Madagascar
Lying off Africa’s southeastern coast, the foot-shaped island of Madagascar continues to experience significant poverty and hardship. The World Bank has identified Madagascar as the world’s sixth poorest nation.
75% of the Malagasy population live on less than $1.90 a day, 70% on less than $1.00 a day.
50% of Malagasy children are malnourished.
Madagascar is more seriously affected by plague than any other country. Since 2017, hundreds have died from bubonic and pneumonic plague.
Since October 2018, approximately 1,500 children have died from a measles outbreak.
Poor families lack the funds to purchase medicines or to travel to receive health care.
Our hearts ached to learn that our beloved WGLO country representative, Jaona Andrianasolo, was struck with COVID during his December visit to Ankaramalaza. He’s still struggling with the after effects.
The COVID pandemic was not the only crisis to batter the remote (only reached by boat) village of Ankaramalaza.
On February 5, Cyclone Batsirai made a direct hit on this off-the-map settlement in southeast Madagascar…followed by Cyclone Emnati on February 22. (See our blog, “The Famine Is Here.”)
When the cyclones hit, villagers were already struggling to recover from earlier set-backs: a devastating fire; the grim arrival of COVID; outbreaks of malaria, influenza, and pneumonic plague; and an agonizing drought.
Many homes in Ankaramalaza lie in shambles. Although chlorine has been added to the local wells, safety of the water supply is still uncertain. Gardens and fruit trees have been blown down or washed away. We’ve helped repair the village hospital and have provided tons of rice for hungry families. Much remains to be done.
See below for other current efforts and objectives in Madagascar.
Toby Ankaramalaza
Install water collection, storage, and distribution system for the entire village of 1,500 inhabitants
Build dormitory for Toby patients
Expand garden and poultry projects
Maintain sewing and weaving projects for children and adults
Toby Andranotaratra
Support garden and poultry projects
Maintain sheep, goat, and projects
Finish construction of the toby (shelter of healing)
Toby Ambohibao
Provide financial assistance to patients and staff
Ensure supply of crucial medicines and supplies
Continue solar expansion
What is a Toby?
Tobys (“shelters”) are part of an indigenous Malagasy lay movement which help explain the vigor of the Lutheran Church in Madagascar. Administered by lay men and women (“shepherds”) who serve without pay, tobys are a safe haven for the destitute and the dying, for the mentally and physically ill, for the handicapped and addicted. People who have nowhere else to go are welcomed as family. Patients and staff move intermingled throughout the communities. Strikes us as a touching image of Christ’s Church.
Past Projects in Madagascar
During 2018-19, WGLO took part in some timely, helpful efforts. Perhaps your thoughtful support helped make them happen.
Fiaferana Toby and School
Water distribution system. Because of a drought-induced water shortage, the area water association could no longer provide water to the school and toby. WGLO supporters enabled us to contract BushProof to drill a borehole and install a sturdy pump (made with German parts). Students and patients at the toby take 10-minute turns pumping water into the tank from which water is distributed to the school, quarters of the patients and staff, dining hall, and gardens.
Construction of classrooms, installation of perimeter wall. We teamed up with parents and local leaders to construct two classrooms for the local Lutheran school and provided funds for installing a fence around the church-school perimeter.
Ankepaka Village
Borehole wells. Ankepaka villagers desperately needed a reliable supply of water. To meet the crisis and to prevent such setbacks from recurring, WGLO contracted with the BushProof Drilling Company to drill two wells. There is now a well in the village settlement and a second in the garden area.
Outdoor shelter. WGLO supporters provided the wherewithal to construct an open shelter, providing all-weather space for community activities such as tutoring children and adults, craft and sewing projects, gatherings and worship, and a safe play area for children.
