Education
AOM provides 200 students with scholarships, school supplies and uniforms to attend private schools. Secondary students are offered trade classes or continuing education. Many of our students are first generation learners who benefit from smaller class sizes. (Public schools typically have 90 students per class) Every semester we have students in the top five of their class.
Graduating secondary students are preparing for studies in the medical fields, administration and various upper level studies. Training in the fields of carpentry, mechanical and electrical studies as well as office management are also chosen by many.
AOM provides job training for older students, parents and caregivers. Members have attended classes in business, agriculture, sewing, and baking. We offer classes to help interested parents discover, pursue and implement their own skill sets followed with leadership and entrepreneurship classes.
There are many ways to support us with a school project!
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Nutrition & Health
Lunches & Literacy Program
We provide meal stipends for school lunches to many children. The food is sourced from local markets – rice, beans, meat, as well as yogurt and greens when funds allow.
Often, the school meal and a drink of clean water is the only sustenance they’ll receive that day; this serves as an incentive for families and caretakers to send their kids to school.
Toothbrushing Program
Once a year, all the children get new toothbrushes, toothpaste and lessons on how to brush. This is an important health and nutrition program.
Medical Fund for Family and Staff
We provide healthcare assistance, including eyecare and a worming program. When possible we also fund dental care for students, families and staff. Health can help keep a family together as they strive to improve their income.
Opportunities for Parents and Caregivers
Business Start-up Program
AOM provides job training for parents so they can better provide for their families. After 6 months of training on sewing machines, attending all classes and finishing a sewing test, mothers are able to get seamstress jobs in clothing factories or the local market.
Savings Groups
AOM parent groups build income through a savings program. Our members now provide loans to members of their own co-op or pod. Each pod, consisting of approximately 10-17 families, has come up with their own savings and loan method that works for their own circumstances and association. For example, charcoal briquet production, which requires large quantities of charcoal and clay, is now a thriving business.
AOM provides low cost business funds to families after they complete job training, or present a comprehensive plan for a business. We have awarded mothers hand crank sewing machines or sets of pots, and they have started their own small businesses. Several entrepreneurs have made bricks to sell. Each successful business started means healthier and more resilient families.
Empowerment is making its way into the most forgotten corner of Madagascar!
If you think you can provide to support these programs please contact us, we would love to hear from you.
AOM English Classes
Madagascar relies heavily on tourism for revenue. A fundamental understanding of the English Language makes this a more productive, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. It also allows Malagasy business owners the opportunity to make global connections and improve their marketing capabilities.
AOM provides English Literacy classes to all age groups. This program is currently volunteer-based and relies on native English speakers traveling to Madagascar. We are working to make this program more consistent by exploring the possibilities of hiring a full-time teacher. Volunteers have delivered laptops and internet has been established that will make English language lessons more accessible and interesting.
ASA ORPHANAGE
* This project is no longer active*
ASA Orphanage is a home to 21 children from all different ages as well as the extremely friendly and hardworking staff and their families. Many of the children have been brought to the orphanage as their parents have no money to care for them or have died and there is nobody left to look after the child.
Even if there is somebody to take care of the child, in a country like Madagascar there is no help from the state for the remaining family members in accommodating this child and only few will have the income to do so. Often the only ones left to support the child are the grandparents who are too old to take proper care of a young child forcing them to send them to an orphanage.
AOM has built a water pump so that they have sufficient water for drinking and cooking, we have made repairs to floors and ceilings. Some of the older students have received English lessons that will l hopefully help them to find a job.
ASA has four handicapped children that we hope to supply with the needed medication and provide one of them with a wheelchair.
Although AOM no longer works directly with this orphanage, we do occasionally donate medical funds to pressing needs of the children. SAS was a very positive experience for AOM and we hope it exemplifies our efforts in the region.
