Anecdote: an inspiring encounter with First Aid
One day, during a family meal, I had an experience I’ll never forget. While we were eating, I swallowed a fish bone that got stuck in my throat. Although I could still speak and cough, I felt intense discomfort and pain from the stuck fishbone. Worried, I went to see a doctor in our neighborhood, Dr. Tahiry, who was also part of the AiNA soa team at the time..
After examining my throat, Dr. Tahiry reassured me that it wasn’t that serious. He found a small infection caused by a tear in my throat from the fish bone. He also explained the difference between choking and an obstruction in the digestive tract. Fortunately, I wasn’t choking because I could still speak. He said that if it had been choking, my situation would have been much more critical. Impressed by his knowledge and calmness, I couldn’t help asking him more questions. That’s when he asked me if I was interested in volunteering. At the time, AiNA soa was recruiting volunteers to support first aid training in Madagascar. Besides the various tasks given to volunteers, we also received first aid training. Without hesitation, I accepted his invitation. As I said on my AiNA soa profile (https://www.ainasoa.ch/en/team/), “A deep sense of compassion and an innate desire to help others have always been an integral part of my personality.” This experience was a revelation for me and marked the beginning of my commitment to volunteering. It’s amazing to realize how a small incident can open the door to significant and rewarding opportunities.
The power of simple actions
What Tahiry did could be considered a normal act for any doctor by many: receiving patients and doing his job. However, for me, his gesture went far beyond that. The fact that he offered to get me involved in volunteering with AiNA soa, when we weren’t even close, means a lot to me. It shows not only his commitment to his job but also his desire to promote community well-being and make a positive difference in the lives of others. This gesture, although simple, had a profound impact on me, inspiring me to follow a path of service and dedication.
It also inspired me to do the same, starting with the people closest to me, including my best friends and my little brother. We were always present at every meeting organized by AiNA soa for volunteers (See photo above: ‘AiNA soa – Volunteers with Dr. Tahiry, 2019’). In 2019, we were given a free first aid training, for which we are very grateful. I would particularly like to thank Mirindra and Sitraka (former AiNA soa staff) for training us. This experience has not only strengthened our first aid skills but also our bonds and our commitment to those around us.
Small actions : a positive influence on society
Sometimes we tend to think that our small daily actions, whether at home, in society, or at work, can seem insignificant and routine. Yet these simple gestures can have a huge impact. Since I was hired two years ago, one of my administrative tasks has been to find customers to sign up for our individual first aid training courses. I mainly focus on social networks, especially Facebook, to post training announcements. Everytime an upcoming first aid training course is announced on AiNA soa facebook page, I systematically share the post on my personal account. I hope that some of my Facebook friends and family will be interested in the training.
In fact, several people have shown their interest by subscribing to the page. Some have even encouraged their friends to sign up. Thanks to these small actions, I’ve been able to reach a larger number of people and raise awareness of the importance of first aid. These efforts, although seemingly modest, have helped create a positive influence within my community. This fills me with joy and encourages me to take more and more similar initiatives.
In conclusion, I’d like to end with this Malagasy proverb:
“Ny erikerika mahatondra-drano,” which literally translates to “Drizzle can lead to flooding.” This underlines the idea that even small actions or events can have a considerable impact and lead to significant results.
I encourage you to always take responsibility and never give up, even if your actions seem small and unnoticed, because you are part of the change. Every contribution, no matter how small, can play a vital role in the positive transformation of our society.
Mirana
Secretary & Communications responsible