Covid-19 hits Madagascar

As Covid-19 hits Madagascar...
What is MfM doing to help?

MfM has moved quickly to adapt our work. We have paused activities that could spread of the Coronavirus and focussed on preventative activities that can strengthen our communities. 

MfM works with trusted Malagasy partners. In times like this, it is essential that we stick together, stay strong and help each other. From residential children’s centres to rainforest conservationists, each partner must face corona in their own way, doing their best to protect and support their staff teams and their beneficiaries. MfM is working to support our partners and raise the funds they need to face this challenge.

Here are some of the actions we are taking to respond to Covid-19 in Madagascar:

• Reinforcing public health messages in our communities
  
• Offering emergency grants to children's centres so they can still afford food and medicine despite hyperinflation.
  
• Distributing small grants to families, who cannot afford to feed their children.  This lifeline is essential until school canteens and feeding centres are allowed to reopen.
  
• Distributing small grants to families, who cannot afford to feed their children.  This lifeline is essential until school canteens and feeding centres are allowed to reopen.  
  
• Improving access to safe hand-washing facilities.
  
• Making and distributing washable facemasks. 
  
• Reducing the spike in environmental destruction and poverty that this crisis will trigger by creating new conservation jobs.
  
• As soon as possible… scaling up sustainable livelihoods training - to replace hunger and poverty with food security.

One size does not fit all…

In urban areas that are under lock-down we are working with partners like Ankizy Gasy to distribute small grants to prevent acute hunger.  In remote areas, like Melaky, there is still time to strengthen public information and health campaigns before the virus arrives.

What can be done in the rainforests?

The sudden halt to tourism is strangling livelihoods around national parks like Andasibe - Mantadia.  This is likely to trigger a spike in pressure on the forests, as redundant workers take desperate measures to feed their families.  Patrols need to be increased to protect existing forests.  Help and employment is needed for redundant workers to be able to feed their families, without needing to plunder the forests.  Scaling up conservation could be a win-win solution.  We are currently discussing with our partners how this might be done whilst adhering to government guidelines on social distancing.

When public meetings are allowed, intensified training in sustainable food-growing  will also be needed to reduce hunger, build food security and rebuild lives and livelihoods.

A single donation can help alleviate immediate hunger and suffering. A regular donation will help to rebuild lives when the peak of the crisis has passed. A legacy in your Will could underwrite our long-term commitment to these Madagascar communities. We are sincerely grateful for any support you can give. Click here to donate. Thank you.

To find out more about our Covid-19 Appeal click here. 

Lanes Vets backing MfM's Rainforest farmers

We thank the Lanes Vets for choosing to back Money for Madagascar as their charity of the year for 2020. It is wonderful to have their recognition in support of our work with vulnerable farmers in Madagascar. 

Fundraising efforts will support subsistence farmers living around Madagascar's fragile rainforest.  The forest people in Betampona used to survive by chopping down the rainforest and hunting lemurs. When forest people learn sustainable farming methods they can feed their families whilst also preserving the endangered rainforest. Small grants provide veterinary care such as vaccinations to support forest farmers.  Training and support are vital to help people to help themselves. This project will help lift vulnerable people out of poverty , whilst also helping conserve Madagascar’s unique Betampona Rainforest

To find out more click here , or for ideas for how you can fundraise for this project click here. 

MfM and MIA Green Partnership

MIA, short for Made in Africa, is a chocolate company that creates ethically sourced and locally manufactured chocolate in Madagascar. 

MIA launched it's 'One for Change' with MfM in 2018 in which they committed to reinvesting 1% of their profits back into community-based projects that help tackle poverty in Madagascar.  To complement ths vital social work, MIA has now launched their MIA Green programme, which commits to off-setting carbon from chocolate shipments, by investing in Money for Madagascar's reforestation programme. MfM has ambitions to plant 200,000 trees to help restore Madagascar's unique Andasibe-Mantadia rainforest and is delighted to have MIA on board to help us achieve this goal.  

MfM and MIA are committed to integrating the local people into their schemes, so the planted trees can flourish along with the people. The Green Program partnership has been featured in the March edition of Kennedy’s Confection – The UK’s oldest chocolate confectionery magazine!

The full feature can be found in the March edition of Kennedy's Confection, with more information on the scheme and goals.

MIA’s website can be found here, with more information on MIA Green found here.

MIA Chocolate: Carbon Capture and Conservation in Madagascar

MIA Chocolate is a company who craft all their items in Africa, namely Madagascar. MIA Green is their new program, implemented underneath their 1 for Change fund, in which 1% of company sales will go towards tree planting and rebuilding lemur habitats in Madagascar.

Money for Madagascar (MfM) is proud to partner with MIA and our initial contribution will fund 60 trees. Tree replanting is close to our forest-friendly sustainable livelihood activities. Brett Beach, the co-founder of MIA has been interviewed on the Confectionary News podcast, discussing the importance of sustainability and the MIA Green program. You can listen to it here. We look forward to seeing the future development of this program and partnership!

Learn more about MIA Green here.

Gwin Dylanwad Wine and Pair a Privy

One of our regular supporters, Dylan Rowlands has recently celebrated his 60th birthday! Dylan's 60th birthday marks a century since his great grandfather, Thomas Rowlands, died. Thomas spent over 50 years working in Madagascar helping local Malagasy and wrote books about his experiences.

Dylan owns a cellar shop, café and bar in Wales. The wine shop has wines sourced from across the globe, with only the highest quality of wines chosen.


In memory of his great grandfather and as a support to Money for Madagascar (MfM), Dylan has themed the front of his shop around our Pair a Privy appeal which involves raising funds to purchase a lifesaving toilet block for an isolated school in Madagascar.

We thank Dylan for his generosity and look forward to seeing what he will achieve with his fundraising.


If any MfM supports are in the area, why not try out Dylan's fine wines and lovely food.














Dylan's website

Pair a Privy Appeal

80 Years

of Walking the Walk

Theresa and friends of MfM Walking for Madagascar 2013 

Theresa is celebrating a life-time of 'walking the walk' for Madagascar by walking 80 miles for 80 years of her life... trekking  along Britain's iconic Hadrian's Wall. Please join in by sponsoring Theresa.https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jtheresa-haine
Theresa will be joined by MfM Patron, Hilary Bradt (Author of the Bradt Guide to Madagascar) and other MfM supporters. If you fancy joining her along the way check out the itinerary below. 

MAFAIJIJO SCHOOL WELL PROJECT

Craft Stall in Cockermouth (Sat 8th Dec)

Money for Madagascar have a Craft stall at Wild Zuccini in Cockermouth this Saturday 8th December.  All our supporters are welcome to come along and support us between 10am and 3pm.

FUNDRAISER – Saturday 1^st December

Jan and Charlie are holding a fundraiser in support of Money for Madagascar at their home this Saturday 1^st December between 11 am and 11 pm at 11 Parkway Road, Dudley, DY1 2QA.  Lots of Madagascan Music, Food, Craft Goods and Christmas gifts will be available.  All supporters in the area are welcome to join them.  Come along and get some wonderful Madagascan xmas gifts whilst supporting this worthwhile charity.

Wales-Madagascar

Bicentenary Concert

Here are some more photos from the concert - more are available here:

Niddum Ensemble

Paddy Bush and Justin Vali

Craft stall