(English) SAF Maintirano and SAF Melaky

The isolated Maintirano district is one of the ecologically richest but economically poorest regions in Western Madagascar.  Containing dry deciduous forest, palm forest, and savannah; swamp, and pristine coral coastline, the area is teeming with endemic animal and plant life.  But an ever-growingneed for timber, charcoal and agricultural land are threatening to convert these rich varied habitats into a uniform, degraded landscape.  To combat this, MfM supports women’s cooperatives to develop sustainable ways to make a living, restore the land and forest, and educate the next generation to protect their natural environment.

As a single mother, Madame Rollande struggled to support her family. Thanks to FIVEMI’s micro credit scheme, she is able to buy charcoal, produced from sustainable MfM supported plantations and sell it for a profit. Since joining the scheme, she has been able to earn enough to afford her children’s school fees, provide them with nutritious daily meals and afford the rent increase this year. She even has enough to save a little in case of illness

Madame Vololona’s 4 children were often absent from school due to illness and the shame they felt at not being able to afford their school equipment or pay their fees on time. Thanks to a small loan from SAF Maintirano’s microcredit scheme, all this has changed. Mme Vololona has used her credit to set up a fish selling business. She buys her fish from the seashore and sells them at Filonga Market in Maintirano. Her children’s health has improved now that they are able to eat 3 nutritious meals a day and they have all got the necessary school equipment. Even with her monthly loan repayments, Mme Volona is able to put money aside to save up for her own fishing boat.