Madagascar
We strengthen Madagascar’s school communities by delivering daily nutritious meals, enhancing literacy, and building sustainable systems that support children’s health, learning, and long-term success.
Across Madagascar, drought and poverty are straining families and schools, leaving children especially vulnerable. More than 75% of the population lives below the poverty line, with rural communities particularly affected. In the southern region, four consecutive years of severe drought have triggered widespread food insecurity and chronic malnutrition. Nearly 40% of children under five experience stunting, putting their growth, learning, and long-term development at risk.
Global Communities is working to change this through an integrated school feeding project that tackles both hunger and education. By providing nutritious meals each school day, we help children grow stronger, stay healthy, and focus in class. Our approach adapts to the unique needs of each school and community, leading to higher enrollment, better attendance, improved learning outcomes, and preschool and primary students who are well-nourished.
Working closely with the Government of Madagascar, schools, and local communities, we extend our impact beyond meals. Our project improves children’s health by supporting clean water, safe latrines, and good hygiene practices in schools. We also work with schools and communities to ensure they have the skills and resources to sustain these efforts. Every meal served and every safe, supportive learning environment brings Madagascar’s children closer to a healthier, more secure future.
Current Program
Mianatra: From Full Plates to Full Potential
With funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, Global Communities is leading a dynamic partnership with Catholic Relief Services and FHI 360 to carry out the first McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition project in Madagascar. This five-year project, known as Mianatra (“Learn” in Malagasy), works closely with the Government of Madagascar and local communities to improve children’s education and give them a healthier start in life.
Every school day, Mianatra provides nutritious meals to about 51,760 preschool and primary students across 150 schools. By combining U.S.-donated commodities with locally sourced food, these meals fight hunger, help children focus, and encourage more families to send their children — especially girls — to school.
To improve literacy, Mianatra supplies schools with books and teaching materials, sets up libraries, and trains teachers and school leaders. Parents are also connected to community savings and lending groups that give them added stability and make it easier to support their children’s education.
The project is also making schools healthier places to learn. Students are taught simple, healthy eating and hygiene habits, while new latrines, handwashing stations, and water points create safe, clean environments for every child.
To ensure lasting impact, Mianatra is working closely with the Government of Madagascar, schools, and communities to expand the National School Feeding program and build a model that communities can sustain for years to come.
Impact
6.65 million
school meals served, fueling students to grow, stay healthy, and succeed in class
412
educational facilities improved with kitchens, reliable water sources, and safe latrines
4,020
metric tons of U.S.-donated commodities delivered to fight hunger
Resources
News
How One Community School is Raising the Bar in Southern Madagascar
Passing Madagascar’s national primary school exit exam (CEPE) is a major milestone for students across the country. For 13-year-old Yves Rosalin, it became a point of pride for his entire community. His high score earned him the title of laureate award winner, distinguishing him as the top student in Beloha district. Yves Rosalin’s achievement reflects…
Five Reasons Why School Meals Matter
School meals are more than just a plate of food; they are the cornerstone of nurturing the next generation in places around the world where children face hunger. That’s why Global Communities is proud to implement integrated school feeding projects that help deliver essential nutrition, education and health services to over 435,000 pre- and primary…
Promoting Bilingual Education in Multicultural Societies to Enhance Student Literacy
By Leonel Arguello, Director of Integrated School Feeding Programs As a Nicaraguan, I grew up in a multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual country with a large Indigenous population. English and French were the mandatory languages in public and private schools during my school years. Sadly, we were never taught our Indigenous languages, not even simple phrases…