Sitting on a bench at a reproductive health clinic in one of the poorest parts of Madagascar’s capital city of Antananarivo were two nervous, pregnant 16-year-old girls. No longer in school, unsure how their lives were about to unfold, and preparing for the toll childbirth would have on their small bodies — thrust into premature adulthood when they’re still just kids.
They each walked about 40 minutes to the clinic — it’s the only free, one-of-its-kind clinic within a three-mile radius. They couldn't afford to pay for services at a clinic closer to their homes.
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About the author
Sara Jervingsarajerving
Sara Jerving is a Senior Reporter at Devex, where she covers global health. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, VICE News, and Bloomberg News among others. Sara holds a master's degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism where she was a Lorana Sullivan fellow. She was a finalist for One World Media's Digital Media Award in 2021; a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists in 2018; and she was part of a VICE News Tonight on HBO team that received an Emmy nomination in 2018. She received the Philip Greer Memorial Award from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 2014.
