In Madagascar, CI’s two local NGO partners, ASOS and MATEZA, trained field agents across the biological corridor to be the champions of population, health and the environment by becoming experts on a range of health and conservation topics such as vaccinations, family planning, vegetable gardening, reforestation and improved rice production. These men and women were recognized leaders in the community, and they represented the frontline in protecting and caring for their ecosystems.

A number of successes have been achieved with these partners:

• We reached more than 25,000 village residents with educational messages to improve understanding of family planning and reproductive health and its importance to healthy families and a healthy environment.

• We increased the use of contraception by an average of 3 to 4 percent each year.

• We vaccinated more than 8,500 children and pregnant women from 2005 to 2008.

• We trained more than 1,500 community health promoters.

• CI and partners constructed almost 3,000 latrines and 3,000 waste pits or composts in response to community needs for improved hygiene and sanitation infrastructure.