A Mother’s Courage in Southern Madagascar
A Mother’s Courage in Southern Madagascar
In the heart of southern Madagascar, where the land is dry and life is often arduous, lives a resilient woman named Francine. She and her husband, who has a disability, are the devoted parents of four energetic boys. A farmer, Francine grows sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkin, and supplements her income by selling water—a precious commodity in this arid region.
But in recent years, drought and locust invasions destroyed her crops, and the situation quickly became critical. Hunger set in, severely affecting the family’s health and well-being. “My son Francio was very weak, suffering from acute malnutrition. He was extremely fatigued. At that time, we had nothing to prepare for lunch and had gone without food,” says Francine.
It was in this difficult context that World Renew, compelled by God’s call for justice and mercy, intervened to offer emergency aid in partnership with Canadian Foodgrains Bank and SAF/FJKM, the humanitarian arm of Madagascar’s main reformed church denomination. Francine’s family was one of many that received food assistance through this program. “We received 60 kilograms [about 132 pounds] of rice, two liters [about two quarts] of oil, and nine kilograms [about 19 pounds] of beans,” she says.
Francine felt overwhelmed with relief. This support was more than just a food basket: It was a lifeline of hope. With this assistance, her children returned to school, properly nourished and better able to concentrate.
“The arrival of the rice changed everything,” Francine shares. “Thanks to this, we were able to eat our fill, from breakfast to dinner. Today, my children can continue their education. We are gradually regaining our strength.”
As the family’s health improved, their faith in God’s love and abundance grew. For Francine and her children, every shared meal is now one more step toward a better future. “Resilience is not about going back to how things were,” she says. “It’s about moving forward despite everything.”
In the heart of southern Madagascar, where the land is dry and life is often arduous, lives a resilient woman named Francine. She and her husband, who has a disability, are the devoted parents of four energetic boys. A farmer, Francine grows sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkin, and supplements her income by selling water—a precious commodity in this arid region.
But in recent years, drought and locust invasions destroyed her crops, and the situation quickly became critical. Hunger set in, severely affecting the family’s health and well-being. “My son Francio was very weak, suffering from acute malnutrition. He was extremely fatigued. At that time, we had nothing to prepare for lunch and had gone without food,” says Francine.
It was in this difficult context that World Renew, compelled by God’s call for justice and mercy, intervened to offer emergency aid in partnership with Canadian Foodgrains Bank and SAF/FJKM, the humanitarian arm of Madagascar’s main reformed church denomination. Francine’s family was one of many that received food assistance through this program. “We received 60 kilograms [about 132 pounds] of rice, two liters [about two quarts] of oil, and nine kilograms [about 19 pounds] of beans,” she says.
Francine felt overwhelmed with relief. This support was more than just a food basket: It was a lifeline of hope. With this assistance, her children returned to school, properly nourished and better able to concentrate.
“The arrival of the rice changed everything,” Francine shares. “Thanks to this, we were able to eat our fill, from breakfast to dinner. Today, my children can continue their education. We are gradually regaining our strength.”
As the family’s health improved, their faith in God’s love and abundance grew. For Francine and her children, every shared meal is now one more step toward a better future. “Resilience is not about going back to how things were,” she says. “It’s about moving forward despite everything.”
