This period of the year was marked by training sessions with different partners, old and new. AiNA soa teams were out around Tana and in the regions.
Scouts and Ministry of Youth
While the youth in Antsirabe on National Road 7 were trained, the preparation of the sessions on the National Road 25 went further to the South East. Laza and Maro as representatives of AiNA soa went to Mananjary, Ifanadiana and Ambohimahasoa to present the first aid project.
They met with local officers of the Ministry of Youth, Mayors and Scout leaders. Meetings were also held to sensitize the local youth to register for the training when the time came.
Marked Road 25 to Mananjary
Training with regular partners
Many of COLAS employees (construction company) have benefitted from initial and refreshing training organized with AiNA soa. These sessions were held at the company’s head office in Antananarivo and in other regions.
The collaboration with Capital Humain Avenir de Demain (CHAD), an association developing human capacity, also continues in giving first aid training to teachers from different private schools around the capital city.
New partnerships and trainees
We are more than happy to realize that we have grown to be known in this domain of first aid training in Madagascar. Through recommendations from other organizations, we were asked to train the staff of the Association WITH and of the German Embassy in Antananarivo.
A group of 15 citizens from different backgrounds and ages was gathered to be trained in August. Participants in our individual training hear about the sessions through social media and word-of-mouth. Thankfully, the feedback is always positive.
Visit of volunteers
Four young volunteers from Switzerland had their first experience of Madagascar and the reality of AiNA soa’s work for a few weeks. Their contribution covered diverse activities: exchange about training kids, observing training in Toamasina, designing cards and raising funds.
Staff and volunteers
New training materials from Switzerland
Please read a report of their exciting journey in Madagascar here
https://www.ainasoa.ch/en/on-mission-in-a-foreign-country/
Training material development
Our medical team is developing flipcharts which are intended to be used in places where there is no electricity. They contain the same teaching as the MS PowerPoint material but it is presented in a different format. The volunteers offered to print some samples of the flipchart in Switzerland.
National News: Indian Ocean Island Games and election preparation
The eleventh version of the sports competition between the islands was hosted by Madagascar from the 25th of August to the 3rd of September. Thousands of athletes from seven countries competed for the few coveted medals. The death of twelve people and the injury of 80 others at the entrance of the stadium, before the opening ceremony, tarnished the joyful reunion. It also showed the importance of prevention and first aid knowledge in such incidents. Apart from that, Madagascar can be proud of the organization of the games and the fact that the host country came first in the number of medals.
The presidential election is planned to take place on the 9th of November. This is a turning point for the course of the future. The development of this country needs a serene election and an outcome that is accepted by all.
Outlook
Many doors have opened for AiNA soa teams to work on. These are great opportunities to advance our mission. We hope that the political environment will be favorable to our activities in the future.
Kind regards
Laza