Madagasikara, tena tiako! (should have posted here not under ACP)

Salama!
I fell in love with Madagascar when I was a tourist travelling across the island in 2005, when I was living in Réunion Island. I was desperate to come back in a more meaningful context. I found out about Azafady on the internet and made enquiries straightaway. I decided to finish my degree before returning. I was a pioneer the January after I graduated after having fund-raised and worked to raise the money I needed to go. It is a decision that I will never regret and has marked me to this day. Azafady has a pro-active, sensitive and determined approach to poverty alleviation and development. I loved getting to know the locals whilst building the latrine for the community hospital in Mandromondromotra. Cement mixing is hard work but improved hygiene and sanitation for the local population hugely rewarding. This project was accompanied with Azafady's team working alongside the local population to encourage safe drinking water use, we also fixed the only well in the village. A highlight was watching the local women perform role plays that spoke louder than words, using their own customs to communicate the message of the importance of clean, safe drinking water. We also worked alongside the local population in St.Luce in the reforestation project amongst other projects in Fort-Dauphin. I have returned several times to see the trees we planted, they are growing strong! I know that my money was used to benefit the direct project needs and I feel that the 3 months here opened up opportunities for what has followed. I came back and lead a team with Tearfund in the North and then ended up working for an NGO in DR Congo. My experiences with Azafady in Madagascar have been invaluable and I look forward to my next visit to this amazing island. Big shout out to my fellow pioneers too!

Misaotra betsaka Azafady! Tena tsara ny asanareo, mitahiry ny ala vo ny olo-marina. (Thank you very much Azafady! Your work is very good, protecting the forest and the people)