🌍Feon’ny Zaza Podcast

What Is Feon’ny Zaza?

Feon’ny Zaza, means “Children’s Voices” in Malagasy. It is a podcast produced by Terre des Hommes Netherlands that places children’s voices, rights, and lived realities at the centre.

Each episode explores a key theme affecting children from digital safety and child labour to education, leadership, and child participation. The podcast combines on-the-ground storytelling, expert commentary, and child-led perspectives to encourage dialogue, reflection, and action.

In a world where children’s voices are often overlooked or silenced, Feon’ny Zaza is a space to listen to what children feel, fear, dream, and demand. Because lasting change starts with hearing them first.

Episode 1: Amplifying Children´s Voices – With Raphael Kariuki

A powerful conversation on child exploitation, child protection, leadership, and listening to children from Terre des Hommes Netherlands’ Africa Regional Director.

“Children are not just beneficiaries of our work—they are the experts in their own lives. Our responsibility is to listen, create space, and act with them, not for them.”

— — Raphael Kariuki, Africa Regional Director, Terre des Hommes Netherlands

What the First Episode Is All About

In this opening episode of Feon’ny Zaza, we sit down with Raphael Kariuki, Africa Regional Director of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, for an honest and compelling discussion on child protection across the continent.

Raphael shares his personal journey into child rights work and reflects on what drives the mission, vision, and work of Terre des Hommes Netherlands. With decades of experience in advocacy, programme leadership, and community-based approaches, he shares the organisation’s thematic programmes and how we aim to be a catalyst for systemic change to stop child exploitation.

This episode goes beyond general awareness and dives into the root causes of exploitation, the power of community engagement, and the value of partnerships in bringing systemic change. Raphael also shares impactful field stories including the heart-wrenching ordeal from the mica mines of Madagascar where children as young as four are forced into child labour.

Tune in to Episode 1 of Feon’ny Zaza and join the journey toward a world where children are protected from all forms of exploitation, heard, respected, and empowered.

🎧 Listen to the first Feon’ny Zaza Podcast episode.

📅 Nelson Mandela Day: It’s in Your Hands

This podcast has been officially launched on Nelson Mandela Day, a global day of action and solidarity. Just as Mandela called on all of us to uplift the most vulnerable, Feon’ny Zaza calls on us to listen to those most affected children and take meaningful action to protect their rights. 

In line with this year’s theme, “It’s in Your Hands,” the podcast reminds us that each of us has a role to play in building a safer, more just world for every child, free from all forms of exploitation.