Holistically Alleviating Poverty in Madagascar

Many of SEED’s projects have been expanding and entering new phases. Most notably, Project Palms has seen an increase in conservation activity, the Emergency Food Distribution (EFD) Programme has seen an encouraging increase in the use of women’s health services, and the Stitch Sainte Luce Cooperative has been working hard ahead of the Christmas season. I’m excited to fill you in on what these projects have been working on recently and their upcoming months.

Project Palms has been working to improve the six threatened species of palm tree, recently completed a population census, and are now starting to foster a nursery of new saplings for transplantation. The team is confident that there will soon be a nursery full of greenery thanks to the over 5,000 planted seeds. The embroiderers at Stitch Sainte Luce are preparing for Christmas with the production of home decor, bags and purses, and recently trialled some new tableware products. They are ensuring the Etsy shop is stocked and ready to go for the upcoming busy season.

Lastly and most urgently, SEED’s EFD Programme has entered Phase III in the South and IV in the North. In the latter, 1,418 women have already accessed advice and services with 31% of these being new users. Unfortunately famine has reached new levels that threaten the EFD Programme’s ability to fulfil the increasing need for food and health services. While hundreds of children have been able to improve their health, a lack of funding restrains the project from helping all those who need it by rationing portions. SEED is continuing to fundraise for this urgent and critical cause. As always, SEED thanks you for being a part of our projects working to improve quality of life through poverty alleviation and will continue to report our progress.