A discouraging start
As part of the FAWAY project (First Aid for Women and Youth), carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, our team continued its activities this year in southwestern Madagascar along the National route 34.
In March, our first stop was Mandoto, about 267 kilometers south of the capital city. Our goal was to train around forty young people in first aid.
But once we arrived, things did not go as planned. Only 17 participants showed up. After such a long journey, I have to admit I felt deeply disappointed. I genuinely began to wonder whether our presence still mattered. Had we really traveled all that way for so few people?
Faced with the situation, we decided to change course and try our luck in Betafo, about an hour and forty-five minutes away from Mandoto.
A morning filled with doubt
The next morning in Betafo, the training session was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Yet at that time, only two participants were there. Once again, I was skeptical. I kept asking myself: was this really worth it? Were we wasting time and resources?
Then, little by little, people started arriving. By 8:30, the room was already beginning to fill up.
An unexpected turnout
Within moments, the room became too small. We had to split the group into two and move some participants into another larger room. But even that was not enough. People kept coming. Some had traveled from nearby towns just to attend the training. Soon, there were not enough chairs left. In the end, we laid mats on the floor so everyone could still take part in the session.
I never expected to see so many people gathered in such a short time, especially for an activity organized almost at the last minute.
In the end, we welcomed 38 participants. But more than the number itself, it was their enthusiasm that stayed with me. They were engaged, focused, and truly grateful to be there. After what we had experienced in Mandoto, it felt incredibly reassuring.
“But beyond the numbers, what touched me most was their genuine interest. Every single one of them was attentive and happy to be there.”
A meeting that restored hope
One participant especially left a lasting impression on me. Throughout the training, he remained focused and fully involved. At the end of the session, he came to speak with me.
He told me that he dreams of becoming a first aid instructor and, one day, creating a local association of first aid responders.
That conversation changed something in me. I realized that even if this entire mission had only led us to meet that one young man, the journey would already have been worth it.
That moment renewed my hope in Malagasy youth. It reminded me that there are still young people who want to make a difference, help their communities, and create something valuable for their country. And in some way, through our trainings, we can help nurture that desire.
“There are still young people who want to make a difference, and build something meaningful for this country.”
What I’ve learned from all this
By the end of the mission, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. We had made the right decision by coming. We had not only shared knowledge — we had also shared hope.
This experience also taught me something more personal. I like when everything is carefully planned, and unexpected situations often make me uncomfortable. Yet this mission showed me that sometimes, the unplanned can open doors we never imagined.
“Sometimes, the unexpected paths lead us exactly where we are meant to be.”
If we had stubbornly stayed focused on our original plan in Mandoto, we would never have experienced what happened in Betafo.
Sometimes, the detours lead us exactly where we were meant to go.
Ammie, Doctor & First Aid Instructor