Wednesday 29 June 2011

They came from the streets, the fields and the classrooms..

MfM Trustee Martin Wilkinson has just spent a month visiting projects across the length and breadth of the Madagascar. On Martin's final day MfM Partners gathered together from across the Island, joining him to celebrate 25 years of MfM.
MfM is not renowned for throwing parties! On the contrary they pride themselves on their no-frills approach to development work, ensuring that every last penny reaches the people in greatest need. But when Akany Avoko Children’s Home offered to host a party to say thank you to MfM everyone was delighted.







Leaving behind for one evening their special needs school, homelessness projects, training programmes, primary schools, farmers and forests, representatives from large and small NGOs alike gathered for a rare opportunity to relax, exchange ideas and celebrate their achievements.
Martin, clearly touched by the event, shares his experience with us…

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Music for Madagascar

Stars of the show (left to right):



David Galvani, wife of the Deputy Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Tse, Bernadette King, Luca Galvani, Marco Galvani.


On 11th June the Williamson Art Gallery in Birkenhead echoed to the wonderful sound of music in a concert given by MfM Trustees, Supporters and Malagasy Partners.


The evening swung into song with Trustee Bernadette King, and her accompanist David Galvani performing Schubert songs, which provoked prolonged and enthusiastic applause from the audience. The second half of the concert included three pieces composed by David’s son Marco. David's younger son, Luca, also delighted the audience with his beautiful performance on the flute. Thank you boys – you surely have a great musical future !


The concert was brought to a rousing conclusion with some Malagasy piano music performed by our Partner Rahajary Tsialinarivo (a.k.a. Tse), who is the director of our Malagasy Partner NGO 'SAF'.


The evening ended with a five star buffet and a competition to guess the weight of Bernadette’s pet pig. A thoroughly good time was had by all and well over £1,000 was raised for MfM’s work in Madagascar, which is now the third poorest country on earth.


With sincerest thanks to all who made the event a great success,
Theresa Haine , Co-ordinator of MfM





Check out our 'Events' page to find out what's coming up next. Could this be your chance to get a free Bradt Guide to Madagascar?

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Ain't No Mountain High Enough...

One of the 25 summits Laura reached in support of MfM

Regular readers will remember intrepid MfM supporter Laura Sewell's plan to embark on a Lake District 25 peak challenge to celebrate Money for Madagascar's 25th anniversary.

Well, after summiting 25 peaks and covering more than 50 kilometres in just two days, Laura returned home, in one piece, and emailed us just a few days ago.
Laura's semi-conscious colleagues were too exhausted to complain as they were manhandled into a rudimentary "25"...
Despite "crazy" weather conditions and a punishing schedule, Laura successfully completed her challenge, raising more than £650 for sustainable community-lead projects in Madagascar.

Laura hopes to take the total beyond £1000 so please visit her Just Giving page at:  http://www.justgiving.com/25peaksfor25years to make a secure Gift-Aided donation.
Our hero...

Our work in pictures

Hot off the press this week is "Madagascar, our work in pictures", a multimedia presentation exploring the work of Money for Madagascar and celebrating the achievements made possible by your financial support and the tenacity and expertise of our Malagasy partners.

View the two-part video here:
Part 1

Part 2

Or on Youtube:

The video, compiled and edited by trustee Chris Sewell, is voiced by none other than his daughter, the intrepid Laura Sewell who, as we speak, is recovering from a sponsored 25 peak challenge in support of Money for Madagascar (more on that to come!).

We hope you enjoy it and please feel free to share the Youtube links with anyone you feel might be interested in our work. Alternatively, if you would like a DVD version posting to you then please contact irenee@moneyformadagascar.org.