Fanarenana Rehabilitation Centre Madagascar Partnership
Since 2015, the University of Antwerp has partnered with the Fanarenana Rehabilitation Centre in Antananarivo, Madagascar, through the non-profit Joella’s Smile. This collaboration supports children with disabilities facing poverty, stigma, and limited healthcare access.
It began when Belgian visitors met a young girl, Joella, who needed surgery for a clubfoot. Unable to afford the procedure, her family received help from the future founders of Joella’s Smile. The experience led to ongoing support for Fanarenana, a centre offering therapy, education, and parental training for disadvantaged children.
Since 2017, students from the University of Antwerp’s Rehabilitation Sciences programme have completed internships at Fanarenana, sharing knowledge and gaining valuable experience. At the Faculty of Design Sciences, master’s students work on developing affordable, eco-friendly orthopaedic devices tailored to local needs. These devices are tested with Fanarenana’s patients and designed using sustainable, locally sourced materials.
The 2023–2024 master’s thesis by Laura Hauspie focused on a low-cost, adjustable night ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for children with spastic cerebral palsy. The device improves mobility and comfort, and can be reused by another child after two years. Local production, including by people with disabilities, not only ensures cost-effectiveness and sustainability but also empowers the community.
This long-standing partnership strengthens care for Malagasy children and fosters global engagement among students and therapists. By emphasizing context-appropriate, collaborative solutions, it’s helping build a more inclusive, sustainable future.
Paul Panda Farnana Artwork 2024-2025
Artist: Irma Földényi
Title: 'Voices of Materials'
Year: 2023-2027
Material: The artwork is made of sand, solidified using fish glue—an ancient, bio-based adhesive derived from fish bones. This technique allows the piece to dissolve in warm water and be reformed without any chemical reactions. The sand can return to its original state and be reused endlessly, highlighting a sustainable, cyclical approach to material use.