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When seeking solutions to challenges here at SEED, we like to consider multiple perspectives. We have extended this approach to problem-solving by employing a new pair of eyes in the sky. Don't worry, no humans were harmed in the making of this project, we’re talking about drone photography! Providing an overview of the vast area of Sainte Luce, these aerial photographs are enhancing our knowledge of the threats to the area's vital mahampy reed wetlands, and teaching us how we can best protect this precious resource. Our ground-level work continues too, and this month we celebrated the women leading the way towards a fairer future for themselves, their families, and their community in the Anosy region. Paula and Myrah share their insights on female leadership, and why improved menstrual hygiene management is so important for people with periods. As we work to increase access to sanitation, we are doing the same with food security for the wider population of the Anosy region, with help from some amazing edible insects. |
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A bowl of cooked sakondry. Photo: Annelin Verkade |
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Edible insects: mini superheroes or just really great problem solvers? We say both! |
Nature offers an abundance of remedies to our problems. Oftentimes, these solutions are hiding in plain sight and at other times they may be hiding in bushes! We introduced sakondry, or ‘bacon bugs’, to you back in January and since then The Darwin Initiative-funded study has seen some encouraging results. The pilot study in Sainte Luce was the first time that sakondry farming techniques— as developed by Dr. Cortni Borgerson and team to allow the edible insects to be easily, rapidly, and cheaply cultivated in remote communities with limited infrastructure— had been tested in a coastal community. It was unknown if the plants which sakondry live on and feed off could be successfully grown here, however (drum roll, please), they're thriving! Here's a round-up of the study's exciting outcomes so far: The study has been well-received by the community with 100% of participants desiring greater access to sakondry before project commencement Despite the drought conditions in Sainte Luce, participant households now have an average of 35 plants each, the majority of which stand at around 2 metres tall 12 households already have their plants colonised with sakondry It was found that each sakondry host plant can host up to 400 bugs
These results show that sakondry has great potential to help address food insecurity in Anosy, so we're looking forward to continuing our work with these brilliant bugs! |
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Mother and daughter making reusable sanitary pads. Photo: Annelin Verkade |
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Menstrual Hygiene Management Matters. Period. |
At the centre of our International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations this year were our Project Mahampy Coordinator Paula, Myrah— a talented sewing trainer and designer— and 131 female weavers from Project Mahampy, who are all also at the forefront of our new Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) pilot project. This project seeks to address ‘period poverty’ by trialing reusable sanitary pads, training the weavers on how best to make and use them, and promoting menstruation awareness through information sessions. Excitingly, this project has recently evolved into a family activity, with many of the participants bringing their daughters along to support them on their journey to well-informed MHM. Here's to many more days spent by women empowering themselves and each other, and fewer days disrupted by periods! |
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Wetland fires in Sainte Luce, Anosy. Photo: Daniel G. Wood |
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A Flight Path to Protection |
Wetlands are vitally important to both planet and people the world over. In Sainte Luce, mahampy reed wetlands provide a livelihood to the region’s weavers, and a home to a wealth of biodiversity; the list of their resident flora and fauna would probably take you months to read! Unfortunately however, these important resources are subject to rapid degradation and loss, largely due to unsustainable human activity and arid conditions. ‘Slash and burn’ farming, known locally as Tavy, along with naturally-occurring fires continue to threaten these valuable ecological areas. To effectively safeguard these resources, we have started using aerial photographs taken by drones which will help us build maps detailing this negative environmental change, to ultimately inform future wetland management strategies. We won’t drone on for too much longer about how useful this photography is but, in terms of conservation tools, it’s definitely up there. |
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Monthly Mini Malagasy Lesson Iza ny anaranao? = What is your name? | (Your name) ny anarako = My name is (your name) |
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