Félistine's inspiring journey
From precariousness to empowerment
Rasoamaminia Félistine, a single mother of six, lives in the Vohipeno district, in southeastern Madagascar. For years, she had been struggling to meet the basic needs of her children such as food, health care and education.
Her story reached a turning point when she joined the FIOVANA food security program, funded by USAID Madagascar and implemented by ADRA. This project, which aimed at strengthening household food security and resilience, enabled Félistine to develop new skills and enjoy her rights, which are often inaccessible to rural women. Félistine took part in all the components of the project: health and nutrition, agriculture, livelihoods, and risk and disaster management.
Thanks to the training she received, Félistine has adopted improved farming practices. Previously, she used traditional methods of cultivation with a very low production. “Before, even with a lot of seeds, my harvests were insufficient. But with the techniques I’ve learned, my harvests are more abundant even with fewer seeds. As a result, our standard of living of has drastically changed,” she said.
Today, Félistine’s farm can ensure more than a sustainable source of food for her family. It is also a source of income that she invests in other income generating activities. One of these activities is the village savings and loan group (SLA) which she joined and enabled her to purchase a dairy cow. By continuously investing in the SLA group, she could extend her herd from one to six cows. Her milk production has flourished, averaging 10 liters a day.
In recognition of her efforts, the FIOVANA project has provided her with a refrigerator, a solar panel, and utensils for processing dairy products, thus developing her economic activity. With these new resources, Félistine can sell dairy products to the neighborhood and in the market.
Today, her success inspires her entire community, and all her children attend school, a dream that once seemed out of reach. “Before, I struggled to feed my children. Today, thanks to the FIOVANA project, not only can I provide for them, but I can also invest in their future. I’m proud to be able to share my experience with other women in my community, and I will continue to make progress even after the project ends”, she said.
Félistine’s story illustrates how access to basic rights can transform lives. Her story is a living testimony to the ability of rural women to overcome obstacles and play a key role in the development of their communities, for a fairer and more equitable future.
