HoverAid

OUR MISSION
HoverAid seeks to provide hope and healing, and transform lives in remote communities by 'Reaching The Unreachable'.

18/08/2026

The story behind FAITH, the RiverRover

Many of you will already be familiar with the RiverRover, FAITH, and its role in helping HoverAid reach some of Madagascar’s most remote communities.

But how did it actually come to be?

In our latest article, HoverAid CEO, John Greaves, takes us back through the story of the RiverRover’s creation. From the ideas and challenges that shaped its design, through the development and hard work that went into creating a hovercraft specifically suited to HoverAid’s needs.

It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes at the journey that brought the RiverRover to life, and the people and thinking that made it possible.

👉 Read John’s full story:
https://hoveraid.org/going-further-to-reach-the-unreachable-a-new-hovercraft-for-hoveraid/

02/08/2026

Our latest Madagascar Medical Safari (MMS) mission took the team to the remote community of Ankavandra, where, despite ongoing security concerns and unexpected equipment failures, they provided 598 consultations and procedures to people with little or no access to healthcare.

The week brought many challenges, but it was also one of reflection.

Before the clinics opened, the team paused for a minute's silence to remember Dr Elisoa, who sadly passed away just a month before the mission. Returning to Ankavandra without her was deeply emotional for the team and the local community alike. She had dedicated so much of her life to caring for people there, and her absence was felt throughout the week.

From complex surgeries and ultrasound diagnoses to treating tuberculosis, malnutrition and other common conditions, the team continued their work with the same commitment and compassion that Dr Elisoa embodied.

Thank you to our incredible Malagasy team, MAF, the local authorities and the gendarmerie, whose support helped make this mission possible.

📖 Read the full mission report on our website to learn more about the journey, the challenges faced, and the lives changed through this mission.

29/07/2026

A few weeks ago, we sent out an emergency appeal for little Lido (Lando), a one-year-old boy whose family walked for an entire day to reach HoverAid's Mobile Medical Service in the hope that someone could help their son.

Following assessment by our medical team, it became clear that Lido urgently needed specialist neurosurgery—care that was completely beyond his family's means.

Thanks to your incredible generosity, our emergency appeal reached its target, allowing Lido and his family to travel to the capital and receive the life-changing operation he desperately needed.

His surgery was a success. While he still has a road to recovery ahead, Lido is already showing encouraging signs of progress. He's eating well, opening his eye for the first time, and continues to be closely monitored by his medical team.

Unfortunately, we aren't able to share photographs of Lido's condition or surgery, as they are too graphic for social media. We hope you'll understand that protecting his dignity and respecting hospital guidance is our priority.

To everyone who donated, shared the appeal or kept Lido in their thoughts—thank you.

We'll continue to keep you updated on Lido's recovery.

20/07/2026

Partner Spotlight: VanillaBazaar

At HoverAid, we're incredibly grateful for the businesses that choose to support our work in Madagascar, and we're proud to shine a spotlight on one of those valued partners – VanillaBazaar.

Through our ongoing partnership, 1% of sales from their MADA Madagascan vanilla range is donated to HoverAid, helping us continue delivering healthcare, clean water and community development projects to some of Madagascar's most remote communities.

We're also delighted to congratulate the VanillaBazaar team on recently joining the Buy Women Built campaign, recognising and celebrating female-founded businesses making a positive impact.

It's partnerships like these that demonstrate how businesses can create meaningful change – supporting Madagascan producers while helping communities access the vital services they need.

Thank you, VanillaBazaar, for your continued support of HoverAid and the people of Madagascar. 💙

Read the full Partner Spotlight on our website to learn more about this fantastic partnership.

17/07/2026

💧 One new well is already making a measurable difference.

Last week, our team returned to Soatana, a small village along the Makay River, as part of our ongoing commitment to support the community.

In 2025, HoverAid worked alongside local people to construct a new borehole, solar-powered pump and water infrastructure, providing reliable access to clean water for the first time. We also helped establish a Community Association to manage and maintain the system, helping ensure a sustainable supply for the whole village.

During our visit, the local Health Agent shared a powerful sign of progress: black-market sales of metronidazole, an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections linked to unsafe water, have fallen significantly since the well became operational.

This is clear evidence of the difference that safe water can make. When clean water is combined with practical guidance on hygiene, washing and sanitation, cases of common water-related illnesses can reduce quickly and community health can improve profoundly.

This is what long-term, community-led change looks like. 💙

14/07/2026

Last week, our HoverAid UK Chair Gwyn, CEO John, and Madagascar Country Director Doreen met with the new HoverAid Netherlands Board in Rotterdam.

The meeting was an opportunity to share updates from our work in Madagascar and agree priorities for growing our supporter community and developing institutional funding opportunities in the Netherlands—helping us reach even more remote communities with life-changing healthcare, WASH, and community development programmes.

We're excited for this next chapter and look forward to working together to expand HoverAid's impact. 💙

11/07/2026

Congratulations to our newly qualified HoverPilot, Olivier, pictured alongside FAITH, HoverAid's hovercraft that is helping transform access to remote communities along the Mangoky River.

Together, Olivier and the team, using FAITH are ready to reach isolated villages that are otherwise difficult to access, supporting the delivery of our ongoing Community Health and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programmes.

By overcoming geographical barriers, we can continue bringing healthcare, clean water initiatives and lasting support to the people who need it most.

24/06/2026

🚴‍♂️ Taking on the Coast to Coast for HoverAid! 🌍

Rob, one of HoverAid's Trustees will be taking on the iconic Coast to Coast cycle in July to raise funds for HoverAid's work in Madagascar.

Every mile ridden will help us continue reaching some of the most isolated communities in the world with vital healthcare, clean water initiatives, emergency relief and community health programmes.

Challenges like this require determination, commitment and plenty of pedal power – but the impact of your support can help transform lives.

If you'd like to support Rob and his efforts as well as help us continue reaching the unreachable, please consider making a donation:

https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/RvlpA

Every donation, no matter the size, helps bring medical aid, clean water facilities and further support to remote communities in Madagascar.

Well Done and Thank you Rob! 🚴‍♀️💙

13/06/2026

🚁 DOUBLE-HEADER MEDICAL MISSION SAFARI COMPLETE 🚁

In May, our incredible Madagascar medical team completed two back-to-back Medical Mission Safaris, travelling from Sahakevo directly to Ampasinambo to bring specialist healthcare to some of the country's most isolated communities.

Across both missions, the team delivered:

🩺 524 medical consultations
🦷 168 dental examinations
🔍 288 ultrasound scans
🏥 66 surgical procedures

Behind these numbers are real people and real stories.

In Sahakevo, our team carried out 32 operations, including the removal of a large ovarian cyst, emergency caesarean sections and life-changing surgery for patients who had been living with painful conditions for years.

One patient who particularly touched the team was one-year-old Lido. His family walked for an entire day from their village to reach the hospital, hoping his growing tumour could be treated. While his condition requires specialist neurosurgery beyond what could be safely provided during the mission, the team were able to give his family answers, a diagnosis and a pathway towards the care he needs.

In Ampasinambo, the team were met by a huge turnout of patients thanks to excellent community engagement by the local mayor and hospital staff. Alongside consultations, surgery and dental care, the mission highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by malaria, poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

These missions are never simple. They require aircraft shuttles, careful logistics, dedicated volunteers and strong local partnerships. But together, they mean that over 1,000 people received healthcare that would otherwise have been out of reach.

Thank you to everyone who supports HoverAid and makes these missions possible. ❤️

📖 Read the full mission reports:
Sahakevo: https://hoveraid.org/mms-sahakevo-may26/
Ampasinambo: https://hoveraid.org/mms-ampasinambo-may26/

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