Most folks associate Madagascar with the 2005 animated film, the island country’s natural beauty, and its endemic lemurs. Unfortunately, it is also one of the poorest countries in Africa.

I had the amazing opportunity to work in Madagascar from 2011-2014. During my sejour, I met and befriended an extraordinarily humble and hardworking taxi driver, Nana. I eventually met his wife, Mamy, and their two beautiful daughters, Marie and Narina, 8 and 6 years old (in 2014). In 2022, I returned to Madagascar for a short work trip. I contacted Nana to reconnect, but it was bittersweet. His daughters were now young women! However, I learned that Nana had sold the family’s land to send Marie to Mauritius for an internship on a wing and a prayer to find a path forward for her to continue her studies. Unfortunately, the money was nearly spent and there was no solution in sight. Her sister, Narina, was finishing up her high school degree with a dream of getting a vocational degree, but given the situation, the future was looking stark.

As a public health economist, I am keenly aware of the enormous value of investing in girls’ education. It was time for me to practice what I have preached by helping these two bright young Malagasy women pursue their dreams of a post-secondary degree.

Marie is currently finishing the second year of her business degree in Mauritius. She was just accepted to the University of Lyon, France for her third and final year. Narina graduated high school, finished first-year studies for her hospitality degree, and is completing an initial internship in Antananarivo, Madagascar. She is living at home and has two more years until her graduation.

Like many of my friends and colleagues, my life was turned upside down when I unexpectedly lost my lifelong career due to the imprudent, boorish, and destructive dismantling of US foreign assistance earlier this year.

I am now heartbroken and humbled to ask you to help Marie and Narina to finish their degrees. Despite all the uncertainty, disruption, and desperation many of us are facing, I have learned in life that giving up is not an option. I hope you can do what you can to help me help these two amazing young women advance their journey and fulfill their potential. I can assure you that any contribution you can manage, no matter how small, will change the world.

Do not hesitate to share this plea with your networks, reach out with any questions, or let me know if you would just like to connect. Thank you.

Please see below a cost breakdown.

Tuition and school-related costs: $7,300

Travel and transportation: $3,800

Shared accommodation: $8,000

Food and living expenses: $8,900

This GoFundMe project is in coordination with the non-governmental organization We Move Madagascar. We Move Madagascar envisions a thriving and united Madagascar where people are empowered to drive positive change to create a society where everyone has opportunities to grow, innovate, and contribute to development.