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Yes We Can: Inspiring Change Agents and Promoting Pre-Teen Health in Madagascar

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Vital Stats

Annika F

Burlington, VT
  • people helped500
  • People Doing It 11

The Problem

Madagascar is an island nation off the coast of Southern Africa, famous for its biodiversity, but also characterized by high rates of poverty and poor health. Youth unemployment has steadily increased since a political crisis in 2008; teenage pregnancy is high; and rates of sexually transmitted infections are increasing. While these statistics are appalling, previous projects have found that youth are committed and interested in improving their health but access to reliable information and a sense of empowerment are severely lacking. During the 2008 political crisis, the theme of “Yes We Can” – from Obama’s campaign – resonated in Malagasy youth. They were inspired by the emphasis on positive change but lacked the skills and opportunities to take action. This project will provide these skills while teaching health messages – the lack of which can hinder youths’ greater aspirations.

Plan of Action

For this proposed project, I will return to Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (where I lived for eleven years) this summer to help launch a pre-teen health and leadership project that is currently in its start up phase. This project will recruit eight young Malagasies who have experience working as peer educators. These youth will be assigned to four public middle schools in the city where they will implement, over the course of a year, fun and creative after-school activities for middle school students that integrate basic puberty, sexual health, girl’s empowerment, and leadership messages. Mid-year, each middle school will receive a $500 grant. With this grant, the middle school students and their mentors will apply their leadership skills to design and implement a civic engagement or school improvement project. There are currently no such after school programs in Malagasy middle schools; this program will fill this void while building leadership capacity and health awareness.
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Sex Education
Global Health
Global Poverty
Healthy Living
HIV and AIDS
Sexual Health
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Teen Pregnancy

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Source URL: http://www.dosomething.org/project/yes-we-can-inspiring-change-agents-and-promoting-pre-teen-health-madagascar