Being a social worker and devoting himself fully to vulnerable children and families.

Lanto Robivelo specializes in social work. He is currently the National Director of the NGO “Famille d’Accueil de Madagascar” which aims to professionalize the concept of foster families in Madagascar. He is also the President of the “Groupement des Travailleurs Sociaux de Madagascar” (GTSM), a group that was created after the World Social Work Day last year. It brings together associations of social workers throughout Madagascar. The aim of the Group is to make the professional social work known and to ensure it is recognized, unlike spontaneous social actions.

Questioned about the importance of social work in Madagascar, he is convinced that "social work is an essential lever for modelling a Malagasy-style development system where everyone finds his place, his responsibilities and his rights." Social work is therefore designed for the most vulnerable and/or those excluded from society; those who have difficulty accessing basic social services or those who have complex psycho-social and societal difficulties. A social worker takes action while defending the causes of these people or putting in place the necessary measures and interventions to address their issues and to sort them out. These actions are carried out in order to adapt the person to his environment and the environment to the person.

What impressed Lanto Robivelo most as a social worker was to work for the protection of children in difficult circumstances and to be their spokesperson. His work has enabled him to realize that children are always the victims and the most vulnerable following every crisis of a country. He is motivated and driven by defending the cause of children: “These children then become a source of inspiration for me. They are telling me indirectly, but directly through my job to make their voices heard, to put words to their emotions and their feelings when I am facing adults, decision-makers and community leaders.”

His days are generally busy and atypical. One day is unlike any other, and a social worker may wear many "hats" to handle the tasks and duties related to his multiple functions. Sometimes an office worker to manage the administrative and logistical side of the NGO that he leads, sometimes a field worker to support his co-workers in doing home visits and in managing cases handled by his NGO. In the field, it is the social worker who takes the upper hand where he uses his skills in listening, psycho-social support, or conflict management. He is fully invested in his work: "As a social worker, since we 'manage' delicate situations, I am constantly thinking because each case is unique." He is also required to be in contact with other officials (state institutions/civil society) in order to manage the projects of the NGO. And often his days are extended: "Once at home, three days in five, I have a virtual meeting with partners in the UK. "

Lanto Robivelo is confident about the future of social work in Madagascar. This discipline will no longer be “underestimated” but will be an essential function of public institutions: “Within 10 years, social work will be a discipline very appreciated by young people, not only as a job with stable and comfortable income, but also as a profession which motivates young people in their contribution to the recovery of our country.”