Visit to Compassion Madagascar

In July I was privileged to visit Compassion Madagascar in Antananarivo (the capital city of Madagascar). Compassion Madagascar is not connected to Compassion - the organisation that we know in Australia  - it is an independent charity. The organisation was started by a couple we met earlier in 2024 when they visited the ship in Toamasina - Nat & Elodie. They have a number of different projects that they have started and they have dreams for expanding these and serving more needy people here in Madagascar. At this time they have several projects.

1. They are running a school for approximately 100 children who would otherwise not be attending school.

2. They provide women with training in making raffia bags to make themselves a living. 

3. They are supporting maternity services in many hospitals across Madagascar in a number of ways.

4.  They have a small cafe they have started that train staff to make and serve food in a commercial business. 

On my visit I was able to visit a local hospital and see some of the difficult conditions that are faced by women having children. We also went to see the school they run and where women are learning to make raffia bags they sell. I visited a home of a 12 year old student who had never been to school, due to poverty, until September 2023. Her and her two younger siblings are now are able to attend the Compassion Madagascar school. I also went to eat at the cafe they are running. 

Below you can see photos from this visit. If you would like to support the work of Compassion Madagascar there are several ways you can do this. 

1. They have a go fund me page that is supporting the school project to allow more children to attend school. Please see the link below if you would like to support this. https://gofund.me/98684ca2 

2. They sell the raffia bags made by the women. Each of these women have their own stories of poverty and hardship and this skill is a way for them to feed and support themselves and their families. These bags can be sent to Australia and if you would like to buy one please see some example photos below and visit their webpage www.compassionmadagascar.org 

3. Maybe you would like to come and volunteer some time in their school or in other ways. Please let me know and I can put you in touch with Elodie. 

Visiting a local maternity hospital

Compassion Madagascar has helped maternity hospitals across Madagascar introduce kangaroo care for premature babies. As there are no facilities for babies in need of humidicribs they teach parents to carry the child against their chest and provide straps that help to support this. The conditions in many maternity hospitals are very challenging. Below you can see the ward in the hospital we visited, the one toilet and shower for both staff and patients and the family planning clinic. There is a government dentist attached to this hospital - shown in the very last picture.

Raffia Bags For Sale

Below are some examples of the raffia bags that are made by ladies through Compassion Madagascar. By purchasing these you are supporting these women to make a living. If you would like to purchase a bag please visit the website or if you have questions let me know. www.compassionmadagascar.org