Madagascar President visits UK

President of the Republic of Madagascar, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, is to making a landmark visit to the United Kingdom today, as part of a wider effort to develop relations between Madagascar and the UK. During his visit, which starts on Monday, September 4^th 2017, President Hery and his delegation will attend events including a trade investment forum and an event at Kew Gardens. He is also expected to formally announce the re-opening of a Malagasy embassy in London.

Madagascar’s former embassy in London closed in 2005 with diplomatic responsibilities since being managed by the country’s UK consulate and the British High Commission in Mauritius. As part of efforts to develop UK – Malagasy relations reports have been circulating that Madagascar are planning to reopen an embassy in London, with some reports suggesting that a building has been secured. If this is confirmed as expected during President Hery’s visit on Monday this will represent a major step in establishing further diplomatic and trade partnerships between the two countries.

During his visit President Hery is also scheduled to make a keynote address to the Madagascar Trade and investment forum in London which aims to attract international investment into Madagascar and showcase the opportunities the country has to offer. The President is also expected attend a special event at Kew Gardens, which undertakes vital work to conserve Madagascar’s unique flora and recent held the 2017 ‘State of the World’s Plants’ symposium with a special focus on Madagascar. Finally the community of Malagasy residents in Britain as well as the Anglo-Malagasy Society have been invited to meet the presidential delegation at a service of thanksgiving at Lumen United Reformed Church today.

Lancaster Royal Grammar School’s Lenten Appeal

Every year students at Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS) raise money for local, national, and international charities and this year students chose to help MFM and its continuing work in protecting and preserving Madagascar’s unique environment, promoting and assisting the sustainable development of Malagasy communities, and securing a better future for the people of Madagascar. MfM director Irenee Rajaona-Horne was invited to attend a cheque presentation and lunch at LRGS on the 4^th July where she met students and staff who organised and took part in fundraising activities.

Money for Madagascar was among charities who received a share of £16,000 raised by students at LRGS.

The boys managed to raise a grand total of £16,000 which was distributed between a few select charities, including £2625.00 which was given to MFM. This donation will help fund vital projects to preserve some of Madagascar’s unique species and habitats. The extreme poverty in Madagascar means that enormous pressure is placed on its environment including mass deforestation, and the risk of extinction to thousands of species found nowhere else on earth.

The Indri Indri Lemur is endemic to the Andasibe National Park where this donation will help fund conservation efforts

Thanks to the students’ efforts, MFM can support projects such as those run by our partner Mitsinjo who are planting precious wildlife corridors to help preserve the distinctive flora and fauna around Madagascar’s Andasibe National Park, such as the Indri Indri Lemur which is endemic to this forest. Projects such as those being run by Mitsinjo are vital for securing and protecting Madagascar’s environment and MFM could not do what it does without the amazing fundraising efforts of our supporters.

Workers at Mitsinjo who are working to restore flora around Andasibe National Park.

MFM would like to give a huge thank you to students and staff for all their incredible efforts in organising and planning fundraising activities which will so greatly benefit the Malagasy people. The students' enthusiasm for fundraising and supporting our charity was inspirational and MFM looks forward to working with LRGS in the future.

If you would like to find out more about MFM’S projects and work, or would like to make a donation, please visit www.moneyformadagascar.org

Written by John Garman

A love of Lemurs leads to making a real difference in Madagascar

Back in February, Patricia Wright – a renowned primatologist and Anthropologist at Stony Brook University – visited Luther College, Iowa (both USA). This may seem quite ordinary between American academics, what makes this visit special then? – the subject. In her lecture and following events, Wright told of her personal love for Lemurs, her academic work in Biology and also how she had helped found Madagascar’s Ranomafana National Park.

 

Professor Wright is acclaimed for conservation and biology in Madagascar, specialising in the social nature of Lemurs. In this lecture she highlighted how females play a central role in groups, also she explored the history of Lemurs in Madagascar and how they manage today – and of course, how we can help them survive.

The positives of this talk? Students claimed they had a greater sense of personal growth and were more aware of how sometimes seemingly small acts can make a big difference to countries like Madagascar.

Students heard of not only the immense work which Professor Wright has done, but also about the importance of getting a balance between supporting both the rainforests that the Lemurs inhabit, alongside solving social problems. Wright made it clear that to help maintain the unique natural environment, the local people must be taken into account and supported too.  

This is also the approach of MFM – supporting the local people - enabling them to survive, thrive and appreciate the unique landscape and species. MFM is proud to help provide some of the things which Wright stressed the importance of – such as health care, education, information and financial support to start alternative livelihoods. 

If you would like to know more about the work of MFM, or if you could make a donation which would help make a direct impact on both the lives of the Malagasy people and the Lemurs that they live alongside, please visit:

https://www.moneyformadagascar.org

Sources –

(Both accessed 11/04/2017)

http://www.lutherchips.com/3212/news/wright-lectures-on-lemurs-female-empowerment/  

5/04/2017

http://www.tcnjsignal.net/2017/03/28/documentary-and-lecture-tell-lemurs-tale/

28/03/2017

- Written by Matthew Ward -

The Lemur: Madagascar's most famous resident!

Madagascar is the home to many amazing species of animals and plants, so much so that around 75% (1) of species are unique to Madagascar. Many of these species inhabit the remote rainforests, mostly on the east coast. Due to the difficultly in locating, accessing and studying the ecosystems of Madagascar, one thing is certain - there is always something new to learn!

Now, if there is one inhabitant of Madagascar which has captivated many - yes, it is the lemur! There are currently around 60 ‘known’ species of Lemur (not to mention sub-species), and the latest news is that scientists discover yet another species of one of Madagascar’s favourite inhabitants.

In the North, a new species has been found and named the ‘Sheth’s Dwarf Lemur’- after Brian Sheth, a prominent conservationist. This has been a surprising discovery as most Dwarf Lemur species have been found predominantly in the eastern rainforests.

https://news.mongabay.com/2017/02/new-species-of-dwarf-lemur-discovered-in-madagascar/ Mongaby.com 07 Feb. 2017

Some interesting facts about this lemur? It is predominantly nocturnal and certainly small – around 16 - 17 cm long with a 16 cm long tail. It weighs only around 100 grams (2). This is also the ninth known species of Dwarf Lemur (3).

There are many details about this genus to clarify, and much work still to do. The Sheth’s Dwarf Lemur is fortunate – inhabiting protected areas bordering two national parks. The scientists who made this discovery though, were quick to mention that it is crucial that these areas are supported and remain ‘reserved’.

Money For Madagascar is acutely aware that to help the environment of this unique country, the people must be considered too. When the hungry or poor can find no other way to survive, then the  forests and wildlife become their main resource. So, Money For Madagascar works to ensure that people can survive without needing to exploit the land. Alongside this, MFM also plays an influential role in conservation itself – replanting forest corridors which the lemurs inhabit, and supporting communities that live around the forests, ensuring they get what they need without turning to the environment to survive.

If you would like to know more about MFM’s work, both to help the Malagasy people and to preserve this unique land, please see our website - https://www.moneyformadagascar.org,  our blog - http://moneyformadagascar.blogspot.co.uk/ ,

or consider making a donation – any money you give will go straight to those who need it, ensuring Malagasy people have less need to exploit the rainforest to get their daily needs.

(1)  WWF

(2)  Facts from https://news.mongabay.com/2017/02/new-species-of-dwarf-lemur-discovered-in-madagascar/

(3)  Wikipedia

 Contributed by Matthew Ward

Stride into the Tide

Join us for a knees-up in Morecambe Bay! 

 Back by popular demand…. MfM supporters will once again stride into the tide of Morecambe Bay on the 14th of July 2013. Our last stride across Morecambe’s alluring quick sands raised over £3000 to fund education for boys locked up in Toamasina prison.

This year we have booked the ‘Queen’s Guide to the Sands’ to accompany an exclusive party of Akany Avoko and MfM supporters on this iconic adventure.This is a rare opportunity to step out onto the shimmering sands of Morecambe Bay, admire the backdrop of majestic mountains and maybe find some Ambergris (Whale sick!). This beachcomber’s jackpot is highly valued by the perfume industry. Last week a beachcomber found a piece of Ambergris worth £100,000 in Morecambe Bay! So keep your eyes peeled.

As well as being a fun day for a good cause this is a golden opportunity not to be missed. This year our guide, Cedric Robinson, is celebrating 50 years of guiding people across Morecambe's infamous sinking sands. Although the sea air has clearly defied Cedric from aging, one day, sooner or later, Cedric will retire, taking with him the secret of the sands and the art of how to cross them. 

Places on the walk are in high demand with supporters from Cambridge, Oxford, London,  The Wirral, Llangadog and Madagascar already signed up. Local Lancastrians aged 8 to 80 are also limbering up - including parties from Lancaster Girls Grammar School, Quernmore Primary School, University of Cumbria Pre-school, Lancaster Millenium Choir and Lancaster Quakers.

Please do support the big MfM Stride into the Tide on the 14^th of July either by joining us for the knees-up or sponsoring someone else to get their pants wet!  Advanced booking is essential by contacting irenee@moneyformadagascar.org. More details will soon be featured on the Events page of this blog. 

Madagascar Bird Life Calendar Takes Off!

MfM has just launched its new Madagascar Birdlife Calendar 2013.  Made up of stunning photos donated by the wildlife photographer Mike Harrison, the calendar celebrates the beauty and diversity of Madagascar’s birdlife much of which, as with all the country’s flora and fauna, is endangered. 

Calendar Sneak Preview

Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina madagascariensis) 

A diminutive (15cm) Kingfisher endemic to the forests of Madagascar. 

The calendar also tells success stories from 26 years of Money for Madagascar’s work supporting low-cost, community led initiatives in the big red island.  The stories show the many ways in which MfM has made a radical difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities.

 Calendar Sneak Preview

Thanks to sponsorship, Malala has a loving home at Akany Avoko and enjoys fun and  stimulating lessons at La Source Special Needs School.

This is a unique calendar that will be treasured by anyone who loves wildlife – and particularly by birdwatchers. Please feel free to copy this to birdwatching friends – or perhaps put them on your Christmas list for a calendar! Calendars are £8.50 each inclusive of UK postage & packaging or £10 to be sent outside the UK. To order a calendar please send a cheque payable to ‘Money for Madagascar’ to Madagascar Calendars, 15 Kelly’s Drive, Oxford, OX331NT.  Alternatively you can order your calendars on-line from www.moneyformadagascar.org when our new shop goes live in November. 

 Legendary Birds of Madagascar

Tales of exotic and unique species of birds in Madagascar have been around for many centuries. In the thirteenth century Marco Polo described the giant rukh of enormous size with a wing span of thirty paces and the strength to lift an elephant. This is the stuff of folklore but there is a morsel of truth in the tale from the Arabian Nights of the great egg, as big as a house, found by Sinbad the Sailor which, when broken, brought fury and destruction to his ship.  Viewers of David Attenborough’s  ‘Zoo Quest’ will recall his discovery of hundreds of broken egg shells in a dry river bed in Madagascar’s south. Painstaking reconstruction showed them to be the remnants of the eggs of the flightless elephant bird, the Aepyornis.  Ostrich-like and up to ten feet tall, it was the heaviest bird ever to have lived.  

While folklore will have played its part in exaggerating the size and power of the Aepyornis, there is no doubt that the creature is now extinct. Not so with several of Madagascar’s birds today. Many, like the Madagascar Pochard, have been reported extinct only to be rediscovered in small numbers a few years later.  Several of the birds featured in the calendar are endangered and face a perilous future.

Money for Madagascar believes that a bright future awaits both the Malagasy people and the island’s rich bio-diversity if they can co-exist in harmony.  Our commitment is to strive, with your help, to make this a reality.  Each calendar sold will raise £3.50 towards changing lives and conserving biodiversity in Madagascar.