I am hosted by a governmental organization called Prosperer, sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development-FIDA. They support local farmers, artisans, and other skilled workers to create rural micro enterprises and provide trainings on financial management, quality improvement, marketing, business plans, etc. My primary assignment is in the district of Arivonimamo, but we have monthly meetings with the regional team which consists of two other districts (Miarinarivo, where Minnie is posted; and Soavinandriana, Bailey’s site).
During my first three months at site, I have spent most of my time observing and learning as much as I can about the Malagasy business practices, education, culture, and language (a little bit of French too!). While I will be spending most of my two years doing business advising and conducting trainings as needed, I also hope to have a secondary project on youth and community development.
Almost half of the children in Madagascar cannot afford education. My goal is to create a community center that provides free meals and business training for youth to learn how to become skilled workers and create their own income generating activities in exchange for begging on the streets. I have already worked with several highly motivated youth apprentices who will most likely serve as the leaders of my secondary project. Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for funding, similar programs, projects, networks, etc. Thank you!!
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