In Morafeno, in Madagascar’s Sofia Region, change is taking root — in classrooms, health centers, family farms, and communities working together to help children thrive.
Since 2022, the MITSIRY Programme — implemented by ChildFund Alliance member Un Enfant par la Main — has been working with children, families, teachers, farmers, communities and local authorities to improve children’s lives across five fundamental rights: education, protection, health, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene.
The name MITSIRY means “to grow” in Malagasy. It reflects the programme’s long-term ambition: to support children to grow up in a safe, healthy and opportunity-rich environment.
Designed as a 10 to 15-year integrated development programme, MITSIRY aims to create lasting improvements for children and families across Morafeno. Its first impact report, covering 2022 to 2025, shows encouraging progress.
MITSIRY: impact at a glance
Since the programme began, MITSIRY has reached 3,800 children, 1,300 parents, 560 farmers, 180 teachers and 160 local authorities and community stakeholders. Some of the highlights include:
- Education: 41 fully equipped classrooms built across nine schools
- Protection: 2,000 birth certificates issued to children who were previously unregistered
- Water, sanitation and hygiene: 2,100 students reached with hygiene education across nine schools
- Health: 6,500 people across six villages now have access to a new electrified and fully equipped health centre
- Nutrition: 42,000+ seedlings produced and planted through 21 community nurseries
Creating better places to learn
In education, MITSIRY has helped transform the learning environment. Alongside the new classrooms, two sports fields have been built, teachers have received training, reading clubs have expanded, and parents’ associations have been strengthened.
These investments are already making a difference: school attendance has increased and children report greater motivation to attend school. The programme has also supported a 91% pass rate in the CEPE primary school exam, exceeding the national average.
Helping children know and claim their rights
MITSIRY is also helping children to be better protected.
Birth registration has given more children access to a legal identity and essential services, while Children’s Rights Clubs in schools are helping children understand their rights, express their views and participate in decisions that affect them.
Improving health, water and hygiene
Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene has improved. Household water filters have been distributed to families, schools and health centres, while 11 schools have been equipped with sanitation boreholes and solar-powered handwashing facilities. Hygiene education activities are supporting healthier behaviours and better school attendance.
Health services have strengthened too. A new electrified and fully equipped health centre now provides healthcare for communities across six villages. Following advocacy with the Ministry of Health, the centre now has a permanent doctor. Schools have also received first-aid kits, with teachers and staff trained to respond to illnesses and emergencies.
Supporting nutrition and stronger livelihoods
Nutrition remains a critical focus. At the start of the programme, one in two children was malnourished. MITSIRY is supporting families through community nurseries, vegetable production, agroecology, farmer training and savings groups. These activities are helping improve food security, diversify diets and strengthen family livelihoods.
For Justin, a farmer involved in the programme, the impact has been felt across his whole household. “The introduction of off-season market gardening has significantly improved my household’s living conditions because it has genuinely strengthened our income. We started by cultivating small plots of onions and cucumbers. Seeing the positive results, we progressively expanded the cultivated area and diversified production to include peppers, chillies and lettuce.
“The profits generated allowed us to invest in two draft oxen and cover university enrolment costs for my son, who recently passed his secondary school examination. Today, this activity represents a key pillar of our family’s financial security.”
Building change that lasts
The results show the value of an integrated approach. Better schools, stronger health services, safer communities, improved nutrition and access to clean water are working together to support children’s well-being and future opportunities.
While much work remains, the first four years of MITSIRY show that long-term investment, local leadership and community ownership can help create lasting change.
Through MITSIRY, Un Enfant par la Main is supporting children across Morafeno to grow, learn and thrive — today and for generations to come.
Learn more: please contact Marine Cuinat, Madagascar Program Manager at Un Enfant par la Main on mcuinat@unenfantparlamain.org