Children in Peril Programs
“Children in Madagascar face significant challenges, including high rates of poverty, malnutrition, and limited access to education and healthcare. Many are vulnerable to child labor, exploitation, and the impact of natural disasters intensified by climate change.”
Key Statistics
- Poverty and Malnutrition: A large portion of children in Madagascar live in poverty, with nearly 82% of children under 18 living below the poverty line, according to UNICEF.
Malnutrition is a major concern, with a significant number of children under 5 suffering from it, affecting their growth and development. Chronic malnutrition affects half of children under age 5, making Madagascar one of the countries with the highest rates of malnutrition globally, according to Humanium. - Education and Access: Many children experience disruptions in their education, with school dropout rates increasing and limited access to preschool. While some progress has been made in primary school enrollment, completion rates for lower and upper secondary school are considerably lower. For example, only 34.6% of girls and 30.9% of boys complete lower secondary education, according to UNESCO. Many children are ill-prepared for school due to malnutrition and lack of early childhood stimulation.
- Vulnerabilities: Children are vulnerable to various forms of exploitation, including child labor, sex tourism, and domestic servitude, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Extreme weather events, such as cyclones and droughts, exacerbate food insecurity and poverty, increasing children’s vulnerability to exploitation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Child marriage is also a significant problem, with a considerable proportion of girls being married before the age of 18, says SOS Children’s Villages. In the southern region, many children are involved in mica mining, which is a form of exploitation and abuse, says UNICEF. - Factors Contributing to Challenges: Poverty, political instability, and climate change are major factors contributing to the challenges faced by children in Madagascar. The lack of infrastructure and access to services, particularly in rural areas, also impacts children’s well-being. The high rates of poverty make it difficult for families to meet their basic needs, leading to difficult choices that can be detrimental to children’s rights.
Information provided by Google AI
In this context, Friends of Madagascar Development’s goals are to support:
Nofy i Androy
This Malagasy organization was created by Mahareta Paubert Kaurin to help young girls remain in school and help the parents and community understand the importance of girls receiving an education and a career.
- $200 per year supports tuition for one girl.
- All sponsors receive, from the student, a photo, and 2 letters per year.
Hope School for Street Children
This school for street children was founded in 2007 by Dr. Peri and Ernestine Rasolondraibe, in Antananarivo. The school fills a dire need to educate children who come from desperately poor families.
- $71 per month supports the principal salary.
- $61 per month supports one teacher’s salary.
- Gifts help the school library acquire more books.
- Gifts help the computer lab obtain more computers and a reliable internet connection.
Dr. John Dyrnes School
The John Dyrnes School relocated to the city of Bezaha in the mid-1960s. The school has a history that goes back to the medical missionary, Dr. John Dyrnes, who rescued hundreds of children in peril. He provided a safe place for the children to live and receive an education. Today, the school continues the tradition of providing a quality education for children in K-12 grades.
- $45 per year supports one student’s tuition
- Additional gifts are used for improving school facilities.
Friends of Madagascar Development
CHILDREN IN PERIL PROGRAMS
The goal of Friends of Madagascar Development is to raise funds to support the programs needed to give Malagasy children the opportunity for education and safety. With the right support, students will have skills to support themselves, their families, and their communities. 100% of your gift will go to the program. Nothing will be taken out of your gift for Friends of Madagascar Development administration.