Children are at risk
Children and young people are among the most vulnerable groups in Madagascar. Almost 9 million children in the country live in poverty, especially in the rural areas. Many of them do not get the necessary quantity or kind of food that they need to grow into healthy adults. Furthermore, as families struggle to make a living, many children drop out of school, as they often need to work. Young girls tend to be particularly unprotected, as a considerable proportion of girls are married before the age of 18, which often marks the end of their formal education.
92%
Of Madagascans live in poverty
Widespread poverty
Madagascar has been facing social and economic challenges for years. The population is growing rapidly, while per capita income is stagnating and poverty is on the rise.
Around 92% of people in Madagascar live in poverty. As a direct result of the dire economic situation, many families do not have access to basic housing, sanitation facilities or clean drinking water.
2M
Children under 5 are not growing properly
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a widespread problem in Madagascar, as inconsistent weather conditions destroy crops and many people living in poverty are unable to provide their families with plenty of nutritious food.
Around two million Malagasy children under the age of 5 are affected by malnutrition and are not growing healthily. This often has a permanent impact on their physical growth and intellectual development.
1 in 3
Children completes primary school
Access to education
Although the number of Malagasy children in education has increased over the past years, more than 900 000 do not go to school. Furthermore, only 1 in 3 children completes primary school, meaning that very few have minimum competencies in reading and maths. Many of these children do not attend school or drop out for economic reasons, because they have to work and contribute to the family income. Almost a quarter of children under 18 are working, often in exploitative and dangerous conditions.
Together we can make a difference for children in Madagascar
Are supported in the community
Learn at our kindergarten
Are supported on their way to independence
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The slide is also a favourite spot. Here children swap stories about their favorite scenes in the cartoons they’ve watched. At SOS Children’s Villages, we work to ensure that siblings can grow up together whenever it is possible and in their best interest (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Madagascar).
Working together for sustainable development
In 2015, leaders from 193 countries committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 15 year plan aims to improve the lives of people by ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the planet.
GOAL 1: End poverty
SOS Children’s Villages supports families and communities to keep families together and to help them break out of the cycle of poverty.
GOAL 4: Ensure quality education for all
Every child and young person SOS Children’s Villages supports has access to education, from kindergarten right up to vocational training or university.
GOAL 8: Equal job opportunities for all
SOS Children’s Villages supports young people in developing the skills and self-confidence they need to find decent work and trains parents so that they can have a stable income.
GOAL 10: Reduce inequalities
SOS Children’s Villages works to keep children safe, by promoting peaceful and inclusive communities. We provide training on children’s rights and positive parenting.
GOAL 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
We advocate laws and practices that ensure social inclusion and protection for children and young people without parental care or from marginalized households.
Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!
Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives