Madagascar: A Country Both Rich and Poor
According to the World Bank, Madagascar is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. In 2023, almost 75% of the population was living on less than $2.15 per day — the threshold for extreme poverty. In rural areas, the situation is even more critical.(1)
No one chooses where they are born. To be born in an unstable country, into a family with no resources, means starting life with several steps behind. And yet, Madagascar is rich in natural, cultural, and human resources. But these riches are not enough: without a fair system, they benefit only a few. Poverty here is not about laziness — it is often about environment, context, and the many barriers holding back an entire people.
(1) Source : https://fr.statista.com/statistiques/917055/pays-les-plus-pauvres-monde/
Intellectual Poverty: Another Face of Deprivation
Poverty is not limited to finance. Another, quiter form is intellectual poverty — the lack of access to knowledge, education, and vital information.
At AiNA soa, we have chosen to act by training the population in basic first aid. These simple gestures can save lives, but many Malagasy people are still unaware of them.
For example, in case of a burn, the affected area should immediately be put under cold water for 15 to 20 minutes. And yet, in several regions, common reactions are to apply toothpaste, flour, saliva, or even urine. These practices, often passed down through generations, can worsen the injury.
Unequal Access to Knowledge
Classroom in a rural commune of Vangaindrano
This gap between modern knowledge and traditional practices illustrates the educational deficiency that persists in many regions. Whether in urban or rural areas, we see daily how the lack of reliable information affects health and human dignity.
In the district of Vangaindrano, 800 km from the capital Antananarivo, AiNA soa has been active since 2017. Eight years of involvement have shown us the magnitude of the challenge: the lack of accessible educational structures, the shortage of trainers, and the geographical distance isolate communities from knowledge. In this context, people still rely on old, sometimes ineffective or outdated knowledge.
The aim is not to reject traditional knowledge, but to enrich it. Offering scientifically proven alternatives. Educating without imposing. Engaging in dialogue rather than correcting. Because true transformation is born of the encounter between respect for tradition and access to current knowledge.
Training to Empower
Village in a rural commune of Vangaindrano
Every action we learn, every idea we pass on, can transform our daily lives.
AiNA soa’s mission is clear: to give everyone, even in the most remote areas, the chance to protect themselves, to act and to pass on their knowledge. Because education means sowing the seeds of autonomy and dignity.
Poverty cannot be reduced to statistics. It has faces, voices, and stories. Understanding its roots is the first step towards acting. And acting means recognizing that every human being, whatever their starting point, has the right to a dignified life.
Passing on basic knowledge is already a powerful act against poverty. And every little step counts. Together, every small gesture can build a fairer, more humane future for Madagascar.
Maro, Fleet Manager & Assistant Trainer