Our Work

Healthcare

In Madagascar, child mortality is high and many die from diseases that can be easily treated with modern medicine. Typical causes are infectious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases and malaria. The country also has one of the highest incidences of plague in the world, as well as epidemics and pandemics that have otherwise been fought in other countries. Many have a long way to the nearest clinic and/or hospital, and the costs are high. They therefore do not seek help until it is too late. Many of the children we meet on the streets often have major health challenges, and several suffer from severe malnutrition.

Education

Schooling gives children hope for the future. When children lack basic knowledge and skills, they have limited opportunities. Education helps break the cycle of poverty and is a vital tool in combating poverty. The main goal of MMF is for children to become independent adults with their own income in the future. Therefore, it is important to facilitate the success and well-being of children in school. Public schooling in Madagascar is free, but the cost of uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and notebooks is often too high for families. As a result, children are sent out to beg or work to support their families. The children we encounter on the streets have either dropped out of primary school or never had the opportunity to attend school, and they cannot read or write. To succeed in getting these children back to school, we have found it important to prepare them well. We have established a pre-school program where children practice reading and writing, and learn mathematics, Malagasy, and French before starting school. All children in MMF are now attending school or receiving other forms of education. We have a future plan for each child based on their interests. Together, we will help and support them towards their goals. Public schooling in Madagascar is half a day (about 4 hours), and the children come to MMF every day after school to practice instruments and do homework. As many parents cannot read or write themselves, we have introduced homework assistance so that children have a chance to succeed in school. We are experiencing good results with this, and several children have excelled in school. In addition to schooling and education, children also receive English lessons from us. We know that this can potentially help children secure a job in the future. Few Malagasy people speak English, so it is a great advantage for children to learn English. They can then have job opportunities such as being a guide, interpreter, or English teacher. Additionally, it is easier for children to communicate with visitors and volunteers at MMF. Some students need alternative solutions for education for various reasons, and we have some older students who attend vocational training instead of regular school. We are proud that last year we had a student who obtained a tailoring certificate. She now sews school uniforms for the other students among other things.

Living Situation

Many of the children we enroll as students in MMF live on the streets when we first meet them. The reason they live on the streets is poverty. These children are left to fend for themselves, and older children often take on the responsibility of caring for younger siblings. Life on the streets is extremely tough, and every day is a struggle for survival. During the day, children spend a lot of energy begging for money and searching for food. As night falls, it's important to find a safe place to sleep for the night. Nights can be cold and dangerous, and the children huddle together to keep warm.

Food Distribution

Despite Madagascar being known for its lush climate, the country has been affected by natural disasters and the worst drought in decades, attributed to climate change. This has resulted in crop failure, leading to food crises and famine. Parents struggle to provide enough food and clean water for their children. When families cannot feed their children, sending them out to beg becomes the only option for survival. Children living on the streets spend a lot of time and energy searching for food scraps and often have to resort to scavenging through others' garbage.

Music Lessons

Meeting basic needs is crucial, but we also recognize that children need more. They need motivation, inspiration, joy, something to aspire to, new thoughts, and a belief that something else is possible. This brings us to the essence of the project: music. Studies show that when listening to and learning new music, new brain cells and connections are created. Research also shows that music enhances memory. Parents in MMF observe that their children perform better in school after they start playing an instrument. Collaboration is also particularly valuable, teaching children to cooperate, listen to each other, and express themselves. For us at MMF, quality and professionalism are important. We collaborate with professional musicians who elevate us and take us to a new level. For some children, the instrument becomes the direction in life, bringing forth enthusiasm and joy. Some aspire to become professional musicians and pursue music as a career. Madagascar is a country with a rich musical culture. Perhaps that's why music resonates so well here. Many children have rhythm in their bodies and start dancing as soon as they can stand. Harmonious singing is part of daily life, and we see that children learn quickly. Even though not all children in MMF aim to become professional musicians, music is beneficial for the development of all children. Instruments MMF started with violins. Over time, the music school has evolved to include more instruments in addition to Malagasy folk music, dance, and singing. Currently, students have the opportunity to learn the following instruments at MMF: Violin, viola, cello, double bass, recorder, guitar, piano, flute, and clarinet. Additionally, we have dance groups, choirs, and percussion groups.

Future Goals

One of our goals is to make MMF larger and more well-known so that we can include more children living tough lives on the streets. The main goal is for all children in Antsirabe to have enough food, clothing, experience care, have a safe and good home, attend school, and have the opportunity to develop their talents. It is important for us that the assistance we provide contributes to independence. The goal is for children to attend school and develop their talents so that one day they will become assets in their own communities, find employment, and stand on their own feet. Dream of our own building We are fortunate to have acquired a large plot of land with great potential. Here, we dream of building our own music school with excellent practice rooms, a kitchen and dining hall, a small stage where we can hold concerts for visitors, and a small sewing room with an associated shop. Here, we will also be able to grow our own food used in lunch for the children in the music school. We also want the outdoor areas to be a good place for the children to play between rehearsals and homework. Goals for music education The students practice diligently, and our orchestra is starting to become sought after locally. We already receive performance requests from both the municipality and private individuals. Throughout 2024, we envision focusing even more on performances, now also with smaller ensembles and groups. Performing for others motivates the children to practice, fosters cohesion within the group, and provides valuable work experience for those children who want to pursue music. It also spreads joy in the community. We hope to eventually expand our string orchestra into a youth symphony orchestra. Some students excel on their instruments, and we want to provide them with the training they need to later become instrumental teachers either at MMF or elsewhere. Our goal is for suitable students to become future teachers. This will provide them with a secure income and make them sought after in the job market. We aim to perform concerts in several places in Madagascar and annually go on a longer trip with the students. It is wonderful and important for the students to get to know their own country and history, while also sharing our joy of music with other communities. Madagascar is an island, but most of our students have never seen the sea! We also dream of bringing a group of students to Norway for cultural exchange and further musical development.

Activities

Children growing up in poverty in Antsirabe often have significant responsibilities from a very young age. They take care of younger siblings, cook meals, and are tasked with earning money for the family through begging. Sometimes, children are also assigned physically demanding tasks such as carrying sacks of rice or pushing heavy water cans, receiving little to no pay for their work. Entrusting adults with the responsibility of caring for their own children is an important part of our work. Children should get to be children! Therefore, play is an essential part of everyday life at MMF. Many of the children have previously been part of a gang of street children where begging was the norm, and activities on the fringes of the law, such as petty theft, were common. To prevent the students from "falling back" into their former environments, it is crucial for them to make new good friends and have a timetable filled with enjoyable and meaningful activities. Birthday Celebrations At the end of each month, we celebrate all children and staff who have birthdays in that month. We have lunch together as a group, and a big birthday cake is served for everyone to enjoy a slice. This is an important day for the children who are not accustomed to celebrating their birthdays. Sewing Classes and Cooking For some of the older students, vocational training may be the right path. We have students attending tailoring classes and baking courses. The education is funded by MMF. The tailoring course lasts for two years, and upon passing the final exam, students receive a publicly recognized certificate as a tailor. This provides young people with excellent opportunities in the job market in the future. Picnics Occasionally, we go to a nearby park and have a picnic with the students. There is also plenty of space for ball games and play. These trips are essential for fostering group cohesion and making the children a close-knit group. At the same time, these outings provide a much-needed break from everyday life.

Our work