Alumni Impact: Henintsoa Daniel

Our TIPS student intern, Hailey Zaw, interviewed a FIUTS Mandela Fellow alumni about the importance of making an impact and his journey towards leadership.

1. Introduce yourself – What is your FIUTS connection? 

My name is Henintsoa Daniel, I am a Child and Youth care professional from Madagascar. I am a 

2021 Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni and a FIUTS alumni as well. The MWF is the US 

Department of State’s leadership program for high achieving youths who are change- 

catalysts in their respective communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The program consists of providing 

youth with advanced leadership training courses, in my case, Leadership in Public 

management, and the development of youth-led US-Africa community of practice and international 

understanding. I was extremely fortunate to have been placed in FIUTS at the University of 

Washington, Seattle for my Alumni Institute Enrichment experience in the US in the Summer of 

2022. 

2. Tell us about your current work 

In the past 15 years, I have significantly contributed to the promotion of life-changing practices in 

social care in Madagascar. I started with Global Rehabilitation, a UK-based non-profit which has 

supported the improvement of physical rehabilitation, nursing and eye care in Madagascar for over a 

decade. One of our greatest achievements was the creation of the first acute care unit for spinal 

cord injury patients in Madagascar. I have also been involved in humanitarian and emergency 

responses work as a frontline or a response coordinator for the polio outbreak, the pulmonary 

plague epidemic, COVID-19 pandemic and the chronic hunger crisis in the South of Madagascar. I 

had the chance to work for or collaborate with impacting and leading organizations in the field of 

humanitarian and development such as UNICEF, EU or the USAID in doing so. 

Although I have covered quite a variety of social care fields, my primary focus is and has always been 

inclusive child and youth care practice. I have a strong belief that investing in our children and youth 

is the best we can do. Therefore, 11 years ago, I created a non-profit called, Hay Kanto, which is 

a community-run non-profit whose mandate is to provide care for vulnerable children and youth by 

supporting local development through the mobilization of the child’s direct and at-large community 

to promote child protection initiatives, formal and informal education but also artistic, scientific and 

socio-cultural literacy among our children and youth. 

At Hay Kanto, we run a wide array of volunteer-based programs all year long such as community arts 

and science clubs for children, care package delivery and community relief work during the cyclone 

season, justice-involved youth education program with a sister organization and capacity building 

and training programs for other child and youth care workers. Recently, we also supported the 

local community English club and Saturday’s soccer club for the children. 

3. How do you see a connection between your FIUTS experience and your current work? 

My time with FIUTS has been a life changing experience. This was the first time I have been part of 

such a diverse group and rich in wisdom and experienced people. I have learnt a lot about being part 

of an international community who is sharing the same vision, the same drive and the same thirst for 

learning. Moreover, FIUTS team is an incredibly experienced and talented moderator and leadership 

skills trainers. They made the learning fun but also the challenges manageable and reflective. I am 

confident that everyone from our FIUTS cohort grew up such much form the time we had in Seattle 

looking back. FIUTS feels like family. I already had the great privilege to have had two FIUTS Alumni 

in Madagascar since 2022. 

As I work in a very international setting, the “International Understanding” that I have been taught 

and experienced at FIUTS really changed the way I approach my work. I have developed a greater 

 sense of listening, empathy and curiosity in the way I interact with people. Also, I have had the 

chance to exchange with FIUTS fellow about sensitive and important topics in social care practice 

such as mental health, gender sensitive practice, disability and inclusion but also market value which 

I haven’t though would be extremely valuable for me to learn even if I primarily work in social care. 

4. Are there any ways others could get involved in your work? 

You can follow our work at Hay Kanto on our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and 

LinkedIn or learn about what we do on our website (www.haykanto.org). We value 

 international understanding very much at Hay Kanto, we always welcome connections to other non- 

profits, schools, online volunteering, community of practice, new ideas or donations. As a team, we 

are very open and we are always up for conversations. So, don’t hesitate to reach out. 

5. What advice do you have for others who want to be involved in their communities in this way? 

I advise people to just go for it but don’t do it alone. There is a strong added value in working as a 

group, especially as part of a group that is diverse in several aspects. Results and changes will take 

time and things can appear overwhelming at times but don’t get discouraged. You’ll be surprised 

one step at a time is largely enough. Be patient because you’ll soon feel the satisfaction of 

having done something positive of your time and energy but also, you’ll notice how your community 

has incrementally become stronger, united and more resilient. That’s the reward!