Ms. Raharivololona Nivo Lalao, a mother of five from Faralaza, Madagascar, wasn’t always the confident leader she is today. Living in a fokontany (community) of 4,771 residents where agriculture and livestock were the mainstays, Ms. Lalao stepped forward when volunteers were sought for sanitation initiatives.
The turning point came in 2016 with the formation of the Fokontany Sanitation Committee (RF2) in Fandrosoana. A year later, Ms. Lalao became the RF2 president, taking charge of waste collection and cleaning services. Public speaking, managing resources, and negotiation were foreign concepts to her then.
“I was shy and reserved,” Ms. Lalao admits. But with encouragement from the Fokontany leader and crucial support from WSUP, she persevered. WSUP provided training, equipment, and materials, empowering Ms. Lalao to excel in her role.
“The training significantly improved my ability to do my job well and significantly develop RF2 services since 2018,” she says. The results are undeniable. Faralaza is cleaner, flooding is less frequent, and residents are happy to contribute. The sanitation workers, now six in number, saw their monthly compensation rise to 100,000 Ariary, boosting their morale.
Ms. Lalao’s leadership fostered a strong collaboration between the RF2 and the fokontany chief, who even provided space within the fokontany office, solidifying the RF2’s credibility. Remarkably, over 800 households – practically the entire fokontany – subscribe to the RF2’s services. But Ms. Lalao’s vision extends beyond households.
The RF2 has mobilized 30 businesses, 5 schools, 2 companies, charitable residents, and the Water Users Association. These entities contribute substantially, ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 Ariary monthly.
Ms. Lalao’s transformation is remarkable. Today, she confidently supervises a team of managers, collection agents, and cleaning staff. She manages a monthly budget exceeding 1,000,000 Ariary collected from various sources. She negotiates with partners, generates reports, and maintains strong relationships with stakeholders – all skills honed through WSUP’s training.
The impact extends beyond her professional life. The 50,000 Ariary monthly allowance allows her to pay for her children’s education consistently. “I also practice good hygiene behaviors to improve my family’s health,” she says.
Ms. Lalao’s ambition doesn’t stop here. “I want to go even further for the sustainable development of the sanitation sector,” she declares.