It was an experience that left a profound mark, both personally and professionally.
Madagascar is a land of contrasts, where the beauty of nature is intertwined with the simplicity — and, at times, the harshness — of everyday life. The kindness of the people and the smiles of the children welcomed me and accompanied me throughout my journey.
Living here has taught me to adapt, to slow down, to observe and listen more. I have learned to do without the superfluous, to manage the unexpected, and above all to recognize the value of small daily gestures. The difficulties were not lacking: the language barrier, the cultural differences, the health and logistical challenges. And yet, every obstacle has turned into a valuable lesson.
Talking about my journey at Ampefy also means telling what, with and thanks to Change, we built. Together with the hospital staff and, above all, with the direct involvement of families, we have laid the foundations of a rehabilitation service. We have created spaces for reception, listening, therapy and play, where every child could feel seen, welcomed and valued. Where disability was not a limit, but a starting point for building autonomy, dignity and future.
The first months were dedicated to listening, to dialogue with families, local authorities and local professionals. Right from the start, the total absence of services dedicated to children with disabilities, as well as the urgent need for awareness and training, emerged clearly. The challenge was great, but so was the motivation. We started with glances full of curiosity and a silence that, little by little, turned into laughter, sounds, movement.
The motivation of the parents, the curiosity of the young patients and the support of the hospital staff and the local community have allowed the Center to become a concrete place of possibility.
The difficulties were not lacking: the lack of materials, the prejudices that are still rooted towards disability, the complexity of some clinical pictures and the limited knowledge of the rural population in this area. But every obstacle has been tackled together, with patience and determination. And today we can look with pride at the small and great goals achieved: the first steps of a child who could not walk, the first words of those who did not speak, the smile of a mother who returns to hope.
During this year I was able to get to know the Malagasy culture up close, participate in local traditions, establish authentic ties with the community. Every interaction, whether related to work or to simple everyday life, has been a precious source of personal enrichment. In a society where time seems to have a different rhythm, I have rediscovered the importance of human relationships, of authentic presence, of gratitude for what one has.
Concluding this experience does not mean closing one chapter, but opening another. The Center will continue to grow with the people who live there today, manage it and make it alive every day. I carry with me the privilege of having been part of this story from the very first brick, and the promise — silent but profound — to never forget everything that this place has taught me: to see the extraordinary strength hidden in fragility.
I return to Italy with much more than simple memories: I bring with me new values, new awareness and a wider vision of the world. Madagascar tested me, welcomed me, and in a certain sense, changed me. It was not just a destination, but a real transformation.
A year ago I left with a dream. Today that dream has taken shape, and it walks on the legs — small but determined — of the children who are its real protagonists. Their faces will forever be my point of reference.
%20(1)%20(2).jpg)
