Location
Ampasimbola, District Amparafaravola, Madagascar
Community Description
Antsakoana is a small village south of the town Amparafaravola located in the Eastern part of Madagascar. Ampasimbola is one of 20 communes in District Amparafaravola.
The district of Amparafaravola, is located in a large rice-producing area near Lake Alaotra in central Madagascar. Rice farming is seasonal work and families that do not own land must send their entire family, including children, to work in the fields of others. Landless families are forced to forego education for their children. Going without ample food for extended periods of time leads to the chronic condition of malnutrition, which persists in children even during times when they have enough to eat.
ZAHATRA is a local non-governmental organization operating in Madagascar, a nation that suffers from some of the highest rates of poverty and childhood malnutrition in the world. ZAHATRA means “raft” in Malagasy, and the metaphor is intentional: These families are waiting to cross the river to a better life, they just don’t have any way to get there. ZAHATRA is their raft.
ZAHATRA’s mission is to ensure that all children have the right to food, education, health and the opportunity for a better life. With support from local government and churches, ZAHATRA’s dedicated Malagasy volunteers provide food and school supplies to vulnerable children and offer vocational training and social support to their parents or guardians.
20 children and their families are currently supported by ZAHATRA and are fed in the newly constructed community center. There are many more families that are unable to adequately feed their children or send them to school. However, the organization is unable to assist other families due to a lack of a close water source.
Project Description
This project is to dig a well between the local elementary school and the community center in which ZAHATRA operates its feeding program. In addition, a handwashing station will be built.
Steps to be taken include preparation of the land, purchase of materials, digging of well, construction of well cover and pulley, and construction of the handwashing station.
The property where the well will be built is community property, public land overseen by the head of the village. The well will benefit all those in the village (fokontany of Ampasimbola).
The well will be hand dug to a depth of about 12 meters. Soil conditions are such that it will not be necessary to line the well.
A cover, made of brick, cement, and iron, will prevent the entry of contaminants.
The handwashing station will be built from brick, stones, and cement. A large water container will be attached and soap will hang from the side.
Water Charity funds will purchase the materials for the well cover and pulley, buckets, piping, and for the handwashing station, as well as to pay for skilled labor.
Members of the community, including members of ZAHATRA, will assist in managing of the project, purchasing of supplies, preparing the land, and teaching health lessons at the center and at the elementary school regarding the importance of hand washing.
Project Impact
20 children being provided meals from the feeding programs will benefit from the project. In addition, there are 75-100 students who go to the elementary school at any given time, and about 10 nearby families, that will also benefit from the well.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Teena Curry
Comments
This is a necessary and cost-effective infrastructure project that will improve the lives of a large number of people.
Teena previously completed the Morarano Chrome Water Pump Project – Madagascar and the Antsakoana Water Pump Project – Madagascar.
Dollar Amount of Project
$550.00
Donations Collected to Date
$451.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$99.00 – This project has received major funding through the generosity of the Elmo Foundation, with the expectation of additional donations from the friends, family, and supporters of the Peace Corps Volunteer.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify the Peace Corps Volunteer of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by the PCV and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.