Ex-Street Kids Embark on Teaching Career

These two young men were abandoned on the street at the ages of three and five and were brought by the police to Money for Madagascar’s partner, Pasteure Helivao.  Helivao is a remarkable woman with a heart so big that she will always find a way to overcome even the most challenging of situations that she comes across.  She took them in to her street kids' project in Isotry and supported them through primary and secondary education. Both boys passed their Baccalaureate in 2009 and then MfM funded them to do teacher training in Antananarivo.  After successfully graduating from university in 2012 they are just about to start their second year of teaching experience.  If all goes well, in 2014 they are hoping to go on to do Masters’ degrees in education. This will equip them to fulfill their dreams of teaching in secondary schools.

In Madagascar about 40% of the population is illiterate. Put another way an average adult has only completed 4.4 years of school education. These young men know what it is like to have a tough start in life. But they have proven that with a little timely care ones fortunes can be totally transformed. Having narrowly escaped a life condemned to ignorance and desperate struggle these young men are resolved to share the wonders of education through a vocation in teaching. We wish them every success.

MfM educates hundreds of street kids every year

Way Out of Sex Trap

Today AllAfrica.com described how thousands of Malagasy girls are turning to sex-work to survive, with as many as 1 in 7 of the population working in the sex industry in the port town of Toamasina.

MfM runs training programmes for teenaged girls to give them an alternative to sex-work. Here girls receive food, medical care, academic education and vocational training.

 Our next big drive is to help girls to set up their own micro-entreprise so they can earn a decent living. It cost £50-£100 to set a girl up with the equipment she needs to run a business like renting solar lights, hairdressing, dressmaking, selling food, or renting out a phone. 

This skilled sewing student was awarded a machine to start a dress-making business with her family.

This week we were delighted to hear that MfM supporter Andy Whitfield was celebrating a Big Birthday. We were even more thrilled when he announced that he would like people to make donations to MfM in lieu of birthday presents! This wonderful gesture has raised enough money to fund new businesses for five destitute teenaged girls. What a brilliant birthday legacy!

Thank you!

If you missed the story about Andy's choir raising their voices for Akany Avoko scroll down to the post about 'Unsung Heroes'.

To learn more about the struggles of teenaged girls in Madagascar follow the link
  Sex for Survival

Cutting Edge News..

Sorry the Blog has been so quiet! If you’ve been wondering where we’ve been, the short answer in  - Madagascar!

I have just finished a fascinating month of visiting MfM projects across the Red Island . With the excited chatter of successes , frustrations and future plans still buzzing in my ears, I’m delighted to take time to pause and share the latest news with you. First up this week, the Tana street girls who will  blow you away.

Madagascar is ranked as one of the worst countries in the world for child poverty. For hundreds of children sleeping in the streets and slums of the capital, daily life is a harsh struggle for survival. For over a decade MfM has funded community centres like Centre Fihavanana, which offer food, safety and an education to hundreds of Tana’s destitute children.

Sister Annamma brings new hope to street kids

When I visited Sister Annamma in April I was touched to hear her describe her recent efforts to save one homeless family…

 “Homeless people are surprised that I come to the rubbish dump to talk with them. Life is so hard for people here now.” Sister Annamma recounted.

Striving to protect vulnerable girls

 “For months I have been talking to an alcoholic couple who sleep under a bridge. I have been very afraid for their young daughters who are so vulnerable, especially at night. I couldn't sleep at night thinking about what might happen to them. At last I have found an orphanage that will look after the girls until the parents can offer them a safe home. I am so relieved. Perhaps these girls will be saved. Already the parents are making an effort to sober up. Of course it is not easy. But we must not despair. Even if we can lift a few people out of misery it is worth it!” Concluded Sister Annamma.

 Not every child can be rescued and this can weigh heavily on your heart. But after sharing some of her sadness and frustrations the radiant smile returned to Sister Annamma’s face as she lead me enthusiastically to meet her students.

Destitute girls delight in the chance to study

 In October MfM was happy to sponsor the launch of a new training programme for vulnerable teenaged girls. So it was a delight for me to meet them and witness their enthusiasm. In addition to academic studies, catering and Information Technology, the girls have just begun a new course in hairdressing.

From the fringes of society

These girls will blow you away!

 Before coming to Centre Fihavanana these girls wandered the streets in search of food or money. Now they are delighted to have the chance to study and learn vocational skills like hairdressing. Each year at least 20 students should be ready for employment. With at least 80% of the population unemployed, the best option for most girls is to set up their own small enterprise.

Our next dream is to be able to provide each graduate with a small business start-up kit, so she can take her first vital step from destitution towards safety, dignity and independence.

Please get in touch if you want to help the Tana street girls.