Health is one of the fundamental pillars of individual and collective well-being. It is not only essential for every person to live a full life but also a powerful lever for community development. With this in mind, the RISE Project, initiated by YMCA Madagascar, places youth health at the heart of its priorities.
As part of the official launch of the project, a first health awareness session was held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the YPS Vatofotsy Antsirabe. Led by the Y-Health Club, the session aimed to provide under-resourced young entrepreneurs, many of whom face vulnerable living conditions, with essential knowledge about health and well-being. It created a space for them to better understand their current health status through interactive discussions and on-site medical consultations. By focusing on preventive care, the activity highlighted the importance of maintaining good health as a foundation for building and sustaining their entrepreneurial efforts. Staying healthy not only supports their day-to-day productivity but also enhances their capacity to face unexpected challenges, such as illness, that could directly affect the success of their businesses.
Partnering with Government to Strengthen GBV Response
Collaboration with local authorities is another cornerstone of sustainable development and community resilience. In line with this vision, the RISE Project has forged a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Population and Solidarity (Ministère de la Population et de la Solidarité). The Ministry has agreed to train local staff in the support and management of gender-based violence (GBV) cases and to receive referrals of GBV survivors through its own services. This alliance underscores our shared recognition that safeguarding the well-being of young entrepreneurs requires both prevention and a reliable support network.
During the inaugural health awareness session on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at YPS Vatofotsy Antsirabe, the RISE Project continued to place youth health at its core. Led by the Y-Health Club, the session guided under-resourced young entrepreneurs through interactive discussions and on-site medical consultations, ensuring they gained essential insights into:
Preventing self-medication, by encouraging prompt professional medical advice at the first sign of illness;
Identifying and addressing gender-based violence (GBV), by recognizing warning signs and knowing which emergency contacts and referral pathways to activate;
Family planning and sexual education, by presenting the full range of contraceptive options and delivering vital information on reproductive health;
Childhood vaccination, by highlighting its critical role in averting diseases that still claim around 1.5 million young lives each year worldwide.
This awareness session marks an important first step in the implementation of the RISE Project on the ground. The activity reinforced our mission: equipping vulnerable young entrepreneurs with the health foundation—and the collaborative partnerships—they need to build resilient businesses and thriving communities
It reflects our commitment to making health a right that is both accessible and tangible for young people. This initiative is only the beginning, with more actions to come that will strengthen this momentum. Together with youth and our partners, we will continue working toward a healthier, more inclusive, and forward-looking society.
Want to learn more about the RISE Project? Click here
And stay tuned for more updates on upcoming project activities !