Fanih Randriamanohisoa
Volunteer Facilitator and Financial Assistant, La Mananara
Fanih is a passionate advocate for indigenous people and local communities, with a strong interest in lemur conservation. She specializes in nutritional anthropology and is deeply committed to addressing food insecurity in Madagascar, believing that improving people’s nutrition and well-being is key to preserving the country’s unique ecological wealth. She has experience conducting socio-economic and nutritional surveys in local communities and has participated in ecological monitoring fieldwork in collaboration with the University of the West of England and NGO SADABE. Professionally, she has worked as a National Technical Assistant at FEKRITAMA, a farmers’ organization, and completed an internship with the NGO IMPACT Madagascar, where she assessed food security and designed a community development plan. She previously served as project manager at BEOLOBE, an NGO focused on the sustainable management of natural resources in Madagascar.
Fanih holds a Master’s degree in Biological Anthropology and Sustainable Development, with a specialization in nutritional anthropology from the University of Antananarivo. She is also currently in her third year of Management studies at CNTEMAD.
Q&A with FANIH
What draws you to a career in wildlife conservation?
I’ve been drawn to wildlife conservation by realizing the deep connection between human well-being and biodiversity. Growing up in Madagascar, I witnessed how the degradation of natural resources directly impacts the livelihoods and food security of local communities. This made me understand that conservation cannot succeed without people. Local communities, often marginalized, hold invaluable knowledge about these resources and can become our greatest allies if their well-being is taken into consideration. By working together, we can build strategies that benefit both Madagascar’s unique biodiversity and its inhabitants.
Who or what inspires you?
I have been deeply inspired by Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy, a passionate advocate for small-scale fishers and for community-based natural resource management. Furthermore, when I realized how severely food insecurity affects local communities, I became determined to carry their voices by actively contributing to their well-being and ensuring their meaningful involvement in conservation strategies.
Is there a book has influenced you or made a strong impression?
The book Communities, Conservation and Livelihoods by the IUCN Community Conservation Network, edited by Anthony Charles, made a strong impression on me. It illustrates how local communities engage in environmental conservation supporting sustainable livelihoods and articulates how they can be supported in policy and practical programs.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is seafood, especially shrimp. Fortunately, I’m not allergic.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is “Breakthrough.”
What is one of the coolest experiences you’ve had in your work?
One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my work has been educating children about lemurs and environmental protection. I’ve always had a special love for children, and being able to pass on the importance of conservation to them at an early age was an extraordinary experience.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would choose the United States. I have always been passionate about meeting new people and experiencing different cultures, and the USA, with its incredible diversity, feels like the perfect place to do so.
Besides lemurs, what is one of your favorite animals, and why?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated by dolphins. Their ability to communicate, form complex social bonds, and show empathy for other species has always impressed me.
Why do you care about Madagascar and its wildlife?
I care about Madagascar’s wildlife because its biodiversity is found nowhere else on Earth. As a Malagasy, I feel it is my responsibility to contribute to its conservation so that future generations can also appreciate the richness and beauty of Madagascar’s biodiversity.