Developing eco-villages in Madagascar
Eco-Villages in Madagascar promote community cooperation for better health and well-being
In the commune of Sihanamaro, in the south of Madagascar a new UNICEF-supported project called “Eco-villages” is providing essential infrastructure, such a clean water, while supporting families and children.
Targeting over 38,000 people, the program, which is supported by the UK national committee for UNICEF and the Moon Dance organization, offers sustainable solutions that meet household and community needs in the areas of health, nutrition, education, hygiene and sanitation, and child protection.
Community engagement is on display in maintaining hygiene and sanitation within the village. After being educated about the importance of sanitation in maintaining children’s health, each household built a latrine using locally available materials, this in a region where open defection is still widespread. The community were also sensitized on safeguarding the environment through new practices. To assist in income-generating activities that, the community also develop a small credit union that provides loans to those a plan to create a small business, such a livestock rearing.
The work to end open defecation free is a testament to the village’s commitment to improving the health and nutrition of families and children. “Now, we understand the importance of sanitation. The air is fresher, we can eat healthier cactus fruits, and diseases have decreased,” says the village president.
Another initiative is the production of new cooking materials made with waste products. Throughout the year, the community was trained in adopting new approaches to cooking meals using the different types of fuel.
For women and girls, the fabrication and selling of washable sanitary pads helped the community to break the taboo around menstrual hygiene. Miza Fetemami'e, Voatsavori’e and Natovoazy Maho, all aged 15, are happy to talk about the difference the pads have made in their lives. “Even on sports day at school, we can run and play football when wearing those sanitary pads. We are more comfortable, and we can easily take part in all activities without being embarrassed,” says Miza Fetemami'e. “I can also talk about menstrual hygiene without feeling ashamed, as I now have more knowledge. My parents also decided to build a shower with local materials,” she adds.
In this part of Madagascar, girls and women are not allowed to take care of their husbands during their periods. “I have used rags and even after washing several times a day, I still feel dirty,” one woman said. She decided to buy four pieces of sanitary pads, locally produced and that can be used all year. “I even encourage other women and girls, friends and families to use them,” she said.
The sanitary pads are another program that came out of the credit union, which residents contribute to. Three associations, each comprising 25 members, have been established to determine who receives the grants. Another group of women produced tablecloths as well, which they sell for around 45,000 ariary, or $ 10. This sum allows the members of the associations to meet their families' needs. Thanks to the profits they make, families can vary the food they eat, not often the case in this part of the country, and they afford to send their children to school.
The actions of this community demonstrate the essential pillars of the Eco-village concept. These include the creation of climate-resilient and low-carbon infrastructure and basic services, community awareness and capacity building to enhance resilience, private sector engagement to foster entrepreneurship, and income-generating activities, particularly for youth and women, and improvement in nutrition and health.
