Madagascar is one of the most magnificent places that I have ever been, and where they have managed to survive, replete with the most beautiful landscapes, wonderful creatures and delightful people that I could ever have imagined.
My time in Madagascar was a wonderfully rewarding experience and the programme run by Azafady is very impressive. I was engaged in educational, humanitarian and conservation-based activities with the local communities and government, which are greatly appreciated and vital to protecting this unique but threatened environment and the interests of the impoverished local communities.
I lived for most of the time in a tiny village made of reeds and palm fronds called Ambandrika. It is one of three beautiful hamlets in the St. Luce area. These hamlets have no electricity, no running water, no sewerage system, and very rudimentary health facilities but are rich in natural wonders and the kindness and hospitality of their human inhabitants.
Every day I was kept busy contributing to education programmes, community conservation projects, biodiversity research, local enterprise activities, health initiatives, forestry management, reforestation work, the building of fuel-efficient stoves (for which there is a long village waiting list), and the introduction of sustainable agricultural methods, to name a selection of the activities. Although on Sundays I was free to roam the forests, socialise with the villagers, or just laze by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Azafady’s work across the southeast of the country is even more broad-ranging. Click this link for a recent report on some of these important works in Madagascar.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all once again for your donations and to provide this information so that you can see how your generous donations have been used. I hope that you feel it was a worthwhile contribution.
I will continue to be involved with the Azafady programme and efforts to protect Madagascar’s people and environment, which are increasingly threatened by factors ranging from resource depletion to rapacious foreign mining interests.
Please do continue to visit my blog in the future for information about these developments and how these challenges are being confronted and overcome.
