2010
AMBATOVY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
39
Community Healthcare
A community health centre was built in Vohitrambato. It
is fully functional with a doctor and midwife. In May 2010,
Ambatovy financed a mass dental campaign that brought in
specialists from Toamasina University Hospital. In addition
to dental work, these specialists conducted a dental hygiene
awareness campaign with school children and distributed
toothbrushes. Moreover, thanks to training provided by
Ambatovy, 29 residents have become volunteer health
promoters, educating community members on common
illnesses, reproductive health, general hygiene, HIV/AIDS
prevention and routine vaccinations. By October 2010, 73% of
children under five had completed their vaccination schedules
on time, whereas prior to resettlement none of the children
had completed their routine vaccinations.
Education
A primary school was built in Vohitrambato while families in
Marovato were resettled a short distance from their original
local school. Prior to resettlement, school enrollment in
both villages was 33%. In 2010 enrollment reached 82%
at the new school in Vohitrambato and 100% in Marovato.
Ambatovy is progressively transferring the administration of
the Vohitrambato school to the community. By 2010, qualified
authorities had taken responsibility for teachers’ salaries and
the Project instituted a monthly bonus program to combat
teacher absenteeism. The two preschools established in
2009 have already proven successful. The director of the
Ampasimbola School, where the Marovato children attend,
noted that first graders who had completed preschool were
more attentive, curious and participative. Ambatovy also
supported adult literacy, French-language training and other
extracurricular activities at these school facilities.
Institutional Capacity-Building
In 2010, Ambatovy began working with the communities to
create villager associations, which will enable a progressive
transfer of community management to the villagers
themselves. Ambatovy has organized sporting events in the
villages, with football tournaments being the highlight. These
events gather large crowds and present opportunities to
promote key messages on topics such as eradicating violence
against women, personal hygiene and health care. A gender
empowerment program was expanded in 2010 to include both
men and women.
Promoting Entrepreneurship
Ambatovy has implemented various economic development
programs aimed at increasing commercial networks and
promoting the sale of local produce. A group of women
in Vohitrambato participated in a handicrafts training
program. Classes included sewing, embroidery, needlepoint,
basketry, production and sales. This training was aimed
at improving the quality of traditional and new handicraft
products. Since 2009, a local microfinance institution has
been conducting an education program that covered basic
financial management and entrepreneurship. The program
also taught residents how to save, invest and fulfill credit
requirements. To increase financial stability and access to
credit, Ambatovy is in the process of securing legal land
titles for all the resettled households. The first deeds are
expected to be ready in late 2011.
C3. Social Performance
