Valim-babena

Valim-babena refers to the idea of gratefulness and recognition that we owe to the parents who raised us – the idea that we are because of our parents. 
Mutual help, solidarity and the notion of social connection forms the basic principles of collective life in Madagascar and is also the founding principles of Masoandro Mody an Alzheimer’s organisation based in the capital Antananarivo.
The island country of Madagascar lies of the south-eastern coast of Africa and is home to around 26 million Malagasy people. Low standards of living and the lack of a healthcare structure, especially in rural areas, lead the majority of the population to treat themselves without the help of health¬care professionals, but with home remedies, self-medication, or traditional methods. In Madagascar, dementia is still “an invisible concept” for a large percentage of the population, and this is a trend that is found within the medical system, due to a lack of information and awareness, about one of the most urgent public health priorities in the world.
Many families do not talk about their loved ones’ diagnosis and may tend to hide or even lock them away at home. The main reason is the lack of information and awareness about the condition. Members of society sometimes have deeply rooted beliefs and often judge people with dementia as victims of a demonic possession or an act of witchcraft.
Masoandro Mody is the only Alzheimer’s organization in the country and provides people with hope by providing support and training to family members so that they can care of the elderly. A day centre provides relief to carers when they need a break as nursing homes do not exist in Madagascar and they would also not be tolerated. 
A few years ago Fara Rafaraniriana, noticed something was different about her father Paul Rakotozandriny. He was different. For nine years no one knew he had dementia. His ten children were convinced he had gone crazy and only his daughter Fara Rafaraniriana stood by him. She had never heard of the word Alzheimer‘s, but was advised to contact Alzheimer‘s Masoandro Mody who have provided her with knowledge and support to care for her father and regularly check in on her when the burden of caring for her father becomes too heavy to carry alone.