6/12/2019 Margot Lootens
A Big Community Project for 2020
We are excited to announce that we will be collaborating with Sunrise Madagascar to construct and develop the first ever disability centre on Nosy Be! Our MRCI Community Development Volunteers will be actively involved in the construction process, working together with local craftsmen.
Two years ago, Nathan Stapley came up with the idea to build the Nosy Be Disability Centre. After developing the idea further with Gisèle, a retired senior researcher at CNRO on Nosy Be, and Lalaine who has experience in working with people with disabilities, they got in touch with David, the owner of our organization. Immediately, he was convinced that this project was worthy of our support. Nathan, Gisèle, Lalaine and David decided to work out as to what extend MRCI could support the project. This resulted in the current collaboration where MRCI will be responsible for acquiring suitable land and the construction of the building. In return, a local NGO named Sunrise Madagascar was set up to operate the disability centre. On 22 November 2019, the agreement between Sunrise Madagascar and MRCI was signed.
Over the past months we have collected all donations, profits from our merchandise, tuck & drinks monies, washing and weekend trips to be able to buy a suitable plot of land for the construction of the Nosy Be Disability Centre. Apart from acquiring the land, MRCI will also pay the architect and professional constructors and will provide all material for the construction of the building. Furthermore, the construction of the disability centre will be the biggest project for our Community Development Program.
As mentioned before, Sunrise Madagascar will be responsible for the operation of the Nosy Be Disability Centre once it up and running. MRCI volunteers with relevant experience might get the chance to work with the children at the centre as well. The Nosy Be Disability Centre will work with disabled children and their families, educating and offering assistance on how to live with disabilities in an unadapted environment like Nosy Be. We are confident that this project will make a tremendous impact on the children and their families and will open a window of opportunity to a brighter future for them all!
Stay tuned for our next post to hear about Nathan’s and Gisèle’s story behind this beautiful initiative. Follow MRCI and Sunrise Madagascar to keep updated on the Nosy Be Disability Centre!
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