Nafiny, a responsible teenager plans to continue her education to university level

Nafiny, a 15-year-old girl, comes from a family of eight siblings. She is enrolled at the public college of the Commune of Amboasary Sud (southern Madagascar). Like many teenagers of the college, she returns to her native village every weekend. As a matter of fact, Nafiny comes from the Fokontany of Berenty Officiel in the Commune of Behara, located a dozen kilometres from her school. Nafiny rents a bicycle which allows her to make a round trip to her village. The fact of attending secondary school incurs regular costs for the family.

Fortunately, Suzette, 40 years old, mother of Nafiny is a beneficiary of the Fiavota programme funded by KOICA or "Korea International Cooperation Agency". In fact, for more than three years she has periodically received an allowance for the education of her 11-year-old son Tonombavaka. She has managed to save one portion of the regular cash transfers and is currently taking care of livestock of eight goats, as well as a plot of land for the cultivation of cassava and beans. Over time, other family members could benefit from the Fiavota programme as well.

Currently, Suzette can set aside some basic products and also some money to provide three meals a day to her daughter Nafiny when the latter stays alone in Amboasary, Monday to Friday. Indeed, Nafiny lives in a house near her college that her mother has rented for her in order to attend classes.

Living alone in the district capital could be a risk for a 15-year-old girl. However, Nafiny adopts a responsible attitude as a teenager. She is aware of all efforts made by her mother to enable her to continue her education.

 "I am having fun with my friends from college but at the moment I restrict myself to friendships, I haven't had an intimate relationship with a boy yet. I remain focused on my goal: to become a midwife, " she says. She adopted this resolution following several awareness-raising sessions: on the one hand at the college level by teachers and on the other hand through activities carried out by young people acting as community relays taking charge of accompanying measures for the Fiavota cash transfer programme.

In the face of the situation, Suzette proudly affirms: "I am confident about the future of my daughter!"