Tsiry: “I go to school regularly now and have time to play with my friends.”

Tsiry* is eight years old. He was born in Benato-Toby, a village in Betroka District, Anosy Region, Madagascar. Today, he lives in Benato-Atsimo, with his parents and three siblings, two girls and a boy. He comes from a nuclear family of six, where both parents are present and are the main providers.

His parents, like most in rural Madagascar, depend on farming to make a living. Yet with recurring droughts, insecurity, and few other opportunities in their community, the children have had to step in to help sustain the family taking part in farm work and, at times, in mica mining.

The family shares a one-room house where they all sleep on the floor. A small kitchen is attached to the house. Since they live as a community, the children play together in a common playground. However, there are no latrine facilities, and water must be fetched from the village river, which is far from their home.

Life Growing up in the Village

Before joining the FAMAHA 2 project, Tsiry’s life was filled with doing household chores and farming. “I would first have my breakfast and then wash myself up. I would not go to the mica mines but stay home to do house chores or go to the farming field to support. I would not go to school either,” he recalled.

Meals were simple and limited: rice and cassava with greens for breakfast, and dry rice or cassava with beans for dinner. He ate only two meals per day. To relax, he often played with a handmade slingshot, shooting birds and other small targets.

In his village, many children are drawn into mica mining to support their families. With his parents already working in the mines, Tsiry was at high risk of child labour exploitation. As he explained: “I don’t really know it there as I don’t go there.”

Identification and support  

In 2023, Terre des Hommes Netherlands and FAFAFI launched the FAMAHA 2 project in Benato-Atsimo, Ranohendry, and Antanambao. Through this intervention, every child in these three villages became project participants, including Tsiry.

The FAMAHA 2 project brought important changes to Tsiry’s life. He was enrolled in school and began participating in the Child Rights Club. He also received support through the school canteen, which provides daily meals.

To ensure these gains are sustained, community-based protection structures continue to reinforce the support children like Tsiry receive. Teachers, together with child protection committees Cellule d’Ecoute et de Veille  (CEV) and Comité Local pour la Lutte contre le Travail des Enfants (CLLTE), conduct outreach activities to raise awareness on child labour, violence, and exploitation, while encouraging education. For Tsiry, this protection is even closer to home, as his uncle and grandfather are members of the CLLTE, helping to monitor mica mines and ensure his safety.

A new daily routine

Today, Tsiry has a completely different daily routine. He goes to school every day at the village school, which is about twenty minutes from his house. After classes, he plays with his friends both at school and at home. At home, he also supports his parents with house chores like cooking and cleaning.

At school, he enjoys football, while at home, he continues to play with his slingshot. “I like to play football at school but I also like to shoot birds with my slingshot,” he shared.

Now, Tsiry does not go to the mica mines. His parents remain the sole providers, continuing with farming and mica mining, but Tsiry is now free to focus on education and childhood activities.

Tsiry is healthier, happier, and eats three meals a day, thanks in part to the school canteen. Most importantly, he has more friends to play with at school and at home.

Reflecting on the changes, Tsiry said: “I go to school regularly now and have time to play with my friends.”

For him, the assistance is vital: “It is important because it helps me to go to school and to have meals at the canteen.”

He also feels hopeful about his present life: “I’m happy to go to school.”

A brighter future

When asked about his dreams, Tsiry smiled. “I want to become a vazaha (a Malagasy word for foreigner, but also used to describe people with good jobs and money) and rich,” he explained, expressing his hope that education will open opportunities for him, just as he imagines for people who come from outside his village.

The FAMAHA 2 project, implemented by Terre des Hommes Netherlands and FAFAFI, supports children in Benato-Atsimo, Ranohendry, and Antanambao through education, household support, and child protection structures. By addressing child labour and creating safer environments, the project helps children like Tsiry build brighter futures.

*Name changed to protect the identity of the project participant. All people involved in this story gave informed consent to participate.