Fefe

Fefe studied gem identification and lapidary at the Institute of Gemology of Madagascar in 2008-2012. His parents were convinced that despite years of family business and experience in the gemstone sector, formal training would bring the business to the next level. After graduating from IGM, Fefe started his own business as a gem broker. He later registered as a professional trader and exporter, and has since sold his stones at numerous international fairs and exhibitions. Fefe and his wife run their own business, sourcing from gem mining communities that they've worked with for many years, and selling jewelry at the artisan market in the inner city market of Antananarivo.

Tahiry

Tahiry was trained at IGM in cutting and polishing in 2008. He was a scholarship holder and received financial support from the international disability NGO in the program for the integration of people with disabilities into working life. After completing his studies at IGM he used it to develop a successful lapidary business, which now employs 4 people. Tahiry's lapidary business in Antananarivo is one of only a small number which is fully registered, adhering to highest expectations of transparency and responsible business practice. The business has enabled him to build their family house, and support his children through their education.

Julia, Mamy, or Sitraka (?)

AWIMA was founded in 2015 in response to calls in Africa Mining Vision (2009) - in particular to help address the widely acknowledged need to engender women's inclusion in Africa's mining industry. In particular, AWIMA works to address longstanding challenges such as women's under-representation in the industry, and the extent to which women have often received proportionally less economic benefits whilst bearing a large portion of adverse effects from mining. AWIMA invests in training, capacity building around sustainable mining practices, and advocacy in their efforts to empower women in the extractives sector, and enhance their economic participation.