Cymraeg
MfM works to transform the lives of vulnerable children in and around the capital. Orphaned, abandoned, abused and homeless children are given shelter, food, healthcare, education, water, sanitation and loving care. Children and their families receive long-term support to help them overcome the root causes of their destitution. Children in remand and custody are also given training and support to restart their lives.
As a charity that has supported vulnerable children for over 30 years, we believe that the best place for children is with their families. In cases where residential care is necessary, we expect high standards of care and a community-based approach that promotes integration into the community.
Akany girls enjoying their training in Hospitality
MfM welcomes the current political shift from orphanages towards family-focused solutions that put the child’s needs at the heart. Money for Madagascar has a long-standing commitment to protecting and enabling vulnerable children. We support projects that help families stay together and tackle the root causes of children’s destitution wherever possible. Madagascar is a desperately poor country where poverty kills one in ten infants a year. To protect and enable vulnerable children in Madagascar, it is necessary to tackle both rural and urban poverty. MfM works to prevent destitution and help destitute children rebuild their lives. Wherever possible, a child is supported to stay with or to re-join their family.
By investing in education, health, sanitation and nutrition in 60 rural communities, we try to reduce infant mortality and improve the quality of life and prospects of Malagasy children. Currently, thousands of children are sent to the capital each year in an attempt to escape rural poverty. But many of these children find themselves in far worse situations in the capital. Some are mis-treated as maids and are then sent to prison, many live in shanties or even on the streets. Some resort to begging and prostitution.
Whilst MfM invests heavily in a programme to strengthen and enable rural Malagasy children, we do not turn a blind eye to those who have become destitute in the capital. We support the vital work of both day centres and residential centres that are helping homeless, abused and orphaned children to get back on their feet. The family plays a crucial role in all the centres that we support. All centres provide food, medical care, education and emotional support. Day centres like Centre Fihavanana provide daily support to homeless and vulnerable children, who return to their families every night. Support is also offered to the parents where possible to help them tackle their problems and move towards secure accommodation. We strive to enable destitute children to regain their place as citizens with rights. Helping procure birth certificates and providing accelerated catch-up classes are key steps in getting them into mainstream schools. Longer-term sponsorship can help them stay in school and achieve their diplomas. In some cases, residential care is necessary. If the Malagasy courts deem that a child is acutely vulnerable, then they can place them in an approved residential centre.
One of our Akany graduates
In December 2019, the UN rightly criticised many orphanages that had become silos for abandoned children. They often found that the children had families who could have provided more loving care than an orphanage. However, this is not the case with the Akany Avoko residential centres that MfM supports. When a child arrives at one of the Akany centres, the search begins to find the child’s relatives. In some cases (such as abuse), it may not be appropriate for a child to rejoin their family. But, wherever suitable, the Akany centres work hard to restore family relationships so it may be possible for a child to return home. For children with nowhere to go, the best possible care must be provided.
Occasionally, fostering or adoption might be possible. But for most orphans and abandoned children, residential care is the only option. Therefore, the residential centres must provide the best possible care so that children can develop their social and emotional confidence. To help children become well-rounded and engaged citizens, children living at the Akany residential centres engage fully with the local community. They are members of the church choir, and the scouts, they join sporting tournaments, go out to the village school and go on holidays and outings to have fun and discover their beautiful country. They also enjoy making friends with both local and international volunteers and visitors, who can help the core Malagasy staff by providing additional fun activities like sports, music, arts and crafts. Two Akany centres have separate cafes, craft shops, and accommodations for volunteers/ guests. These facilities provide vital income to the centres and valuable training and work experience opportunities for older teenagers. The Akany centres support the children and young people until they can live and work independently. This may include support through university education, vocational training or business start-up. Even after graduates leave, many feel they still belong to the family of the Akany centre. Some return for reunions and celebrations or to introduce their fiancée or new-born child. For example, others stay in touch regularly by selling their crafts to tourists through the Akany centre shops. Some eventually set up homes in the two Habitat villages created by Akany Avoko.
Akany girls returning from school
MfM is committed to protecting and enabling Madagascar’s most vulnerable children. Wherever possible, we start by supporting children to flourish in their home community with their families. Where this is not possible, we are committed to supporting children in centres that provide the highest quality of care and enable children to build meaningful friendships with each other, with staff, and with people in the wider community.
MfM currently supports three residential centres, four-day centres and two juvenile prison wings.
Click on the ‘menu’s below’ to find out more:
Residential Centres at:
Day Centres at:
Juvenile Prison Wing at:
Over One Thousand children benefit from this programme every year.
MfM believes in investing in children to help them reach their potential. We also invest in the carers so they can be skilled, motivated and caring . Staff training workshops this year have addressed: child protection, child development, multi-sector approaches, and ecological and income generating activities.
