Health In Harmony’s Madagascar Donor Trip 2024
Visiting Health In Harmony’s programs in Madagascar with current and former board members and donors was truly uplifting. Witnessing the profound impact of community-led solutions to the climate crisis highlighted how vital each contribution is. Your support goes beyond donations; it’s a shared commitment to a healthier planet and thriving communities. Thank you for being a crucial part of this transformative journey!
— Sarata Kaba, Senior Partnerships Director, Global
Witnessing the power of local leadership, fostering authentic connections, and learning about nature-based climate solutions and climate resilience strategies first–hand. These were just some of the takeaways from Health In Harmony (HIH)’s recent trip to Madagascar, during which Malagasy partner communities generously welcomed HIH donors and board members into their communities to observe the tangible impacts of their contributions.
These communities are the architects of the solutions to both environmental and social challenges. By centering and supporting their knowledge and leadership, Health in Harmony is working to dismantle the harmful, colonial narratives that have long depicted Global South communities as helpless in the face of crises imposed upon them.
Below, a round-up of the trip.
A Commitment to True Partnership
In honor of exchange and reciprocity, the trip was a learning and sharing opportunity for supporters to better understand and witness how their contributions are amplifying the wisdom and solutions that already exist within community-led initiatives.
This trip allowed HIH’s team to engage in dialogue with the communities and donors about future directions. The ideas shared were not about HIH dictating the path forward but about supporting the strategies already being developed and put into action by those who live in geographic regions that are at the forefront of the fallout of the climate crisis.
The group of travelers had the chance to experience firsthand the incredible impact of community-led conservation and health initiatives. Starting in Analameloka, they visited fish farming and beekeeping projects that are providing sustainable livelihoods for locals. They attended a farm school training in Mahatsinjo, saw a mobile clinic in action in Madiorano, and explored nurseries and reforestation sites in Namohora and Manararano. The group also met inspiring women leaders, including Madame Fanja, a former logger turned founder of the Women’s Association in Anivorano. She first started the association in 2020 to address the gaps she noticed in maternal and infant healthcare in her community. Mme Fanja quickly realized that her association had the potential to do so much more. After this they visited a primary school in Anivorano and the journey wrapped up with a tour of Ranomafana Park, where the group encountered local biodiversity such as lemurs and other unique species.
Bold Outcomes, Built Together
The trip underscored a critical truth: effective climate action requires a shift in power dynamics. It requires donors, board members, and allies, to embrace a model of solidarity and support. It’s about ensuring that the voices of those most impacted by climate change are the ones shaping the responses to it.
Your support is not just a financial contribution—it’s an act of decolonial solidarity. It helps amplify the agency of those who have been historically marginalized, ensuring that they have the resources to continue leading in ways that benefit their communities and the world.
The Health In Harmony Global team is filled with gratitude for the continued commitment from its supporters. Together, we are moving away from a model of charity and toward a model of justice – one that centers Indigenous leadership and community-driven solutions as the cornerstone of both environmental and social transformation.
Our supporters stand with us and rainforest communities for justice, equity, and the planet.