Food Security Madagascar Project #54882

Recovery & Resilience

by SEED Madagascar

Project Report | Mar 16, 2023
SEED's Long-Term Commitment

By Ioannis Alexandrou | Programmes and Office Assistant

Recognising that Madagascar remains one of the poorest countries on Earth whilst supporting a natural and living environment that has a worldwide significance, SEED has remained committed for over 20 years to promoting sustainable livelihoods solutions through a bottom-up collaborative model.

Staffed by a talented multidisciplinary team, SEED has four programmatic objectives: 1) to advance education amongst the inhabitants of Madagascar, 2) to relieve poverty, 3) to promote sustainable development for the benefit of the public, and 4) to develop the capacity of disadvantaged communities in such a way that they are better able to identify, and meet, their needs.

From having a permanent base in the country, SEED has accumulated a wealth of experience in identifying needs and delivering projects to local communities. This is valued not only by those communities, but also others who from time to time seek to do like-minded work in Madagascar. SEED is now planning the next step in terms of strategy: By utilizing this experience and expertise, the organisation is turning towards Recovery & Resilience (R&R).

While normal delivery of our projects will continue, we are starting to progressively transition towards developing long-term, sustainable strategies by building the capacity of local communities. ‘Community capacity’ refers to the range of resources and knowledge people have to develop, implement, and sustain their own solutions to their everyday needs.

In this way, SEED aspires not only to promote sustainable development in some of the most vulnerable regions in Madagascar, but also to give ownership to local communities by providing them with the essential education and know-how with the prospect of becoming self-sufficient in the future. With this new strategy, SEED will continue to ‘put the last first’, giving voice to the long-suffering people of southeast Madagascar.

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Nov 17, 2022
Confidence, Contraceptives, and Cultivation

By Nancy Priede | Programmes and Office Assistant

Weavers listening to Paula during a workshop

Previously, We updated you on the increasing family planning services of the Emergency Food Distribution and the 2,300 women and girls making use of these. These services ensure families in the community can build the lives they envision without being held back by the worries or barriers of poor health and we have seen the effects of these services continue to show. There has been a heightened use of contraceptives and antenatal care and SEED has added plans to go even further with health workers receiving maternal and child health training this month!

Similar to health, education is vital to building resilient communities and SEED understands the importance of a safe learning environment. Cycle Emnati caused the team to recently make repairs on the damaged roof of a primary school and has made the proper alterations to our building design which will protect against the increasing impacts of extreme weather events and climate change in Madagascar. Additionally, we are excited to announce a new primary school building construction project in Beraketa that will create a healthy learning environment for 129 students in 2023! Our other projects are also displaying the importance of education in a resilient community: over 80 women at the Mahampy Weavers’ Cooperative exemplified enthusiasm attending reading and writing workshops held by Project Coordinator Paula (pictured). They have also improved their confidence, knowledge, and skills in their departmental roles in time for the busy holiday season.

Donations toward recovery and resilience have empowered women in the community to open up the conversation on family planning and health, ensured children have the opportunity to learn safely, and improved the confidence and literary skills of workers. SEED thanks you for being a part of uplifting and strengthening the communities of Anosy and we look forward to updating you on how our other projects are doing the same.

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Jul 21, 2022
The Impact of Family Planning Services

By Nancy Priede | Programmes and Office Assistant

A mother brings her child to the health centre

In the commune of Ankariera, SEED met Mbola, a father of six, with a seventh child on the way. Mbola’s 4-year-old daughter was diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition and treated through SEED’s Emergency Food Distribution Project. During treatment, Mbola learned about the family planning services supported by Recovery & Resilience. Mbola, who has seen the stress that multiple births in quick succession have put on his wife and family, has become an advocate for family planning- a vital instrument that enables women and girls to make informed decisions about if and when to have children.

Through SEED’s Emergency Food Distribution Programme, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and local health centres, SEED has promoted healthy relationships between health centres and the communities they serve, while building the capacity of 190 health workers to provide accurate information. These workers are conducting home visits with families like Mbola’s to increase awareness of, and access to, family planning services in a culture where family planning is uncommon.

Upon making use of the family planning services, Mbola and his wife have gained a better understanding of the services offered by their community health centre and have decided to use contraception for the first time following the birth of their seventh child. “I have made significant progress in my life, which is in stark contrast to our culture, but I had to decide to take care of my wife and children because I love them, and I will bring my family to go to the community health centre to have better health services.” states Mbola. Upon the completion of Round III in the North, health workers have officially referred over 2,300 women and girls to access family planning! Although, we are not done there.

Looking forward, the Food Distribution Programme is placing an increased focus on addressing the root causes of hunger and promoting community resilience through health resource capacity building, enabling families to make decisions just like Mbola’s long after the program implementation.

Mbola and one of his daughters

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