Missy Lab: when digital technology becomes a lever for conservation in Manombo Sud
A solar-powered computer lab in the middle of the bush
In Manombo II, a rural commune in the Atsimo-Andrefana region, an innovative project is transforming access to education and technology: Missy Lab – Technology and Biodiversity Education.
Spearheaded by the NGO Women Rise Wildlife Research and supported by Conservation Nation, the project aims to combine learning about computers with raising awareness of local biodiversity. A bold gamble in a region still largely deprived of digital infrastructure.
An infrastructure adapted to local realities
Launched at the beginning of the year, Missy Lab is now fully operational. It includes :
- 12 laptops
- a projector
- a functional Internet connection
- furniture suitable for a training room
- and above all: a solar-powered system, guaranteeing the energy autonomy that is so vital in this area not connected to the grid.
The official inauguration took place on May 9, 2025, in the presence of students, teachers, parents and local authorities.
An educational program combining digital literacy with environmental awareness
The Missy Lab project, a digital learning hub, provides computer training to twenty (20) members of the APC/Vezo in order to strengthen their skills and commitment to the sustainable management of natural resources. At the same time, more than 200 students from 7th and 8th grade levels in five (05) public primary schools (EPP) are given the opportunity to be introduced to digital tools to support their overall learning. By equipping local communities with essential digital skills, Missy Lab empowers them to take an active role in shaping their future while providing the necessary tools to participate in the monitoring and preservation of their natural heritage