Projects
Below you will find planned and already realized projects of «Verein Nihaona» for «MadaClinics»
Current Project
Ultrasound machine for Maventibao
In the Maventibao region in north-west Madagascar, medical staff have only a limited range of technical diagnostic tools at their disposal. Together with the MadaClinics clinic, we want to improve this situation in a targeted manner – by using an ultrasound machine for more precise examinations and sustainable training on site.
Our goal is to purchase an ultrasound machine that will enable local medical professionals to make early and more precise diagnoses. In summer 2025, we will offer basic training in the use of the device and, in the long term, set up local further training by trained specialists.
How you can help us:
We need a total of CHF 3,000 to purchase and transport the device as well as accessories and training materials. Support us with a donation or become a sponsor – with various packages starting at CHF 150.
- Gold sponsors (CHF 1,500) receive visibility on the website, Instagram and directly on the device
- Silver sponsors (CHF 500) are mentioned online and receive a personal letter of thanks
- Bronze sponsors (CHF 150.-) will also be made visible online
- Free donations of any amount are very welcome!
100% of your support goes directly into the project. Transparency and regular updates are important to us.
If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring, please contact us at:
fundraising@nihaona.ch
You can find more information and donation options directly on our website.
Together we can sustainably improve medical care in Madagascar.
2024
Installation of a Solar System
Our project aimed to install sustainable solar energy for «MadaClinics». Previously, two solar panels, storage batteries and a wind turbine only enabled limited use of electrical devices. By installing a solar system, we wanted to ensure a reliable and sufficient power supply. Construction started in summer 2024 and was completed at the end of the same year.
With the previous power supply, mobile phones and laptops could be charged and the rooms illuminated. However, the clinic’s lamps were not bright enough and devices that require continuous power – such as fridges or beds – could only be operated during the day and not reliably. In future, «MadaClinics» will also need additional equipment for the laboratory and diagnostics (e.g. an ultrasound machine), which consume additional energy.
The CHF 16,000 required – which was raised through fundraising and an amount of CHF 11,000 approved by the Basel-Stadt cantonal government – was used for the materials and installation of a professional solar system. This will not only provide a stable energy supply for the clinic, but also for the school in Maventibao, which currently has hardly any electricity. For detailed information click here.
Update: November 2024
The solar system has now been completed and is ready for use! The associated technical building has been successfully built and the system is now ready to reliably supply the clinic in Maventibao with electricity. We are currently working on the final installation steps to put the solar system fully into operation
Update: December 2024
The final installation steps of the system have now also been completed and the solar system can be fully utilised. The clinic’s entire electrical infrastructure has been replaced in order to make the best possible use of the solar energy. All rooms in the clinic are now equipped with sufficient sockets and bright lamps and the beds can be adjusted electrically.
2023
Transport of Relief Supplies
With your help, we were able to make a major contribution to the interior fittings of «MadaClinics». Eric Voyame, an experienced and well-connected organizer of aid transports to Madagascar, contacted us after the «Madagaskar-Tag» in Münchenstein. He enquired which materials were currently needed at the clinic and whether we would be interested in transporting such materials in a container. After consulting with the director of «MadaClinics», we knew which materials were needed.
Eric was able to organize hospital beds, a stretcher, drawers, infusion stands and much more for «MadaClinics» – all free of charge! We are lucky to live in a rich country where hospitals provide older but still fully functional materials for such purposes. Thanks to the donations we were able to collect in 2022, we could afford the transportation in the container.
The transportation was originally planned for mid/end January. However, the materials were not sent until the end of February 2023, which had various advantages: the transportation within Madagascar no longer took place during the main rainy season, which would have caused many uncertainties and difficulties. We also had more time to prepare the transportation from the road up to Maventibao.
On April 5, 2023, the time had come: the freighter with our container arrived in Tamatave in eastern Madagascar. However, it then took an unusually long time for customs clearance to be completed. It was not until May 2, 2023 that the container could be transported by truck to the capital Antananarivo. From there, it took a few more days for «our» goods to arrive in Ambilobe.
Nono, director of «MadaClinics», had already prepared everything for the onward transport, again by truck, to Ambondromifehy. We waited with excitement to see how the heavy goods would be transported to the village of Maventibao using carts pulled by zebus. As you may remember, there is still no road leading from the nearest village on the main road to Maventibao. Everything has to be brought up by foot or with the help of zebus. Fortunately, everything worked out perfectly and the beds, stretcher, trolleys etc. arrived undamaged. Fardine, the nurse, was delighted. Such projects only work with your help.
2022
Donation of Material
Thanks to your generous support, Florentin was able to take equipment for MadaClinics with him on his trip to Madagascar. Thanks to your donations, MadaClinics now has an additional stethoscope, thermometer and blood pressure monitor, among other things. They now additionally have a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen saturation.
Monthly Support Contributions
Due to the Covid-19-related travel restrictions, no volunteers were able to travel to Madagascar for over two years (April 2022), which means that «MadaClinics» still has a lack of financial resources. Until summer 2021, the missing income could be covered by reserves of «MadaClinics» itself.
In discussion with the directors of «MadaClinics», we decided to help maintain the basic operation of «MadaClinics». We therefore made monthly contributions of CHF 250 to «MadaClinics» from August 2021 to June 2022.
