“How are We Malagasy Supposed to Provide School Supplies and Medications for our Children ?”

Malagasy blogger 

Tojo Fehizoro posted a spreadsheet that summarized the minimum cost of basic supplies for a Malagasy family of 4 with 2 children, 10 and 7 years old respectively. The spreadsheet lists the cost and description of each item [mg] and the combined salary of both parents:
 
The budget of a  family of 4 in Madagascar - with permission

The budget of a family of 4 in Madagascar – with permission

Monthly Income 

  • Monthly salary of father : 78 USD/month
  • Monthly salary of mother : 72 USD/month
  • Total : 150 USD 

Monthly expenses

  • Public transportation (bus for 4) : 34.3 USD
  • Breakfast (for 4): 16 USD 
  • Lunch (for 4): 51 USD 
  • Supper (for 4): 21 USD 
  • Snack for children : 4 USD 
  • Rent : 30 USD
  • Electricity and water : 13 USD 
  • school fees : 21 USD 
  • Charcoal : 6 USD 
  • Soap :  1.5 USD 
  • Salt : .38 USD
  • Cooking oil : 2.2 USD
  • Sugar : 1.03 USD 
  • Total : 233.82 USD 
 
Given the information above, Tojo then asks how exactly are they supposed to pay for school supplies, clothes and medications for children.  
* the conversion rate from Malagasy Ariary to US Dollars is 1,000 MGA = 0.42 USD  (the exchange rate can be found here)

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