Tupac Shakur, an American rapper, once said:
“I’m not saying I’m going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”
There are countless ways to interpret this quote, but for me, it perfectly captures the importance of sharing knowledge and being a positive role model. If that sounds abstract, allow me to illustrate it with real examples from our work with AiNA soa.
As human beings, our time on Earth is short. No matter how dedicated one individual may be, they cannot change the world alone. Sooner or later, our time runs out—and with it, our desires, aspirations, and knowledge risk being forgotten.
A Hint to a More Powerful Approach
But what if we could inspire someone else through our actions? What if we shared our knowledge with someone who could then do the same with another person? This creates a ripple effect—like a drop of oil spreading across the surface—reaching far beyond what we could ever do alone. Our values and knowledge would continue to live on, possibly long after we’re gone. That’s the power of passing the torch.
As Nelson Mandela once said:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
About AiNA soa
At AiNA soa, our mission is to offer free first aid training in some of the poorest regions of Madagascar. Our dream is for every Malagasy person to know at least the basics of first aid. But we are still a small organization—just 11 committed individuals working in Madagascar.
To truly scale our impact, we realized we couldn’t just stop at training people in first aid. We needed to train trainers—to empower a select group of dedicated participants from past sessions to become first aid educators themselves. These individuals would not only multiply our impact but also continue our mission in their own communities, even without our presence.
Meet Linga and Laphostin
Last year, we trained a group in the basics of first aid. Among them were Linga and Laphostin, who quickly stood out due to their dedication, energy, and deep desire to help others. When we invited them to join our “training of trainers” program, explaining clearly that they would eventually teach their communities for free, they both accepted without hesitation.
Linga is an active scout from Vangaindrano, a remote region in southeastern Madagascar. Laphostin is a young man from the same area, searching for a job after completing military service.
As a final step in their training, we asked them to lead a session on their own. They chose a small village called Ampasimalemy, about 10 km from Vangaindrano.
To be honest, we didn’t expect much turnout—but Linga proved us wrong. Many villagers made long journeys by foot from remote areas just to attend. They stayed through the entire first day and returned the next day to finish the training.
At first, Linga and Laphostin were nervous and made some small mistakes. But as their supervisor, I encouraged them to keep going. During breaks, I gave them feedback, shared teaching tips, and reminded them to breathe and trust themselves. Gradually, they found their rhythm. They adapted their teaching methods to make the training more accessible—even for participants who couldn’t read or write.
Capitalizing on Skills and Experience
By the end of the second day, both Linga and Laphostin had passed their final evaluations and became certified first aid trainers. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. We had done it—together. We had passed the torch.
Now, even if we don’t return to Vangaindrano anytime soon, I know that first aid knowledge will continue to spread where it’s needed most. I believe this is how we’ll eventually build a more resilient and caring society.
The journey is far from over. There is still a long road ahead. But in moments like these, I feel hopeful that real, sustainable change is possible.
As Plato said:
“Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.”
Avotra, Doctor and First-Aid Instructor