(English) Building better lives through trust

Mae’n ddrwg gen i, mae’r cofnod hwn dim ond ar gael mewn English.

‘MfM is our trust, and we are MfM’s trust’

Jean Pierre Ratsimbazafy, director, SAF FJKM Melaky

A celebration of a Malagasy organisation’s 35^th birthday – and the 20^th anniversary of its ongoing partnership with Money for Madagascar – has highlighted the ways in which trust is building better lives across a region.

SAF FJKM Melaky, a development organisation set up by the Malagasy Protestant church, works with and for men, women and children of all religions (and none). It helps them lift themselves from poverty, and secure better futures.

At the end of May, it held a four-day celebration of its 35^th year and the 20^th of its partnership with MfM, attended by representatives of the two organisations, and Melaky community leaders.

SAF Melaky’s director, Jean Pierre Ratsimbazafy, during his address at the celebration, said:

‘The Melaky region is one of the most remote and difficult to access in Madagascar, which complicates the search for partnerships to work here.

‘Our collaboration with MfM began in 2006. It has been rich in lessons over the past 20 years, for both of us, and I now feel that it has reached maturity, as it has continued to improve.

‘MfM… has never imposed itself in the collaborations. The collaboration is always based on dialogue and the exchange of ideas through the suggestions we make. What distinguishes MfM… is its flexibility and the importance placed on exchange. MfM strives to question the problems and the solutions.

‘MfM has helped raise the profile of Melaky, and Maintirano in particular, on the international scene.

‘Our collaboration can be summed-up with this Malagasy proverb:

‘“Mpirahalahy mianala ny MfM sy ny SAF Melaky ka ny MfM tokinay ary izahay tokin’ny MfM.”

‘In English:

‘“MfM and SAF Melaky are brothers, MfM is our trust, and we are MfM’s trust.”‘

The celebration began with an opening service at the FJKM Mangotroky Maintirano Church.

On the second day, guests gathered in Belailay village, for a dinner hosted by project beneficiaries, including Community Savings Groups (CSGs) and women’s associations. Belailay residents and guests then visited the Belailay reforestation site, which is being implemented as part of the SAF Melaky and MfM collaboration.

During the visit, the Regional Director of Environment and Sustainable Development (DREDD) expressed her gratitude to the residents of Belailay, SAF FJKM, and MfM for their efforts in environmental protection:

‘I am particularly grateful to the residents of Belailay and all our partners. Your efforts truly contribute to the realisation of the government’s vision and set a good example for all residents of the region. Indeed, this Belailay reforestation site won the DREDD award for the best tree plantation in the region in 2025. We thank all the residents who participated in protecting the environment, as well as their partners, we hope that your efforts will continue. We are ready to help and support you with any assistance you may need.’

Also on the second day, the Community Savings Groups that collaborate with SAF FJKM as part of MfM’s Resilient Forests and Livelihoods (RFL) programme with the Integrated Civil Society and Stakeholder Coalition Project (PISCCA), conducted an exchange visit to share their experiences with each other.

Members of groups still in the preparation and study phase visited more advanced organisations, including visiting the gardens of GEC MIRAY HINA, an organisation with 40 members, and learnt from the latter’s experiences and successes.

On the third day, a discussion conference was held between local authorities and beneficiaries on the project’s success for all, in developing the region and helping people achieve their objectives, including ensuring food security and lifting themselves from poverty.

The District Chief expressed his deep gratitude to SAF FJKM, MfM, and the beneficiaries:

‘SAF FJKM is one of the most important partners for the development of the Melaky and Bemaraha regions.

‘What sets them apart is their commitment to local development and their proximity to the population, especially women.

‘Our region is both a hard-to-reach area and a red zone in terms of security. Therefore, few donors and partners reach us with development projects.

‘We sincerely thank SAF FJKM and MfM, our partners, for their tireless efforts and support in our development work. During emergency responses in this region, SAF FJKM is always the first to help us resolve the problems of the victims. We hope our cooperation will continue and we are ready to help each other in the fight against insecurity and meet all your needs.’

MfM board member and trustee Theresa Haine has worked alongside SAF FJKM Melaky since its formation.

In her speech, she expressed gratitude to SAF FJKM and the beneficiaries for their work, and praised their successes. She said:

‘Money for Madagascar and SAF FJKM Melaky have been working together for 20 years, and I am very impressed by the work and the many good ideas you have implemented to improve your living conditions and protect the unique environment of this region.

‘From the beginning, Money for Madagascar has been convinced that the Malagasy people know what they need to do and always know how to do it. They need encouragement and support to achieve their goals. From what I have observed over the years, and especially in recent days, I see that our collaboration is going well and I hope it will continue.’

At the end of the conference, SAF FKJM Melaky representatives and project participants presented the Money for Madagascar team and the local authority with a commemorative pennant marking 20 years of cooperation, and handcrafted gifts made by the women’s organisations benefiting from the project.

The celebrations concluded with thanksgiving and praise to God at the FJKM Mangotroky Maintirano Church.

(Participants and attendees of the event included:

The representative of the region, the district chief, representatives of public services such as the Regional Directorate of the Environment and Sustainable Development (DREDD), the Regional Directorate of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (DREAH), the Regional Directorate of Population and Solidarity (DRPS), the Chamber of Commerce, the Urban Commune of Maintirano, the heads of fokontany and community notables, representatives of existing associations in Maintirano, representatives of the beneficiaries of SAF FJKM Melaky, representatives of the MfM team, the president of the FJKM synod of Bamaraha, the President of the Board SAF FJKM Melaky and the SAF FJKM Melaky team.)