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A New Program for 2025

A New Program for 2025

Fighting Malnutrition to Keep Children in School
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By Julien Connault
On-site Program Manager
Mar 04, 2025
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At Elevatus Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a fair chance at a brighter future. However, in Madagascar, that vision is often challenged by harsh realities: nearly half of the children suffer from malnutrition, and while 95% of them start primary school, only a third continue beyond that. To address this urgent issue, we launched a new program at the start of 2025, focused on providing both nourishment and hope to children in our community.

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Madam Clotilde, the primary school principal, working with Nanouh to identify malnourished children in her school

Identifying the Need

In January, we screened 20 children living near our Youth Center to assess their nutritional status. Our goal was to identify those who were undernourished or at risk of malnutrition and to take immediate action to support them. The results confirmed what we feared: many of these children were not receiving the nutrients they needed to thrive physically or mentally.

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We use two sets of rotating lunch boxes for more efficiency

Starting this year, we began distributing healthy meals to these children every school day. This initiative is not just about providing food; it is about creating a foundation for their education and long-term well-being. Proper nutrition is essential for concentration, learning, and growth, and without it, children face significant challenges in staying in school and succeeding academically.

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A Preventive Approach

Our rationale for this program is simple yet powerful: preventing children from dropping out is far more effective than trying to bring them back once they have left school. Reintegrating children who have dropped out often proves to be a daunting task. They face gaps in their education, a loss of confidence, and the pressure to contribute financially to their families. By providing nutritious meals to children who are still in school, we aim to address one of the main reasons they leave—hunger and the inability to focus in class.

By starting this support early, we can help keep these children in school, improve their chances of academic success, and ultimately break the cycle of poverty that makes them vulnerable to child labor and trafficking—issues that Elevatus Foundation has been fighting against since its inception.

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Solomanampy preparing the meals

The Heart Behind the Meals: Meet Solomanampy

This program would not be possible without the dedication of Solomanampy, our cook, whose kindness and commitment bring this initiative to life. Despite his age, Solomanampy prepares nutritious meals at his home and then rides his bike several kilometers to deliver them to the primary school every day. His efforts ensure that these children not only receive a warm meal but also feel the care and encouragement that come with it.

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Solomanampy delivering food on his bike

Ongoing Support and Monitoring

This is just the beginning. We will continue to monitor the progress of these children closely, assessing both their nutritional status and their school performance. Our goal is to expand this program to reach more children in the coming months, providing not only meals but also health education and support for their families.

Our work would not be possible without the support of our donors and partners. With your help, we can ensure that more children receive the nourishment they need to thrive in school and in life.

Together, we can build a future where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and fulfill their potential.

The Elevatus Team

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