Our forest is as healthy today as we are!

A healthy community is a community that cares for its forest. This is the simple logic of Nirina Blaise, president of the community group that manages the forests of Maroangira, in Vondrozo district, southeast of the big island.

A healthy community is a community that cares for its forest. This is the simple logic of Nirina Blaise, president of the community group that manages the forests of Maroangira, in Vondrozo district, in the southeast of the big island.

Indeed, the communities of Maroangira have decided to build their own "rural" hospital (in the literal sense), because it is nestled in the heart of the forest.

The hospital was built thanks to an ecological monitoring contest organized by the WWF. A monitary award valued at 25 million Ariary that the community of Maroangira won hands down. This award recognizes the corridor community that has the best management of their forest, taking into account social and environmental criteria. Maroangira is among other things distinguished by the large area of restored forests, more than 145 hectares in the last twelve years.

"We built our hospital with our own hands. After the building was finished, we went to see the local medical officer of the district in Vondrozo "says Mr. Blaise. The regional health authority has recognized their efforts. They now have their own doctor, Dr. Dilban, with his complete medical equipment.

The decision to build this hospital is a community decision, said proud Mr. Blaise. "Our community organization is one of the most dynamic in the Fandriana Vondrozo Midongy Forest Corridor. We have been restoring our rainforest for almost 20 years, "claims Mr. Blaise," our forest is as healthy today as we are. "