“Many people are subject to violence, marked by hunger, wounded in their dignity. Therefore, ‘the struggle for justice and participation in the world fully appears to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel’… This requires lucidity, courage, coherence, and a concern for living justice within our Congregational structures and work environments. Enlightened by the Church’s doctrine, we commit ourselves alongside others so that women and men are respected. In this action, we are called to conversion to the spirit of the Beatitudes.”
– Rule of Life, 21
This MIARADIA project is implemented by the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Assumption, established in Fianarantsoa (Madagascar), in the Sahalava neighborhood, for the past 25 years.
The MIARADIA center aims to support families in extreme poverty, experiencing multi- dimensional deprivation, to help them improve their living conditions, starting with the opportunity to find and engage in “small work,” their only means of subsistence. The fathers and mothers of these families live in the Sahalava district, a highly underprivileged area of Fianarantsoa.
Our project seeks to promote the “fulfillment of the family” in its holistic development. We are deeply convinced that everyone, even those who have fallen into extreme poverty, has the right to dream of a better future and, above all, to make it a reality.
To bring this project to life, a welcoming center was established several years ago where each person is listened to with respect for their story and dreams, which they can share freely and confidently. This is the first step in beginning to accompany them in building their project according to their gifts and abilities. Several training courses are offered to help realize their aspirations and, more broadly, raise awareness of what holistic development entails.
To maximize the success of family projects, we’ve implemented various development initiatives: selling fruits and vegetables, rearing pigs and chickens, preparing snacks for children in the tutoring program (another service offered to the families’ children), and producing “kobs aina,” a nutritious flour for malnourished children (a third project serving these same families); sewing, farming, subsistence agriculture, and more. Each person, according to their abilities, can engage in one of these projects or start new ones.
This pursuit of self-financing for families is, of course, supported by a reliable micro- credit plan, tailored to the activities and possibilities of each individual.
The following are the voices of two participants, sharing their experience with the project:
= Pascal RAMANANDRAIBE
I’m married with three children. Since February 2022, I’ve been part of the “Miara-dia” group, thanks to conversations I had with Sister Odile at the Center.
After completing the training offered by the Center, and driven by my dream of providing for my family—especially covering my children’s school fees—I chose to raise chickens. I also hope my children will take charge of their lives and become responsible adults. To realize this dream, in February 2023 I started a small poultry farm with 7 hens and 2 roosters. My goal is to have 100 chickens by the end of the year. I’m moving slowly but steadily toward this goal. I already have 60 chickens of various types. I’ve sold 6 chickens to pay for family medical care. We’ve eaten 7 during celebrations and to treat illnesses, as we believe chicken broth is a natural remedy and strengthener.
I’m very happy for your help because I can say that with your support, I’m becoming a responsible man. You’ve also restored my dignity as a responsible parent. I also want to support the Sister so the poultry farming group can thrive.
= Honorine RAVAONORO
I’ve known the Sisters since they arrived in our neighborhood. They helped and supported me and my husband with our 10 children. We used to raise pigs. I do laundry for other families. My husband has a small job to pay the rent. Due to difficulties and rising living costs, I nearly “collapsed” and felt very discouraged.
Thanks to the Miara-dia program, most of my children now have jobs; the others are still in school. Since joining Miara-dia last February, I went to Sister Odile with a dream —to build a house so we wouldn’t have to pay rent every month. She suggested I start pig farming again. At first, I hesitated, remembering past difficulties, but thanks to her help and support, I restarted the project. In early March, I began with two pigs, which I sold in November. With the profit, I repaid 25% of the money I had borrowed and continued with four more pigs. In a few months, I’ll sell them and make another profit. Right now, I feel very confident in my project.
“The traveler who toils along the way endures his labor because he hopes to arrive.
Take away his hope, and you destroy his momentum.”
— Saint Augustine, Sermon 158,8
Odile Ratiana PSA and the Community
