“I had a very difficult life,” says Longomasy, a widow and mother of four living in Belafika, a village in southwestern Madagascar.
Before the ASOTRY project arrived, Longomasy struggled to provide for her family. “To feed my children, I collected firewood from the hills and sold it at the market,” she said. “I earned between 1,000 and 2,000 MGA. I also did small jobs like laundry or fetching water, but it was still not enough to feed my children.”
When the ASOTRY project arrived in Belafika, Longomasy joined a Village Savings and Loans (VSL) group because she wanted to change her life. “I used all my savings to buy two goats,” she said.
She later joined a Farmer Field School (FFS) created by ASOTRY to support agriculture and livestock. Through the program, she received another goat, as members who already owned one were given an additional goat.
“With the FFS, I learned how to raise goats,” she explained. “The technicians showed us how to build shelters and how to feed them properly.”
Over time, her herd grew to 36 goats. Wanting a better home for her children, she sold five goats and used the money to build a stronger, more comfortable house. “We used to live in a small straw house,” she said. “Now we have a better home. With the profits, I also started a small shop in front of the house.”
Longomasy has also seen improvements in her family’s health and nutrition. “Before, we often shared just a little cassava for lunch because it was the cheapest food,” she said. “Now, thanks to my business, we can eat a more varied diet and stay healthier.”
As her goat farming continued to grow, she joined a Livestock Marketing Group, giving her better opportunities to sell her animals. “I have more plans for the future,” she said. “I want to sell half of my goats in Toliara and use the profit to raise chickens and invest in a rice business. I will keep the other half to continue growing my herd.”
Today, Longomasy is able to send all her children to school. She hopes they will one day become doctors or community leaders. “As a widow who cannot read or write, I had lost hope,” she said. “But ASOTRY changed my life. Now I can care for my children, and I believe our future will keep improving. I am grateful to ASOTRY and the American people for supporting us.”