My name is Ammie, and I joined the AiNA soa team in February 2025. These first two months have been marked by a period of discovery and adaptation. Today, I’m happy to share my journey of integration into the team.

My integration into AiNA soa: a warm welcome

Before joining this organisation, my journey was marked by several ups and downs, but I’m convinced that it was God who led me here, at this precise moment in my life. As soon as I arrived, the welcome was exceptional: smiles, humour, a welcome gift and a snack. All that really touched me.

The working environment is very pleasant. The Christian atmosphere puts me at ease. The absence of hierarchy and the fact that we call each other by our first names create an atmosphere of trust and friendly fellowship. This climate helped me to integrate quickly.

Furthermore, they explained the values of the NGO to me. I am 100% in agreement with them. “Helping others to save lives”: that’s a mission that gives real meaning to life!

Helping others to save lives”: that’s a mission that gives real meaning to life!

My First Mission to Vangaindrano: an inspiring journey

Vangaindrano is located in southeast of Madagascar. The aim of this mission was to train a group of local people to become first-aid trainers. This mission is of great importance to AiNA soa. It enables us to perpetuate the NGO’s vision. It empowers local people to pass on their knowledge of first aid. This enables us to reach a wider audience and reinforce the impact of our action.

During this assignment, my role was mainly to observe and learn. I haven’t taught yet, but I’ve had the opportunity to take part in the training of first-aid trainers given by my colleagues. I’ve been deeply inspired by the way they teach. They are very competent.

This trip was a wonderful experience. It was my first time in southeast of Madagascar, and I’m grateful to have been able to discover such landscapes. The trip made me aware of the Creator’s greatness and the beauty of his creations. I was also touched by the participants’ interest in the course. Many of them were highly motivated, and their testimonials made a real impression on me.

This mission has strengthened my commitment to AiNA soa. Seeing the direct impact of first aid on communities gave me a new perspective on our work. It also motivated me to take up teaching myself.

The trip made me aware of the Creator’s greatness and the beauty of his creations 

Leading My First Training in Tanà: a new awareness

This basic first aid training course was held in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Unlike training courses aimed at organized groups such as the scouts, this one brought together individual participants, who had come after seeing our announcement on social media. The aim was to teach them life-saving gestures and the basics of first aid.

Before this training, I thought that first aid didn’t really interest people in the city. But I was pleasantly surprised to see motivated people, ready to learn to help their fellow human beings.

Right from the start, I was nervous about teaching, but as the sessions went on, I felt more and more at ease. I realized that I really loved what I was doing.

This experience opened my eyes to the importance of our work and its direct impact on people’s lives. The participants were dynamic and involved, and we were able to break down some common misconceptions about first aid in case of an accident. This first training course was a valuable step in my learning process.

This experience opened my eyes to the importance of our work and its direct impact on people’s lives 

Figure 1: Participants during the initial training course in Antananarivo

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In short, my first steps with AiNA soa have enabled me to better understand the importance of our mission and to find my place in the team. They also gave me the desire and motivation to continue learning and to commit myself fully to this wonderful adventure.

Finally, I’d like to thank all those who support AiNA soa from far and near, because without you, those training courses and this mission would not be possible. May this commitment continue to inspire and save lives across Madagascar!

With gratitude,

Ammie, doctor and first aid instructor