A collective for practical support
Velosoa joined the collective in 2017 and also taught French to members. She said HELASIA training had strengthened her knowledge of rights, public speaking and income-generating activities. At school, she answered pupils’ questions about disability and encouraged discussion when children excluded classmates. Education and vocational training were priorities in her account. [1]
Local experience informs public decisions
HELASIA’s project documents placed representative disability organisations at the centre of advocacy and improvements to services. Madagascar partners included organisations of women with disabilities, national federations and groups concerned with autism and intellectual disabilities. The programme linked local experience with national and African regional discussions about policies and access. [2]
Participation alongside access to services
HI’s wider Madagascar programme describes support for education, rehabilitation, economic inclusion and social protection, combined with defending rights and promoting participation. Velosoa’s account gives that work a personal dimension: she emphasised the importance of making one’s own choices and helping fellow members find practical ways to pursue them. [3][1]