PROJECT-SUPPORT MADAGASCAR

CHANGING association, Luzern, Schweiz

Country / Place

Madagaskar, Ambohidratrimo,

Madagascar is the second largest island nation in the world in terms of area, and is located off the east coast of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean. Madagascar became the third country to gain independence in the "African Year" in June 1960. Antananarivo is the capital and, with 1.5 million inhabitants, by far the largest city in the country. The project site Ambohidratrimo is a town in the Analamanga region in the central highlands of Madagascar, 15 km from Antananarivo.

General

The CHANGING association is responsible for different tasks for the children's charity Akany Avoko in Madagascar; such as project planning, controls, fundraising and marketing. Some of the team members live at the project site and are therefore closely connected to the day-to-day activities of the children's villages.

Beneficiaries

Since 1964, Akany Avoko's goal has been to provide a safe home and quality education to young people in need. Children and adolescents, who are either homeless or who have been victims of abuse or whose families are experiencing great difficulties, are taken in. With targeted solutions, the vicious circle of poverty is broken, and the young people are supported in their development into independent and responsible adults. Support is given to children at the Akany Avoko centre or to those who are no longer at risk and are back living with their families. However, as their parents are often struggling with financial problems, they continue to receive support.

Project-support

As a result of the health crisis, the children's village is caring for far more babies, children and adolescents than their intake capacity allows for. Various protective measures have been taken against the Covid-19 virus and as of December 2021, no child or staff member at the Akany Avoko centre has been affected by the virus. Children are enrolled in school from the age of three. The centre’s preschool and Ny Avoko elementary school are officially recognised and official state school exams are taken. Despite the closure of the schools, the students have been able to continue their education and have achieved good results in the official exams. As recently more and more children are admitted who have been victims of violence, it was necessary to hire a psychologist. All this brings very high costs, which are not covered by the state.