History

1993

Sandrakely Integrated Conservation & Development Project.

Starting in 1993, Feedback Trust Madagascar concentrated its efforts on the rural and social development of the area around the Ranomafana National Park in southeast Madagascar. In particular, Feedback established a school rainforest reserve with the aim of teaching pupils about the importance of biodiversity conservation.

The project had three main components:

a) Training :

The forest reserve's management committee were trained in resource management, including the management of community rice stores and the community pharmacy, with the aim of assuring the region's sustainable development. Pupils were trained up so as to be capable of managing the school reserve in the future.

b) Conservation :

Feedback's principal activities were centred on awareness-raising about rainforest protection; pupils, teachers and villagers benefiting from environmental education training. Subjects covered included agriculture, agroforestry and conservation.
This component aimed to increase pupils', and adult's, knowledge and understanding about biodiversity so that they were able to continue such conservation activities after the project came to an end.

Results:

500 children and adults were trained; 10 teachers received training on the management of the school gardens and school forest reserve; another 50 were trained in environmental education and received materials.

In addition, Feedback rebuilt the school and the teacher's accommodation, as well as the office of the Water and Forest Service at Tsaratanana. Vegetable gardens were established, and wells and toilets installed. This led to an increase in parents', teachers' and pupils' motivation, and resulted in an increase in the rate of school attendance of over three-fold in the last year of the project.

With the aim of reforestation, 6 tree nurseries were established in Sandrakely, Tsaratanana and Ifanadiana, in which 5206 trees were raised during the season 1997-1998.

The school establishment was encouraged to take responsible for its surroundings, and consequently put in place various anti-bush fire measures, as well as undertaking reforestation of the area.

c) Development :

In reality, this component is inseparable from that of conservation and the environment, since community development is the only real way to motivate villagers to conserve their nature.

The creation of community groups eased the transfer of new techniques and training. The project concentrated on increasing the level of production and creating new income sources for villagers.

In addition, Feedback rebuilt the school and the teacher's accommodation, as well as the office of the Water and Forest Service at Tsaratanana. Vegetable gardens were established, and wells and toilets installed. This led to an increase in parents', teachers' and pupils' motivation, and resulted in an increase in the rate of school attendance of over three-fold in the last year of the project.

To this end, a committee was put in place so as to assure community awareness-raising activities, and to diffuse the information received in trainings given by project fieldworkers. Its aim was also the management of the school forest reserve.

Community groups were provided with materials including vegetable seeds. It was explained how the cost of these materials could be recuperated; the community's ability to buy materials necessary for the following year's development activities depends on the fund's cash takings.

A demonstration plot presenting developments in rice cultivation was established at Kianjamarina, and members of five community groups were trained in SRI (Intensified System of Rice Cultivation). This new technique contributes to forest conservation by intensifying production on existing fields, therefore reducing the necessity to expand cultivation into the forest. The project strategy considered how the population's fundamental social needs could be satisfied whilst preserving the forest.

The population of Sandrakely suffers from the persistence of diseases like bilharzia, dysentery and diarrhoea. In an effort to tackle these problems, Feedback installed wells and toilets for the school.

1994

Ranomafana Project.

In 1994, Feedback undertook the rehabilitation of the Ranomafana hospital, including its re-roofing, the provision of beds and visitors' accommodation. Out of the population of 12,000 beneficiaries in surrounding villages, a committee of elders was formed to oversee the work.

1995

Creation of a local NGO.

In 1995, CCDN (Collaboration Commune pour le Développement - Namana) was formed; a Malagasy NGO and partner organisation of Feedback Trust Madagascar. FBTM was instrumental in its capacity-building in the following years.

1998

Community Development and Forest Conservation Project, Ambohimahamasina .

In 1998, a request was received by CCDN from the Commune of Ambohimahamasina, for their assistance in the region's development.

As their main partner organisation, CCDN addressed to FBTM for the realisation of this development project. The project involves the conservation of primary rainforest including the sacred mountain of Ambondrombe, where it is believed that the spirits of all Malagasy people reside after their death.

The project objectives are:

• Agricultural development in order to assure food security, soil stability and crop diversification.
• The establishment and overseeing of community forest management, in order to conserve biodiversity whilst benefiting local communities. This includes the sustainable management of forest products and the resolution of conflicts concerning resource access.
• An increase in, and diversification of sources of, income for villagers, with particular attention to women's activities.
  
• The social development of local communities through improvements in their access to information, group decision-making, participation in project management and the promotion of gender-equitable development.
  

The detailed workplan includes three sections:

a) Conservation:

• The creation and legalisation of community groups (community forest management structures);
• The elaboration of a development plan for Ambohimahamasina's rainforest;
• An inventory of forest resources;
• The valuation of 'Tanety';
• Establishment of village tree nurseries.

b) Poverty reduction:

• Training villagers in new techniques of rice cultivation, the introduction of improved seeds, etc.;
• The development of a new agricultural calendar;
• The introduction of new products, the intensification of vegetable growing;
• Training villagers in new breeding techniques;
• Promotion of income-generating activities;
• Overcoming problems associated with seasonal differences in the price of rice;
• Rehabilitation of basic infrastructures;
• Monitoring the extent of the populations' integration in project activities.

c) Training:

• Training villagers in new techniques;
• Training project technicians in the field;
• Training staff members of CCDN.

 

Ambalavao Sericulture Project

This project targets young single mothers in particular, in an effort to overcome the problem of prostitution, and to reduce poverty and the level of unemployment. The project was initiated in 1998 after a women's association requested assistance in the establishment of large-scale weaving and cloth production in Ambalavao. Weaving is a craft traditional to this region, and uses the Malagasy endemic silkworm, as well as the Chinese silkworm, for silk thread production.

The sericulture project's objectives are:

• The development of a weaving industry in Ambalavao.
• To provide women with training in money management, primary healthcare and family planning, nutrition, vegetable gardening, literacy, basic mathematics, marketing, etc.
• To provide agricultural training.

The project was initiated in three phases:

1)

• Initial training for the women's groups and CCDN.
• Mulberry tree plantation.

2)

• Intensification of training on weaving for the women's groups.
• Putting in place of necessary infrastructure for CCDN's running of the training centre (building construction and installation of water).
• Training for CCDN in mulberry tree care.

3) Finalisation of equipment installation and start of production.

The urban commune of Ambalavao has greatly contributed to the success of this project, which is now under the management of CCDN.

1998
FBTM established its office in Antananarivo, in order to co-ordinate projects and liase between CCDN, FBM in Scotland and other international donors.

"Information - Education - Communication" Project.

Following on from Feedback's production of the documentaries "Burnt Rice" (1995) and "Sandrakely" (1996), the film reportage "Ny Bilarziôzy" was produced in 1998. Produced in the language of Malagasy, the film aims to raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of the disease Bilharzia. It was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Pasteur Institute of Madagascar (IPM), and was filmed in two different zones; Kianjavato (Mananjary) and Tsiroanomandidy.

Traditional birth attendant training programme.

This programme was initiated during a successful collaboration between OTP (Overseas Training Programme/Voluntary Service Overseas) and FBM during the year 1998/9.

Organising the first ever training of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in Madagascar, two trainings of 42 TBAs were achieved in 1999, in collaboration with the Family Health Service (a division of the Ministry of Health in Antananarivo), the district health authorities in Ambalavao, and the health centre in Ambohimahamasina.

During 2001, following a positive evaluation of the TBA trainings conducted in 1999, FBTM continued its TBA training programme. (Refer to section 'Projects' for details).

2001

Independence of CCDN.

FBTM was integral to the creation of CCDN Namana in 1995. From then the intention was always of developing CCD Namana to be an independent, sustainable Malagasy NGO. Feedback worked towards this with CCDN until they achieved their independence in 2001 with the Community Development and Forest Conservation Project in Ambohimahamasina and the Ambalavao Training Centre. They now work directly with international donors and are governed by a Conseil d'Administration.

2002

Creation of a new local NGO in Madagascar.

With the independence of CCDN, Feedback Trust Madagascar decided to use its experience to help create another Malagasy non-governmental organisation (NGO); NY TANINTSIKA (Malagasy for 'Our land / Our Earth').

Continuing to act on its core belief in sustainability, Feedback now works through Ny Tanintsika (NT) for the execution of all their development interventions.

NT works independently, but in partnership with FBTM.

NT's aims to:

• Increase local communities' capacity, using a participatory approach, in order to promote sustainable development;
  
• promote income-generating activities;
• facilitate local initiatives;
• promote primary healthcare;
• improve natural resource management.

 

Ethnobotanical research project.

With support from the Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers), an ethnobotanical research project was carried out in 2001 in the commune of Ambohimahamasina. Its aim was to further ethnobotanical knowledge and understanding of the context in which traditional medicine is used in Madagascar, particularly outside of protected areas. By making the findings available to Malagasy communities, authorities and the scientific community, to heighten appreciation of non-timber forest products.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 traditional healers and 19 traditional birth attendants (TBAs) who use medicinal plants, as well as other knowledgeable villagers, and excursions were made into the forest to identify and collect medicinal plants. The research investigated how ethnobotanical knowledge changes according to; distance from the forest, generations, variations in the use of western medicines, and the rate of deforestation.

A household survey was conducted to establish villagers' perceptions and use of traditional remedies. Villages were chosen with consideration to their geographical setting; close to the forest, near to the hospital, and far from both the hospital and forest. Approximately 184 different plant specimens were collected and are in the process of being identified at the PBZT (Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza) in Antananarivo.

Click here for the summary of findings on the Ethnobotanical project

The Community Reproductive Health & Family Planning Training Programme

Summary

Recognising the link between environmental degradation, agricultural sustainability and poor health, 2002 saw the launch of Feedback Madagascar and Ny Tanintsika’s ground-breaking new health education programme in communities bordering the rainforest. In an area with little access to information and very low educational levels, as well as one of the country's highest rates of STD infection, this programme has provided people with the knowledge they need to make important life choices.

Launched in the commune of Ambohimahamasina, community trainings were held in every village in the area, unusually targeting men and women, girls and boys. Headed by a junior doctor of the local ethnic group, the project team succeeded in directly reaching over 2000 people in more than 70 villages with countless indirect beneficiaries.

This programme is complimentary and runs in parallel to Feedback's Traditional Birth Attendant Programme (TBAP), supporting the work of the trained traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in the most isolated areas of the Fianarantsoa region.

Project background

• Health statistics show that the Fianarantsoa region is one of the poorest regions in Madagascar. It has the highest fertility rate, with women having an average of 6.9 children, as well as the second lowest rate of family planning adoption, with just 10 % of women using either a traditional or modern form of contraceptive. These figures are, however, dramatically accentuated in rural areas.
• Traditionally, family planning has concentrated on just one aspect of reproductive health care, on controlling fertility. However, the use of family planning methods can dramatically reduce maternal and child mortality and morbidity rates, and lead to better health. They can also prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Although there are risks associated with every contraceptive method, these risks are substantially lower than those associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Family planning can also reduce the health risks associated with closely-spaced pregnancies, high risk childbirth and with dangerous abortions.
• Ambohimahamasina has been host to three TBA trainings, two in 1999 and one in August 2001. Although these trainings covered family planning, an evaluation of the programme found that many TBAs feel ill-equipped to respond to all villagers concerns and queries on this subject. Suspicion of family planning is so entrenched in rural society that it is a major task trying to change people's attitudes. Both TBAs and villagers expressed the great need they saw for training sessions on family planning, insisting that these should occur at the village level in order to reach the most people possible, and especially those unable or unmotivated to go to central Ambohimahamasina.

Programme details
The Community Reproductive Health & Family Planning Training Programme:

• Worked with trained TBAs to organise community training sessions in every village in the commune, training lasting a day and targeting groups of around 20 people. Four or five training sessions were carried out every week. Since project fieldworkers often stayed in villagers' houses, informal discussion on health issues was also promoted outside of allocated training time.
• Targeted various community groups, with a special emphasis on:
  • men, who often prevent their wives from using contraceptives, believing them to effect a woman's ability to work and to give birth later on. Once educated about the side effects of contraceptives and informed of the role they can play in family planning, men are generally more receptive to the idea. Married men are especially attracted to family planning once its economic advantages are explained. Both single men and the numerous men who indulge in extra-marital sexual relationships are taught about the risk of the spread of STIs.
  • adolescents, in order to counteract the high rate of teenage pregnancy. Many teenagers, especially those who have never studied, are ignorant about the reproductive system and how to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The school curriculum also does not cover this topic in detail.
• Was based on four main components:
  • Reproductive health of adolescents and adults.
  • Safe motherhood.
  • Sexually transmitted infections and HIV / AIDS.
  • Family planning (natural and modern methods).
• Provided villagers with printed hand-outs and leaflets about the human reproductive system and family planning methods, as well as sample condoms.
• Supported the training with video showings on the subject of family planning and reproductive health.
• Trained school pupils, both primary and secondary, as well as local council staff and advisors.

Training was of an informal nature, using role plays and visual aids, and promoting discussion and debate. The strong cultural basis of trainings made people question some of the more negative social trends (including rising teenage and unplanned pregnancies, and lack of preparation for a new baby), whilst breaking down some of the strong societal taboos concerning sex.

Programme objectives:

• An improvement in female reproductive health - a reduction in sexually transmitted diseases, greater spacing between pregnancies, reduction in fatigue, women delaying starting a family until later, etc.
• The reduction of maternal and child morbidity and mortality.
• Economically, an improvement in household finances, with people being better able to support their family
• Reduced pressure on natural resources leading from smaller family size and greater sustainability.
• Capacity building of TBAs, working towards the possibility of training them to become community providers of family planning methods.
• Greater awareness of reproductive health and family planning methods, as well as of health in general.
• Improved communication within marriage concerning family planning, a greater openness between couples.

Success:

Almost all villages requested that follow-up training sessions be held, and enormous interest has been generated in the subject of reproductive health. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) were very active in promoting the programme in their villages, working closely with project staff, and have benefited from additional knowledge passed on to them.

The enormity of problems experienced by villagers can be seen through the numbers of people that came to consult the project doctor on a daily basis; the majority having participated in a training and, having sensitive issues dealt with in such a matter-of-fact way, felt able to talk to the doctor without embarrassment. Others only discovered that they have a problem, or discovered the seriousness of their problem, during the training. The number of people who came to consult the project doctor, free of charge, for a more thorough and personal approach than at the hospital, prompted commune officials and villagers alike to request the establishment of a Feedback clinic in Ambohimahamasina!

Additional awareness-raising activities:

• Organisation of a Doctor's " Conference - Debate " in Ambohimahamasina in collaboration with other organisations working in the commune and the local authorities.
• Feedback joined up with Population Services International (PSI) Madagascar to bring the 'Cinemobile' to four different villages in the commune of Ambohimahamasina. Huge crowds were attracted to these large-screen projections, held both open-air and indoors, which covered subjects including AIDS (promoting condom use), malaria (promoting mosquito nets) and the prevention of diarrhoea (promoting water sterilisation). The interactive nature of the sessions gave people a chance to win T-shirts, baseball caps and pens.
• Video projections, using our electrical generator for power, in many different villages in the commune. Videos backed up subjects covered in the training sessions, and messages were reinforced by the Feedback doctor's explanations, and additional discussion. These projections arose peoples' interest enormously, and in most cases the session was followed by a public dance. Attracting people of all ages, video is a new distraction which we have found to be highly effective in transmitting important messages. Feedback will be receiving additional video projection equipment in 2003, allowing us to use big-screen cinema rather than a television set, whilst greatly improving sound quality, so as to reach larger audiences.
• The Feedback festival, marking the end of the training programme in Ambohimahamasina, was organised at the remote Antandindo health centre. This was organised in collaboration with the commune's trained TBAs, who prepared awareness-raising sketches covering breastfeeding, prenatal consultations, high-risk pregnancies, and postnatal consultations. This was also an opportunity to capitalise on what knowledge people have gained during training, through talks on different subjects and cultural displays; theatre, health songs, prize-winning health quiz, and a disco to finish. Important health messages were also conveyed through the use of banners, slogans on party hats, and speeches.

Extension of Project:

After an evaluation of this training programme in Ambohimahamasina, our reproductive health work continues across the rainforest corridor with the Tanala people of Ambolomadinika. They are extremely isolated both socially and geographically, with some of the worst social and health development statistics in Madagascar, and particularly high rates of forest destruction. Please see the current projects section for more information.

Feedback Madagascar and Ny Tanintsika also hope to expand this community reproductive health training programme to other communes in the Fianarantsoa region.