Looking back at the work of the Time + Tide Foundation over the past decade, it is impossible not to feel the quiet power of patience and listening. From Madagascar to Zambia, the Foundation has grown slowly but intentionally, guided by the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding what is truly needed. Every initiative, every project, has been shaped by careful steps, a steady rhythm, and a commitment to supporting both communities and ecosystems in ways that endure.
From the very beginning, the Foundation chose not to rush into action. In Zambia, this approach has nurtured long-term partnerships with local leaders and schools. Education programs have grown thoughtfully, guided by those who know their communities best. Conservation efforts have followed the same careful rhythm marked by strong partnerships, years of wildlife monitoring, habitat protection, and steady support for recovering species. Across three different locations, children are learning with confidence, and wildlife populations are showing real signs of improvement. None of this happened overnight. All of it happened with intention.
In Madagascar, the approach has been equally measured. The island’s biodiversity is extraordinary, much of it found nowhere else in the world, and helping it thrive requires care and respect. Over the past ten years, across Miavana and the remote coastal areas of north-eastern Madagascar, the Foundation has supported lemur reintroduction, protected nesting sites for sea turtles and seabirds, restored fragile coral reefs, and worked with fishing associations to promote sustainable practices. Step by step, these initiatives have taken root in communities that value and protect the natural world around them.
Then came a new chapter. With the opening of Tsara Komba, the Foundation arrived on our beautiful island of Nosy Komba with new opportunities. True to its nature, the team did not come with ready-made solutions. Instead, they have been spending time with village elders, are learning from families, speaking to teachers and observing the rhythms of daily life on the island.
They are listening carefully, seeking to understand where our support could make the most difference.
One need was immediately clear: healthcare access. Residents often had to travel long distances for even the simplest treatment, and many went without care entirely. Drawing on its experience across Zambia and Madagascar, the Foundation took a first measured step by introducing a full-time nurse to the island. This reflects a pattern that has worked well elsewhere.
In Amparihirano, on Madagascar’s mainland, nurse Mboty Saifa exemplifies the transformative impact of compassionate, consistent healthcare. Since joining the Foundation soon after graduating from the Saint Anne Institute in Diego in 2019, she has offered around forty-five hours of consultations each week. Last year alone, she provided more than three thousand appointments at no cost to local residents. Before her arrival, many had to walk nearly twenty kilometres to reach the nearest clinic in Daraina. Mboty treats everyday illnesses, supports mothers through pregnancy, and offers guidance to families. As one of the few women in a professional role in the village, she has become a role model, especially for girls, showing what is possible with dedication and care.
This spirit of care now extends to Nosy Komba. The arrival of nurse Priscas is only the first step, but it marks the Foundation’s continued commitment to thoughtful, steady progress. As with every initiative over the past decade, this work will grow slowly, guided by the needs and voices of the communities it serves. Since joining the Foundation in September 2025, she has offered around forty hours of consultations each week.
“Providing reliable and compassionate health care is at the heart of my work, and the community’s trust makes this service even more meaningful. I love being able to show up for my community when they need it most.” – Razafindrasoavazaha Rozivellette Priscas
Looking back over ten years, it is clear that the Foundation’s patient approach has yielded lasting impact, from thriving wildlife to empowered communities. Looking forward, the same ethos will guide the journey on Nosy Komba. Here, the work is just beginning, with countless possibilities for the future. The Foundation will continue to listen, learn, and support the island and its people in ways that are meaningful, lasting, and deeply rooted in care.
This is just the beginning, and more research and collaborative conversations are underway, laying the foundation for many years of growth, hope, and shared success on Nosy Komba.
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