Our Project
Promoting the Employment of Young Adults in Madagascar
Our pilot Project in Nosy Ambariovato (Nosy Komba) – We Stay at Home
Fativana, Tanindrazana, Fandrosoana – Love, Motherland, Progress (Malagasy slogan)
We from RUBIKON und weiter have been travelling to Madagascar regularly for years and have learned a lot about its culture(s), life, living conditions, tourism and education and have valued this country and its people ever since.
Madagascar is the second largest island state in the world in terms of area. The gross national product is among the lowest in the world, the average age is 18 years. The opportunities for adequate education are not available everywhere. Unemployment and underemployment are widespread, although this is not reflected in official statistics.
However, as the slogan suggests, Madagascar’s inhabitants are very family-oriented, have ties to their homeland and do not want to leave Madagascar if they do not have to.
Through an education in sustainable/soft tourism, we from RUBIKON und weiter want to give young Madagascans a perspective to be more successful in their homeland, to shape their lives according to their own wishes and to care for their families.
Here you can learn more about RUBIKON und weiter
RUBIKON und weiter is seated in Berlin and advises people in institutions and enterprises on all questions of organizational and personnel development. We train, coach and moderate in all relevant subject areas (leadership development, communication, time and self-management, development of proactive behaviour, motivation, sales, dealing with change processes).
To start, we first assess the needs of the employees, determine the development goals of the organization, the values and norms of the corporate culture, the type of communication and the level of proactive behaviour. We accompany change processes from dysfunctional-hierarchical to functional-agile organizational forms. Scientific qualification and many years of experience have led us from a linear (“if … then” or “cause … effect”) to a systemic way of thinking. Linear-causal explanatory models cannot reflect the complexity of today’s challenges. We work systemically, i.e. interactions between systems or subsystems are at the centre of our observation.
Communication as a social system, ecology and economy are the three pillars of sustainability and the understanding of their interaction determines the success of a development process.
Madagascar – a natural paradise in poverty but rich in social capital
Opportunities lie in the development of sustainable tourism
Fact 1: Educational opportunities are often difficult to access or expensive
The education system consists of preschool, primary school (5 years), secondary school (7 years, 2 levels), secondary schools and colleges. Malagasy and French are the languages of instruction. Children between the ages of 6 and 14 are required to attend school. The majority of primary and secondary schools are state-run. Up to secondary level, the gender ratio is balanced, in secondary school only 32% are female.
Despite compulsory schooling, the literacy rate of those over 24 years is only about 65% with a minimal gender difference. Long distances to school and the expected domestic help of the children prevent attendance at school. In 2017 the state spent 2.1% of GDP on education, putting Madagascar in 158th place out of 164 compared to other countries. Cuba leads the list with 12.8% of GDP. (Source UNESCO 2017)
Fact 2: Underemployment and unemployment prevail in Madagascar
With a total population (2016) of around 25 million, the number of people in employment was estimated at around 13 million. According to the UN, the agricultural sector accounted for about 75%, the industrial sector for 8% and services for 17%. Unemployment and underemployment, especially in the younger generation, are political explosives.
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The Agriculture is characterised by low dynamics and export problems (with the exception of vanilla and high-quality shrimps).
Overall, subsistence farming predominates (rice, maize and cassava). Madagascar is dependent on food imports to supply the constantly growing population, even for rice. In particular, unfavourable weather and climate conditions (hurricanes on the north and east coasts, drought and occasional plagues of locusts in the south) hamper food security. After drought and poor harvests, there was a hunger crisis in the southwest of the country in 2016/17 1.5 million inhabitants were affected. Even before that, an average of just over 2,000 Kcal per person and day was available. One third of the population is malnourished. The leasing of fertile land to foreign investors is considered problematic from the point of view of development policy. They make a profit by growing cash crops and producing biofuels. The population loses urgently needed land for food cultivation.
Fact 3: Madagascar has a unique flora and fauna
About 80 million years ago Madagascar was separated from the African mainland by the tectonic plate shift. Since there were no large land predators in Madagascar, a flora and fauna developed with numerous species that can only be found in Madagascar. With regard to environmental protection, Madagascar signed the UNEP Convention on Biological Diversity and ratified the 2015 Paris Convention on Climate Change.
Environmental problems caused by deforestation of primary forests, slash-and-burn, soil erosion, soil and water pollution and the consequences of global climate change (drought and flooding) threaten numerous species. (According to the UN, 965 species were threatened in 2015, including lemurs, an endemic primate species).
Fact 4: Madagascar depends on income from tourism
Although Madagascar has an agricultural character, it cannot feed its population on its own. Food accounts for 10% of Madagascar’s imports. Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange. The number of tourists increased until 2008 (approx. 380,000 visitors per year), which generated income of 393 million US dollars. As a result of the political crisis in 2009, the number of visitors collapsed and has been rising slowly since 2010. In 2016, 293,000 tourists came to Madagascar (source: World Bank).
About 10% of Madagascar’s tourists are considered unconventional explorers, 15% demanding travellers and 14% nature travellers. More and more tourists are coming to experience the original way of life and culture at first hand.
Fact 5: Madagascar’s gross domestic product is not a measure of quality of life
Madagascar’s gross domestic product (GDP) is among the lowest in the world (purchasing power-adjusted GDP per capita ranked 182 out of 192; Report for Selected Countries and Subjects).
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The GDP is a country-specific measure of “prosperity”. It measures goods and services that are intended to reflect the quality of life of the inhabitants. For example, buying a car or spending on armaments increases GDP, but also the consequential costs of car accidents, disasters and environmental destruction.
Only countries with a high GDP can obtain cheap loans on the capital market through government bonds. Three American rating agencies (Standard&Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch) decide on this. 95% of world loans (15 trillion dollars) go to the United States, Japan, Germany and France. (Source Alexander Dill). Thus, the exclusive evaluation according to GDP leads to rich countries becoming richer and poor countries remaining poor.
Value added through unregistered trade or unregistered services has no impact on GDP. These include, for example, goods traded on markets, forms of neighbourly help, many offers for tourists. Barter trade or agricultural self-sufficiency are just as little reflected in GDP as an unequal distribution of wealth.
The GDP is thus unsuitable as a prosperity indicator for poor countries.
For quality of life, qualities such as hospitality, helpfulness, solidarity and trust are decisive in addition to value creation through economic activities. These qualities are called social capital and reflect quality of life much better than GDP.
What is social capital?
Social capital is defined as measurable social goods that cannot be bought for money. These are the “capital” of “poor” families. Social capital includes trust, solidarity, helpfulness, friendliness and especially hospitality. To measure these goods, an assessment scale (representative panel) is used to relate and evaluate them to the areas of family, friends, guests, politics, media, church and state. We think, the appreciation of ancestors in social capital should also be considered in Madagascar.
Children increase social capital
The theory of social capital assumes that a child is born as a friendly being. This friendliness is usually reflected by family, friends and neighbours in the form of helpfulness. The child, on the other hand, returns joy, laughter, etc. through its positive reactions to the helpfulness of its environment. This interaction intensifies with each empathic social interaction and with each further child. Seen in this way, child abundance generates social capital.
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In Berlin, social capital was measured in eleven districts in 2014. The indicators used were social climate, hospitality, trust, helpfulness and friendliness. The results are surprising. In affluent districts, social capital is often lower than in districts with higher unemployment or unfavourable housing conditions (source: Berlin Social Climate Index 2014).
Our Project
Together with the inhabitants of Nosy Komba (Madagascan Nosy Ambariovato), a paradise-original island in the northwest of Madagascar, we want to develop a long-term holistic concept that meets the needs of the people and aims at a gentle, environmentally conscious treatment of nature and increases the quality of life.
Why we have decided on Nosy Komba
We discovered the paradise Nosy Komba some years ago. Although the journey to the airport Fascene (NOS) of the neighbouring island Nosy Be took more than 30 hours (today we don’t fly via the capital of Madagascar Antananarivo anymore but directly to Nosy Be), our holiday feeling already began with the arrival at the airport.
In a small, manageable hall there are staff with different responsibilities. Everyone is very friendly. After 15 minutes the formalities are finished and we take a taxi to Helle Ville. The journey takes about 30 minutes and gives a first impression of the beautiful island of Nosy Be. Our first destination in Helle Ville is always the Café Oasis. We are looking forward to it hours in advance.
We enjoy the delicious and fresh food, the fish, the meat and the excellent salads. The French influence shows itself from a particularly beautiful side. (During the first trip our landlord was waiting for us in the Oasis.)
With a Tuk-Tuk we proceed another 800 meters to the entry point for the crossing to Nosy Komba. Again a wonderful bustle, very friendly and helpful people, who already recognize by facial expressions if the guests are well. (If you should have something hanging mouth corners, then you are addressed immediately and asked whether everything is good.
The Piroge (outrigger boat) with engine starts the crossing, if the approx. 20 seats are occupied. After usually short waiting time it starts. Gently rocking over small waves, a wonderful breeze, crystal clear water, soft air, blue sky and in the background lush green wooded island groups. The crossing takes about 40 minutes and costs the equivalent of €2.50 per person. This trip is worth every cent.
On our first trip we approached Nosy Komba full of expectation, saw small houses on immaculate beaches between coral cliffs or basalt rocks. At the beach in front of “our” house the boat stopped and we covered the last meters wading through shallow water. Our exit was accompanied by sympathy and friendly comments from the passengers. Helping hands support the transport of our luggage to the beach. (When the waves are higher, not only the legs get wet.) With friendly waving we were said goodbye and made our way to “our” house. The boat then goes to further exit points.
Arrived in our accommodation at the beach with view over forest, sea and rocks we were speechless. We could not believe such a beautiful thing, we had never seen such a beautiful thing before. Despite Caribbean experiences and several stays abroad this was something very special. We probably fell in love with Komba at that moment.
Nosy Komba is an ecological dream
Nosy Komba (13.47°S, 048.3°W, “Lemur Island”) is an almost conical extinct volcano (Ø 4km, highest elevation 621m) south of Nosy Be (Big Island) in the channel of Mozambique at the west coast of Madagascar. Nosy Komba can only be reached by boat. Footpaths connect the settlements, there are no roads and no vehicles. About 90% of the island is forested, 60 ha of which is primary forest, which has been declared a protected area. The beaches are clean. The approx. 4,000 inhabitants live primarily from fishing and agriculture. Tourism is gaining in importance.
Nosy Komba is a paradise for tourists. Hotels and accommodation on Nosy Komba are currently mainly run by Europeans. We want local people to participate more through education in sustainable eco-tourism. Our guiding principle is sustainability. We define this as “sustainable development that meets the needs of the present generation and opens up equal opportunities for future generations”.
Our training concept
Employees of RUBIKON und weiter will offer free training in the field of sustainable tourism to participants within the framework of a sabbatical year starting in 2019. The training will follow our leitmotif “Make Things Happen” and will teach competences concerning hotels and restaurants in six modules. Language courses in English will be offered.
The qualification is based on holistic systemic thinking, which includes the elements of responsibility for people, the preservation and protection of flora and fauna and the adoption of environmentally conscious behaviour. According to the motto “Safe This Paradise” we will develop training modules together with residents of Nosy Komba. It is important for us to involve all those directly or indirectly involved in tourism (the mayor Papa Komba, the school director and the teachers, responsible persons for hotels, gastronomy and other tourist offers, representatives of the churches, health workers, fishermen, craftsmen, etc.).
We want to enable the participants in the qualification to independently offer overnight stays and package deals for the target group of nature and adventure travellers (approx. 34% of tourists) or to train them for employment in the hotel business or to enable them to counsel the responsible persons for tourism business in regard to sustainability.
All training modules focus on practical experience. The training is certified.
The six training modules
Module A: The guests arrive
Module B: Discover Nosy Komba, the people and the culture
Module C: Cooking with local products and international flair
Module D: Preserve Nosy Komba as an ecological paradise and care for the environment
Module E: Present yourself
Module F: Service and hygiene.
We will adapt the contents of the modules in cooperation with the trainees and the inhabitants of Nosy Komba.
The modules A-F
Module A: The guests arrive
Exchange phone numbers, e-mail and ask for arrival time in Nosy Be/Fascene
Ask guests about their meal preferences on arrival
Describe how to get to Hell-Ville and the Piroge by taxi
Buy food stocks and beverages
Check the preparation and equipment of the rooms/bathrooms, toilet, shower
and mosquito nets
Pick up and welcome guests in Hell-Ville (e.g. at the Oasis)
Accompany the guests to the house, show them the place
Offer a range of snacks and have a meal prepared
Apply basic knowledge of English. Introduction and conversation with simple questions
Module B: Discover Nosy Komba, the people and the culture
Take a tour of the village with guests
Show and explain everyday life in Nosy Komba
Present historical development and explain fadys
Highlight the importance of social capital
Establish contacts with families
Take part at the children’s school lessons
Offer dance lessons for women
Visit local artists and show, how they carve or process textiles
Buy fish from the fisherman and prepare it together
Go fishing with the local fisherman
Attend a divine service
Participate in Malagasy music event
Suggest and describe boat trips and hiking activities
Organize snorkelling or diving trips
Organize accompanied adventure overnight in the jungle of Nosy Komba
Deepen guest communication in English
Module C: Cooking with local products and international flair
Purchase and preparation of coffee, tea and juice specialities
Production of healthy lemonades
Preparing rice, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes
Yoghurt, ice cream, sandwiches, chips and various spreads
Use of herbs for seasoning
Learn the corresponding vocabulary
Module D: Preserve Nosy Komba as an ecological paradise and care for the environment
Sensitization to the beauty of the island
Watch films on environmental protection and pollution
Show effects of polluting behaviour on the future of the island
Visit the Volunteers Ecological Station to observe and protect the corals and sensitize the fauna on Nosy Komba
Present alternatives to plastic use
Raising awareness of solar technology and use of solar power
Construction with natural materials
Develop ecological wastewater systems
Construction of an underground cold store
How to advise on sustainability and ecotourism
Sustainability and conscious ecological behaviour
Module E: Present yourself
Marketing – what is important? Which guests would you like to attract?
Marketing of your own hotel or apartment
Marketing of leisure activities on Nosy Komba
Protection of flora and fauna, protection of maritime life
Marketing the sustainability claim: why Nosy Komba is an ecological paradise
Design a flyer with images and text
Create and publish a website
Establish contacts to Airbnb experience
Calculate income and expences, accounting as a condition for economic viability
Learn how to present yourself successfully
Module F: Service and hygiene
What the guest can expect and what you can expect
Service all around the guest and the kitchen to cleanliness
Use of ecological cleaning agents
Waste separation in the kitchen
Storage and cooling of food products
Meeting expectations on both sides
The association Chancen IN Afrika e.V. was founded in November 2018.
It is registered at the district court Berlin-Charlottenburg.
The association is recognized as a non-profit organization by the Tax Office for Corporations (Finanzamt für Körperschaften I, in Berlin, Steuernummer 27/662/58366) .
Board Hildegard Böcher, Michael Ott, Bernhard Jahn
left to right: Hildegard, our landlord Eudoxie, Bernhard
Have you been to Madagascar before? If not, then come with us.
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