone of our organisation, connecting our partners and driving
the support they require to successfully impact the lives of vulnerable communities.
Administrative
Manager
Amelia Beguinot maintains all the administrative processes within the I61 Foundation and oversees all interaction with our beneficiary partners.
Volunteer Finance Administrator
Lizarn Smith is in constant contact with the registered I61 Foundation funders, ensuring that their details are kept up to date, as well as overseeing all paperwork regarding donations is sent to them timeously.
Volunteer Connect Coordinator
Katrina Butterworth leads our Volunteer Connect, facilitating the connection between our I61 Foundation registered NGO’s seeking assistance with their projects, with individuals and companies looking for a way to support the community.
Systems Support
Wendy Lumsden’s passion for IT processes and corporate governance means that the I61 Foundation and our NGO partners are well supported, and high standards are maintained at every level of our organisation.
A Tribute to a Dear Friend and Founding Member
- Graham Watkins
Thank you Graham, for believing in the I61 Foundation when it was still a dream. We are so grateful for the foundations of integrity, passion, and love you helped us set in place. Always ensuring we made the right decisions, not the easy ones. We will continue to honour you in all we do.
Restore. Renew. Rebuild.
Isaiah 61:1-4
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Source: NIV Bible
