Please Note: No money raised for this cause will be used for personal expenditure. All proceeds will be utilized to buy resources for the orphanage and the children themselves.

My Story

In April 2019, I will be travelling to Madagascar, where I will be volunteering in a children's orphanage. Here, I will be working towards the prevention of poverty. This will include; taking care of children, teaching English and vocational skills, providing healthcare and family support, and also providing other basic needs to improve the quality of life for these children.

Let me tell you why...

Poverty is an ongoing issue in many parts of the world, including Madagascar. Madagascar is home to over 22 million people, over a third of whom are children. Those who tend to suffer most from the effects of poverty are children. Therefore, a high percentage of Malagasy children live in severe poverty with their basic needs being neglected. No child or person should be forced to suffer from the effects of poverty. This is something I feel passionately about, therefore the work I will be involved in during my time at the orphanage will aim to provide relief for those suffering, and improve the quality of life of each individual I work with.

Madagascar is located just off the east coast of Africa, a location prone to natural disasters which cause destruction to the countries infrastructure. Although Madagascar has the potential to become a prosperous country, such events combined with corruption, government policy, and rapid population growth, mean that poverty remains rife. The rural areas of Madagascar remain the most effected by poverty, and are characterised by isolation, food shortages, a lack of access to safe drinking water, and a lack of public services. Many Malagasy children grow up without parental care, therefore they are exposed to such poverty and account for the most deprived population group within Madagascar.

Child poverty is often characterised by begging, forced labour, and sexual exploitation, and findings show that child trafficking and exploitation ARE prevalent within Madagascar, effecting children as young as 5 years old. Children experiencing poverty also lack sufficient education, something which is essential to develop future prospects and opportunities. Although statistics suggest that enrolment into primary education is above 90%, the percentage of children that drop out of primary education is also significantly high, and many children do not complete their education. As a result, basic things that we take for granted remain absent for many Malagasy children, including a home, stability, care and affection, adequate food and safe water, education, healthcare, and much, much more!

With this in mind, orphanages are essential in providing the much needed care and meeting the basic needs of deprived children around the world. In doing this, each orphanage can provide a gateway in order to reduce child poverty, and improve the quality of life of each existing child.

As a result, every penny raised for this cause will be utilized to help provide this care.

Some examples of how the money will be spent include:

- Buying any books needed to cater for the learning needs of the children.

- Contributing towards the cost of food and water provisions for the children.

- Buying any clothing needed

- Contributing towards the upkeep of the orphanage, and any associated costs.

Every single penny donated will make a difference to this cause, and to the lives of each child I work with. This will also help to maintain the orphanage and the great standard of care that it provides for each child.

Thank you for any donations that you make!