Thrift and Trust — The growth of AiNA soa

Back in 2013, our organization had very limited resources — just enough to operate for a few months. That was when we learned to manage wisely what we had: to use only what was essential and to set something aside in case things didn’t go as planned.

We worked with only the most basic equipment to carry out our daily tasks. At that time, there were no refined gadgets, no extra accessories, nothing perfectly suited to our needs. Just like in first aid training, where the principle is to use whatever is available, we made the most of what we had.

Our finances were settled down to the last penny. We bought only what was necessary, no matter how attractive or fitting it seemed, and every expense was counted to the very cent. That was a good starting point.

At AiNA soa, these small beginnings laid the foundation of something bigger. By using wisely what we had, we slowly earned trust — both from our partners and from faithful supporters abroad. Saving what we could allowed us to stay stable, but in the meantime, we invest only in what is priority, reliability and trustworthy that multiplied our impact. What started with a handful of resources and a small team has grown into an organization that today reaches far more families, associations, organizations and communities.

Soon after, we partnered with a local medical institute. This collaboration opened the door to a major public partner — the Ministry of Health. Together, we produced our very first instruction manual, Vonjy Aina (“First Aid”).

Once the book was officially published, it strengthened our relationship with the Ministry of Public Health. At that time, our focus are health workers and community workers across several districts in the region of Alaotra Mangoro.

As time went on, we extended our target further — first to the western region of Bongolava, then to the southeast in the region of Atsimo Atsinanana. None of this would have been possible without the trust and support of AiNA soa’s donors. We remain deeply grateful to each of you. I warmly invite you to consult our activity reports, where you will find detailed information on the number of people trained, the regions served, and how your donation has been used. We are transparent regarding our finances.

Today, after 12 years, AiNA soa has grown significantly — not only in human resources but also through partnerships with three new major Public Ministries. In addition, private companies, international organizations, and even embassies now place their trust in AiNA soa and request our services.

Our team in Madagascar has expanded to 11 dedicated members, all working together to fulfill AiNA soa’s vision of reaching the four corners of the country. As a result, our annual planning calendar has become increasingly full. More and more people discover us, whether through personal recommendations, social media, or our website — and this visibility continues to strengthen our mission.

I now understand why our former leaders chose the path of thriftiness: it has ensured sustainability, longevity, credibility, and financial stability. If we had been wasteful — would AiNA soa still exist today? We’re truly grateful that our organization is still going strong and can look to the future with hope.

It has shaped not only our finances but also our people, cultivating a culture of responsibility. A thrifty approach teaches every staff member to value resources and to foster creativity, accountability, and teamwork.

In the early days, we did not have sophisticated tools. Instead, the team improvised and created with whatever was available. This discipline not only saved costs but also strengthened our resilience. Later, as supporters increased, we were able to invest in better and more appropriate training materials. Even today, we remain guided by the principle from our early days: ‘Make the most of what you have.”

For AiNA soa, thrift has always gone hand in hand with wise investment. Careful saving enabled us to face unexpected challenges, while strategic investments — in staff, in programs, in training — allowed us to expand. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the generosity of faithful friends and supporters, especially from Switzerland. Their trust and long-term commitment have made it possible not only to sustain our work but also to reach further than we ever imagined.

Thrift gave us stability. Generosity opened new doors. Together, they form the story of AiNA soa’s growth — a testimony that small beginnings, managed wisely, can bear lasting fruit.