In the next few weeks the construction work for the two new NEXUS Centers in the Southwest of Madagascar will start. Together with the WWF team of Toliara we visited the villages of Ambola and Befasy.
The villagers look forward to the new facilities. From other villages with already operational NEXUS Centers they know, that their children will be less affected by waterborne diseases due to the safe water supplies. Nevertheless there was reason for an intense discussions during our visit; that was the selection of the location in Ambola. Where should the new center be built? How does it best fit into the village? The members of the community gathered spontaneously on site for an animated discussion. Engaged but always respectfully they argued – and agreed in the end to a solution. This is how direct democracy works in Ambola.
By Adrian and Renate Rutishauser
Source: nexus ch
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