https://www.labcharity.org Our opinions, thoughts on current social issues across the world... Alongside some of our ideas on how to improve them. https://www.labcharity.org/waiting-on-a-call-our-madagascar-project <h3> <span> <b> <font> In 2020, we were ready, then the pandemic hit... </font> </b> </span> </h3> <div data-rss-type="text"> <div> <span> <span> In all honesty, being at the forefront of efforts to create Nosy Be's first disability centre ended up creating more stress than I could have ever imagined, I just wish I could say that it was worth it already. <br/> <br/> </span> </span> </div> <div> <span> <div> <span> When I made the promise to 20 sets of parents in August 2018, I hadn't really considered how large of a task we were taking on. Yes, we had a team of skilled potential staff, but no ability to pay them. Yes, we had the vision for a disability centre, but no building to use. Yes, we had students &amp; parents in need, but how could we make a start in supporting them? Upon realising that I would need to fundraise ALL the money for a hefty piece of land, construction materials &amp; labour, full &amp; part-time centre staffing, running/utilities costs, student welfare, transport &amp; other costs I hadn't even considered, that is when it dawned upon me, 'This process may take many years beyond our 12 month prediction'. </span> </div> <div> <span> <br/> </span> </div> <div> <span> But, in some miraculous way, we were almost on track. In August of 2019, that is when it dawned upon me 'This process may actually be achievable'. The guys at Madagascar Research &amp; Conservation Institute (MRCI) had purchased us 800m2 of fertile land &amp; committed to building the centre. Our fundraising efforts were paying off - We had got enough money to cover the running, staffing, transport &amp; student welfare costs. The other costs were covered by MRCI. </span> </div> <div> <span> <br/> </span> </div> <div> <span> We had a date, finally, in April of 2020, the centre was going to be built! But what occurred in the month prior to that, we all know. </span> </div> <div> <span> <br/> </span> </div> <div> <span> Fast forward to the date of writing this piece (19/1/22) &amp; not a single brick has been placed upon the soil where our centre shall stand. Has our motivation for the project died? Not at all. </span> </div> <div> <span> <br/> </span> </div> <div> <span> In 2018, making that promise to the students &amp; their families was a promise I would commit to for life... L.A.B will create the first disability centre on Nosy Be. This disability centre will bring free education, life skills and employment opportunities for students &amp; their families. And we will make it a success. A promise is a promise. </span> </div> <div> <span> <br/> </span> </div> <div> <span> Now, the idea of me moving to Madagascar to run this disability centre has taken its personal toll - causing relationships to end, provoking many arguments amongst my closest peers &amp; opening me up to levels of stress that I hadn't previously known possible. Maybe now, the stress doesn't quite feel worth it as I know our students in Madagascar are still being uneducated &amp; we have no conceivable way of arriving there. But, one thing I know for sure, is that the second that centre is opened, when our students have a chance at life, when their parents are free to earn a living, in that second, I will know it was all worth it. </span> </div> </span> </div> <div> <span> </span> </div> </div> <div> <img src="https://cdn.website-editor.net/s/78ffe2defb144734a89b5257444983bd/dms3rep/multi/12_20210401_193831_0001.png" alt=""/> </div> <div> <img src="https://cdn.website-editor.net/s/78ffe2defb144734a89b5257444983bd/dms3rep/multi/11_20210401_193831_0000.png" alt=""/> </div> Wed, 19 Jan 2022 11:47:19 GMT https://www.labcharity.org/waiting-on-a-call-our-madagascar-project thumbnail main image