Aye Aye!

Madagascar’s aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is the world’s largest nocturnal primate and probably the weirdest too. If you go out for a Malagasy moonlit stroll you are very unlikely to find one of these Near Threatened lemurs. So peculiar is their behaviour that it is hard to believe that they are distant relatives of ours! If you want to see them in action check out recent BBC films such as ‘Last Chance To See’, ‘Deadly 60’ or this clip from ‘Predators’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Aye-aye#p009yp79.The community conservation work of Money for Madagascar has inspired one of our supporters to write this ode to an Aye Aye.

The Finger

Can I really be looking

at a close cousin

sharing the same home planet?

More ET than aye-aye

rapidly

pecking

with its witchy middle digit

on a treetrunk in the dark,

pressing damp hairy snout

close to the bark

ready to sniff out

the grub, gnaw the rotten wood, insinuate

that dark, elongated

twig of a middle finger deep

along beetle tunnels till the tip

senses the cowering larva, impales

fat flesh on one horny nail

whips it out, pushes it

between thick

lips, rolls up its orange stare in ecstasy

so like that look of glee

with which George Melly

covering Bessie Smith

would dip his fingertip into an imaginary

jelly roll

or sugar bowl

then suck in bliss.

Had the ancients met the lemur

when they dubbed the middle finger

digitus impudicus?

had they been discomposed

by that same nocturnal glare

when they proposed

obscene gesture -

giving the bird, showing the fica -

as one way to avert

the evil eye (aye)?

had they ever supposed

one could feel pity for a maggot?

Thanks to Stevie Krayer for sending in her poem.

Can rice save the Madagascar forests?

In the Betampona forest of Madagascar our MfM team has been teaching SRI rice production for over a decade. Instead of cutting down rainforest to expand their rice fields, farmers have been able to feed their growing families by growing rice more intensively in the land that they have. Thanks to this new technique the farmers of Betampona are producing between 5 and 7 times more rice than they used to. At last they can enjoy improved food security (enough rice to eat!) without needing to slash down the forest and wipe-out endangered species. In addition MfM is helping farmers to diversify their crops so they can feed their families well throughout the whole year. Families in 73 villages surrounding this special forest reserve are now producing surplus crops like rice, vegetables, wood, honey, palm trees, coffee, fruit and spices, so they can generate cash to pay for medicines and education for their children.

5 years ago MfM's work in Betampona was recognised by the Malagasy Government as a 'model' project to be emulated across Madagascar. But progress has been slow. While the price of rice has doubled in the past 2 years, much has been left to humble NGOs working with scattered communities to try to help the Malagasy to grow enough rice to eat. But with the Malagasy Government making SRI rice production a 'priority' in 2011, could there be hope to bring improved food security to Malagasy people?

Follow this link to feature on SRI rice production in Madagascar:
IRIN Africa MADAGASCAR: The “less is more” philosophy of rice production Madagascar Economy Environment Food Security

Silk moth rediscovered by SEPALI

The rediscovery of the Ceranchia silk moth brings a flutter of excitement to fledgling farmers in the North East of Madagascar

In 2011 MfM was delighted to team up with a Malagasy conservation and development NGO called SEPALI. Tapping into Madagascar’s rich heritage of silk weaving, SEPALI has launched a project to conserve forests and relieve rural poverty in the North East of Madagascar through the production of wild silk.

Madagascar suffers from acute poverty, environmental decimation with desperate suffering as a consequence. This project enables farmers to earn a living in an environmentally beneficial way. Silk cultivation is a win-win development project for both people and their environment, because in order to produce silk you need to plant trees and look after your local environment so that silk moths will thrive. By helping farmers living on the edge of a ‘Protected Area’ this project helps to preserve endangered species in 2 ways: Primarily, the cultivation of wild silk requires farmers to improve and protect their land and value the eco-system around them. Secondarily, farmers are less likely to need to encroach on the Protected Area if they have an alternative source of income.

So far 69 men and 57 women from 6 poor farming communities on the edge of the Makira Protected Area have each been given 250 indigenous trees to plant. Already 15,000 trees have been planted. In 2 years time these trees will become the host plants for the farmers’ silk worms. In between these trees farmers are planting vegetable crops to reduce predators on the silk moth larvae as well as providing much needed food for themselves. The results of this project will be: silk to sell, food to eat and a well cared-for local eco-system.

Of course the farmers aren’t just sitting around waiting for their trees to grow! As well as planting and tending their trees and crops, the farmers are making the equipment they will need for silk production, meeting to exchange ideas and train new farmers and even rediscovering a forgotten species of silk moth! The rediscovery of the Ceranchia silk moth by SEPALI in 2011 opens up potential for producing new silk products.

Meanwhile, in the US, project pioneer Dr Craig is exploring markets for SEPALI’s exotic new silk products including garments, furnishing and jewellery made from pressed silk cocoons.

With this dress made from pressed silk cocoons making it on to a New York catwalk this year, the SEPALI team is excited by potential new interest in their products.

We look forward to sharing more news from Makira as we follow the story of the farmers who are trying to improve their environment and their livelihoods with the help of indigenous silk moths.

Madagascar Golden Orb Spider proves spinning threads of gold is not just an old yarn.

Have you heard that the golden silk produced by over a million Malagasy Golden Orb Spiders has been woven into the most stunning spider-silk golden cape and 4 metre long shawl. It’s true! These unique spider-spun garments have just have just been revealed in an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The exquisite beauty of these intricately woven garments is a testament to the incredible skill of Madagascar’s finest weavers. Traditionally weaving ceremonial shawls or ‘lamba’ from raffia, cotton and silk, these highly skilled weavers have turned their hand to spiders’ silk with stunning effect.

Follow the link below to see the garments and hear an interview with ‘spidermen’ Simon Peers and Nicholas Godley, the masters behind this fantastical project.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/today/hi/today/newsid_9677000/9677046.stm

If you’re intrigued by the ingenious silk producers of Madagascar, watch this space for our home-spun story from our new project in Makira - revealing the discoveries of the silk specialists of SEPALI .

Happy New Year! 'Tratry ny Taona 2012'

Looking back on 2011, Money for Madagascar would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who supported our anniversary year. Whether you ran, sang, cycled, ate, waded, knitted, danced or simply made a donation...thank you for joining in our big celebration of 25 years of helping the poorest people of Madagascar.
The money raised by these events has helped us to build new classrooms in Fianarantsoa, start a programme to feed and educate children in prison in Toamasina, launch a vocational training programme for vulnerable teenaged girls in Tana and fund a community conservation project in Melaky in addition to our on-going work protecting vulnerable people and endangered environments.

Looking forward to 2012 -Watch this space for inside stories coming soon from each of these life-changing projects that you have helped to fund.

With warmest wishes to all our supporters from the MfM team.

A day to remember!

On November the 12th trustees, patrons and partners of Money for Madagascar were joined by hundreds of supporters to celebrate the charity's 25th birthday. 

The event, took place at Union Chapel, Islington and began with a morning of exhibitions and speeches by beneficiaries, patrons and fundraisers, followed by a scrumptious Malagasy meal.

Patron, and world-renowned expert on the history and culture of Madagascar, Sir Mervyn Brown made a fascinating, moving and humorous speech celebrating 25 years of MfM's work before joining with long-term Money for Madagascar partner Yvette Rabemila to cut one of two cakes cooked to perfection by Julie Verney, our Co-ordinator's sister.

Once the delicious cake had been demolished, guests were treated to a magical afternoon of Malagasy music performed by inspirational Malagasy singer-songwriter Nogabe Randriaharimalala and his band of international musicians. In addition to performing many spellbinding songs about his home country Nogabe also unveiled a song inspired by and featuring the work of Akany Avoko, a Children's home supported by MfM for many years. Appropriately enough, this inspired spontaneous dancing in the aisles by some very young children - to the great delight of the audience.
 

In addition to being a wonderful celebration of many years of hard work, partnership, generosity and positive change, the event also helped raise much needed funds to support ongoing and future development projects on the Red Island. 

Money for Madagascar are incredibly thankful to all the guests, supporters, patrons, beneficiaries and performers who worked together to make the day such a huge success. We would also like to offer our deepest gratitude to both the Grown Up Chocolate Company who made the event possible and Mad Flavours who were responsible for preparing the hundreds of incredible Malagasy meals eaten on the day.  Our thanks also go out to the staff of Union Chapel who, through their hard work, courtesy and initiative, ensured that the day ran smoothly and safely.


We enjoyed the day so much we're already starting to think about our 50th anniversary. Although coming up with  a way to top the excitement, warmth and sheer fun of our 25th birthday party may well take us a good few years to achieve!

Recognition for Theresa

Monday the 17th of October saw the Annual Women of the Year Lunch take place at the InterContinental Hotel in London. For 56 years this ceremony has celebrated the contribution of "exceptional women who have each proved an inspiration to others through their courage, selflessness and dedication." 

MfM Coordinator and "Women of the Year" Invitee Theresa Haine

This year the ceremony had an extra-special significance for all of us here at Money for Madagascar because, rubbing shoulders with luminaries such as Maureen Lipman, Sandi Toksvig, Bianca Jagger, Esther Rantzen, Sue MacGregor, Juliet Stevenson, Shirley Williams, Joanna Trollope and Lulu, was our very own Coordinator Theresa Haine.

Theresa declared herself "moved, honoured and rather overwhelmed" to find herself among the select group of extra-ordinary women from around the UK whose achievements and contribution to the community were celebrated during a heart-warming, inspiring and emotional ceremony.

Theresa (far left)  with some of her fellow "Women of the Year"

Invited in recognition of more than two decades of work supporting vulnerable people and communities in Madagascar, Theresa was proud to attend on behalf of the many inspirational people who have helped raise funds for Money for Madagascar through the years. She also followed in the footsteps of her mother who herself was a past invitee to the  "Women of the Year"  Lunch in recognition of her work during the Second World War.


Having hugely enjoyed the touching and at times extremely humorous contributions of the guest speakers and shared a table with a number of cast members of the Archers, Theresa's highlight of the day was the attendance of suffragette Hettie Dorlan who was honoured at the ceremony. Theresa takes up the story: "Hettie, who is now 106 years old, was out in Trafalgar Square demonstrating for peace last month! She got a prolonged standing ovation and was presented with a huge basket of flowers.  I just felt it was a privilege to be in the same room as her."

Theresa at the awards.

Speaking of the ceremony, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, President of the Women of the Year, said: “The magic of this event is that it does what no other awards ceremony manages to do. It brings together the most fabulous women from the widest range of geographical, social, ethnic and political backgrounds – from the very well-known to unsung heroines doing outstanding work in their community... Their achievements, dedication and passion are an inspiration to women everywhere, encouraging us all to fulfill our ambitions, support others and stand up for what we believe in.”

All of us here at Money for Madagascar take great pleasure in congratulating Theresa and also offering our heartfelt thanks to the many friends, donors and  supporters whose kindness and dedication has helped achieve so much. 

Turning miles into smiles

Throughout our 25th anniversary year supporters of Money for Madagascar have run, cycled, waded and hiked hundreds of miles to raise thousands of pounds for people and communities half a world away. So busy has this blog been following their exploits that we've barely had time to stop for breath and focus on what the hard work of our irrepressible supporters has made possible.

Vulnerable young women enjoying a chance to learn new skills thanks to the hard work of MfM supporters

For many years Money for Madagascar has supported the work of "The Sisters of the Good Shepherd" in Antananarivo. These inspirational women offer support, education and care to some of the hundreds of homeless and destitute people who struggle to scrape a living on the streets of Antananarivo. Having spent years helping children and families the Sisters have long wished to expand their activities to offer hope and new opportunities to the many impoverished and homeless young women of Antananarivo who, lacking a basic education and career prospects, face a stark choice between starvation, crime or prostitution.


Thanks to the combined efforts of the Creedon Brothers and MfM Patron, Hilary Bradt, this month sees the launch of a programme of vocational training aimed at providing the vital career skills needed to begin lifting vulnerable young women between the ages of 14 and 16 out of poverty. Thanks to blood, sweat and tears of Andrew, Jonathan and Hilary and the amazing generosity of those who sponsored them, this week forty teenage girls have started a programme of education which will boost their skills and confidence and ultimately, we hope, lead them into paying employment and stable, happy futures.


As well as learning traditional skills such as dress-making and catering, participants in the course will also study Information Technology and receive coaching and counselling to help give them the best possible chance once they enter the labour market.
On hearing the news that enough money had now been raised to begin this long wished-for programme Sister Annamma, head of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, wrote to us to say "On behalf of all the team here, thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for this good news. We will make sure we keep you up to date with all our progress. A thousand thanks for your generosity and kindness".

A delighted Sister Annamma, head of the Centre Fihavanana, home of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

This vocational training programme will continue for three years and help change the lives of eighty homeless and destitute young women who would otherwise have faced harsh futures of deprivation, crime or worse. We hope that Andrew, Jonathan, Hilary and the many friends, family and colleagues who supported them share our joy in giving some of the world's most vulnerable young people a chance to escape poverty and, for the first time in their lives, begin to have hope for the future.


Of course Hilary and the Creedon Brothers were not the only heroes to have sacrificed their soles (or saddles) on behalf of the people of Madagascar this year. Stay tuned to the blog to hear more news of how the Olympian efforts of other supporters have helped change lives in Madagascar.


STOP PRESS: Not content with having run the London 10k and hurled herself out of an aeroplane so far this year MFM patron Hilary Bradt will be running the Great South Run on October the 30th. Please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Hilary-Bradt if you haven't already!

Extreme Commuting!

Jonathan and Andrew Creedon

Matt Townend and his "Chain Gang" weren't the only bonkers bikers putting their bodies on the line for Money for Madagascar over August Bank Holiday Weekend. On the 26th of August brothers Andrew and Jonathan Creedon embarked on an epic commute from Andrew's London Office to his home, 270 miles away in Liverpool, by bicycle!

Andrew and Jonathan set off from Andrew's London Office

Over the course of three days the Creedon brothers clocked up over 25 hours in the saddle, burned off 8,700 calories, battled daunting headwinds, and, en route, raised more than £2000 for vulnerable people and communities in Madagascar!

The dynamic duo reach the home straight

With a total of £2286 raised to date, an impressive 91% of their overall target, Andrew said ‘I am really pleased with amount we have raised, Ecclesiastical have contributed £500 towards the total and this has made a real difference. Money for Madagascar is a small charity that predominantly helps children in Madagascar in terms of providing funds for Schools, health and other support. All the money that goes to this charity gets spent in Madagascar with next to nothing going on admin expenses.'

If you would like to reward Andrew and Jonathan's Herculean efforts by sponsoring them then please visit the Just Giving website:http://marketing.willis.com/lz/lz.aspx?p1=T051S20616816&CC=&w=1888&cID=0&cValue=1 and make a donation.

Money for Madagascar would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Andrew, Jonathan and the many friends and family who helped make their expedition such a success. Your donations will make a world of difference to some of the poorest people and most precious natrual habitats in the world.

Several of our recent blog-posts have focused on the incredible fundraising efforts of supporters like the Creedon Brothers. Stay tuned for our next article that will feature the individuals and communities in Madagascar whose lives will be changed by the money raised.

874 Miles for Madagascar!

We are delighted to report that Matt Townend has successfully completed his sponsored cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.  Matt set off with his two companions, Tom Firth and Dan McLachlan on Saturday 27th August and arrived, drenched from two hours of driving rain at 6.45pm on Saturday 3^rd September.

Dan and team set off from Land's End

874 miles in 8 days is a remarkable and extremely punishing pace. Matt was surprised when ‘The Chaingang’,  as they called themselves,   finally arrived to be told that 8 days was very unusual and that most did it in 10 !!  More respect and admiration all round!

"Gruelling" hardly begins to cover it...

The trio’s diary, written a few days after arriving in rain-soaked John O’Groats gives a hint of the pain and discomfort of the ride as well as the great sense of camaraderie that developed:

"Days have passed since we finally touched the sodden, lonely turf of John O' Groats - days of locomotion without the need for pedals, and seats with more substance than a cattle grid. We can still feel the chinstrap of our helmets burrowing into our throats, and perambulation remains an uncomfortable experience…….

All in all the experience was unique: eight superb days of camaraderie and hilarity tempered with healthy doses of reality, brutality and sheer exhaustion. Unimaginable before mastered and unmissable now it's done."

Yet another puncture

En route the trio had to face many challenges including infuriatingly frequent punctures, broken gears, buckled wheels, tender knees and a very sore Achilles’ heel. On the final day in the Highlands one of the team’s derailleur gears broke and had to be removed, leaving him to cycle in one fixed gear for 12 miles until rescued by a highland bike mechanic called Wim. He was, as they say, ‘a legend’. With a completely new bike they set off for a final assault on the last 90 miles. Despite an evil coastal headwind, lashing rain and some massive hills they reached John O’Groats within six and a half hours.

Our hearty congratulations and thanks to Matt for completing his amazing feat and for donation half his sponsorship to Money for Madagascar.  It’s not too late to add to Matt’s sponsorship. You can still donate on-line at: http://www.justgiving.com/matthew-townend1

Matt and his trumphant team-mates

Stay posted to the Money for Madagascar blog for news of the intrepid Creedon Brothers who have also been putting their legs (and saddles) on the line to raise money for vulnerable people and habitats in Madagascar in their own cycle challenge.