"To Help is to Beautify Our Spiritual Essence"

PROJET HOAVY

Madagascar

Last updated on July 19, 2024

Projet Hoavy

Last updated on July 19, 2024

Mizarasoa: A surge of solidarity to educate and nourish hope in Madagascar

Birth of a vision: From gratitude to collective action in Switzerland and Madagascar

Birth of a vision: From gratitude to collective action in Switzerland and Madagascar

Landy and Tiavina Niaritsiry, originally from Madagascar and now residing in Switzerland with the support of their relatives, founded the Mizarasoa Association to spread joy and help children in the poor neighborhoods of Antananarivo. Their mission is to facilitate access to education, health, and food for these children. They also support community projects, such as the installation of a water pump for 235 families. The Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation, recognizing the importance of this mission, supports the association by expanding its educational programs and creating a craft workshop for the professional integration of young people. Elisabeth Dufour has personally supported Mizarasoa for over 15 years through her association OMCM, sponsoring several children.

Turning water into a source of Life: The "Pump Project" that revitalizes communities

The association is also committed to supporting transformative community projects, such as the initiative of a "pump project" that has changed the lives of 235 families by providing them with access to clean drinking water, demonstrating the profound impact of their commitment on the well-being of Malagasy communities.

The commitment of the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation: Broadening the horizons of young malagasy

The Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation recognizes the vital importance of its mission and is committed to supporting the Mizarasoa Association in its expansion. Their support aims to integrate a greater number of children and adolescents into educational programs, thereby creating enriching learning opportunities. Moreover, the establishment of a craft workshop offers young people essential practical training for successful professional integration. These joint initiatives reflect a dynamic and humanistic approach, centered on empowerment and the spread of happiness. Elisabeth Dufour, the president, has personally supported the Mizarasoa association for over 15 years through her OMCM association, having personally sponsored about ten children.

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Our Humanitarian Journey to Madagascar

Our Humanitarian Journey to Madagascar

Chronicle of Seven Days of Commitment and Hope

Introduction

Our humanitarian mission to Madagascar, led by myself, Élisabeth Dufour, co-founder and president of the Philippe & Élisabeth Dufour Foundation, and Maricela Lancoud, vice-president of the foundation, accompanied by Mr. Tiavina, president of the Mizarazoa association and a resident of the valley, began in the calm of the Vallée de Joux at 3 a.m. Between excitement and nervousness, we headed to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport before flying to Antananarivo. Arriving at 11 p.m., tired but driven by our mission, we were ready to face the challenges and offer our support.

Day 1: Local Immersion

Our first day was a poignant immersion into the daily lives of the most vulnerable. We discovered with deep emotion the reality of the washerwomen, a profession thought to have disappeared, and shared unforgettable moments with the children, the first victims of this poverty. Before parting ways, we chanted together 'HOAVY, HOAVY, HOAVY,' meaning 'future' in Malagasy, a symbol of our humanitarian mission.

Day 2: Meeting with Mizarazoa Association

On the second day, we met with the Mizarazoa association, which I have been sponsoring for nearly 15 years. The celebration held in our honor and the radiant smiles of the children and volunteers reflected the generosity and resilience of this community. This meeting renewed our commitment to their efforts in promoting health, education, and the well-being of street children.

Day 3: Visit to the Vocational and Arts School of the Gazela Association

The visit to the Vocational and Arts School, in collaboration with Mizarazoa, was a source of inspiration. This space gives children the opportunity to pursue their dreams, whether artistic or professional, through structured and caring support.

Day 4: Gift Giving and Closing Celebration

The distribution of gifts to the children of Mizarazoa was a moment of rare intensity. The bursts of laughter and the joy in their eyes left a deep mark on our hearts. The closing celebration strengthened our commitment to these initiatives, while we were already envisioning future opportunities to support these projects.

Day 5: Exploration of Impoverished Areas

This day was the most challenging. Visiting a market of misery confronted us with the extreme poverty and inhumane living conditions of many families. We spoke with locals, listening to their stories of survival and witnessing the remarkable solidarity that emerges despite their deprivation. This experience strengthened our determination to act with urgency.

Day 6: In Search of New Opportunities for Shelter

The sixth day was dedicated to exploring new opportunities to improve the care provided to children. We visited several sites that could meet the growing needs of the community. Among them were places that could be renovated or expanded, as well as land with the potential for building a new home. The goal is to create a space capable of accommodating more children while offering suitable infrastructure for their well-being and development, including the integration of craft workshops.

Day 7: Assessment and Perspectives for a Better Future

On this final day in the field, we continued our visits with a particular focus on identifying an optimal site. We assessed locations with strong potential to meet the children's needs while considering their future development. Whether through renovation, expansion, or construction on new land, these options offer promising prospects for improving the care and living conditions of the children.

These explorations will require an in-depth study to determine feasibility and priorities in the short and medium term. However, they pave the way for ambitious initiatives to strengthen the impact of our mission and offer a better future to the children of Madagascar.

Conclusion

This mission to Madagascar will remain etched in our memories as both a deeply moving and profoundly inspiring experience. We witnessed the harsh realities of life for so many children and families, but also their resilience, their hope, and their faith in a better future. These encounters reminded us that every action counts, that no gesture is too small when it comes to restoring dignity and offering opportunities to those who need them most.

While exploring places to welcome more children, whether by renovating an existing home or building a new shelter, we glimpsed the possibility of creating lasting change in their lives. These projects are not merely infrastructures; they embody a tangible hope for children who, without them, would remain deprived of support, education, and a stable environment in which to grow.

As we leave Madagascar, we return with renewed determination: to mobilize all our efforts to turn these promises into reality. The future begins here, with these children. And through solidarity, collective efforts, and sincere commitment, we believe that together, we can build a future where no child is left behind.

Elisabeth Dufour, President of the Foundation

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A DECISIVE STEP

A DECISIVE STEP

Introduction

We have taken a crucial step by identifying an ideal location and a perfectly suited building to accommodate approximately 200 children, as well as the women volunteers who support them with love, care, and dedication. These women effectively provide lessons, education, and daily well-being for the children.

This newly constructed building is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure: comfortable dormitories, modern sanitary facilities tailored to the children's needs, a professional kitchen, accommodations for the supervisory staff, as well as classrooms for primary and secondary education. Moreover, the site includes a potable water well, a major advantage that spares the long journeys often required to fetch water in this region.

One of the major advantages of this building is its potential for expansion, allowing for future developments to accommodate the evolving needs of the project.

A Remarkable Act of Solidarity

The current owner, planning to move abroad, was particularly moved by the humanistic approach of the Foundation through the Mizarazoa association, dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children. Driven by a genuine desire to contribute to the success of this project, he offered a highly preferential price for the sale of the building. This act of solidarity deeply touched us and strengthened our resolve.

Essential Vigilance

Although the budget for this purchase was unanimously approved by the Foundation's Board, the finalization of the acquisition remains pending. Madagascar, like many countries facing structural challenges, presents a complex administrative environment often characterized by lengthy and unpredictable procedures. For instance, certain local or notarial authorities may request additional documents or impose extended timelines for the validation of official records, leading to delays that we must anticipate and monitor closely.

As a Foundation, we have a moral and ethical duty to ensure that every franc allocated to this project is used with the utmost transparency and efficiency, thereby guaranteeing that the resources directly benefit the cause we support.

The Power of Perseverance

We are working tirelessly to overcome these obstacles and ensure the completion of this purchase under the best possible conditions. Patience, vigilance, and perseverance are the guiding principles of our efforts. We remain confident in our ability to find a sustainable solution and bring this essential project to fruition for the well-being and future of these children.

Mr. Tiavina and his wife Landys, founders of the Mizarazoa association, personally traveled to Madagascar in November to represent the Foundation in addressing these issues. During this trip, they also advanced the Gazela project, which is closely linked to the Hoavy project, as it provides follow-up support to ensure a professional future for children leaving the Mizarazoa structure.

This building represents far more than just a physical structure: it symbolizes a refuge, an opportunity, and renewed hope for hundreds of children and families who rely on our commitment.

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