DOULOS in Toamasina Madagascar 2005

September 27th ~ October 11th, 2005
Highlights: (quoted fr www.doulos.org)
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world with a population of about 17 million inhabitants. A survey conducted a month ago determined that 47% of the population are illiterate, revealing many possibilities for the ship's objectives of promoting literacy and education. Two important local leaders warmly welcomed Doulos to Madagascar. "The visit of the ship to Madagascar is a privilege and blessing for the Malagasy people," said His Excellency Mr Rasolehery, who represented the president of the senate. "As the representative of the president of the senate, I wish you a successful visit!" Mr Rasolehery also expressed his hope that when the ship returned, there would be at least one citizen of Madagascar on board. "We are friends!" exclaimed His Excellency Professor Emile Tsizaraina, governor of the province, who also welcomed the vessel to Toamasina. He remembered the visit of the vessel ten years ago and thanked the ship for returning again. "I will not leave the ship as I came in," he shared. "I'm changed by my time on board." The governor also voiced his hope that the people of Madagascar would learn from the crewmembers. "There is no place for strife and fighting on board and that's what we want to see in us."

There are over 3,000 people of Chinese descent living in Madagascar. One of them, Joseph Li, has lived in Madagascar for over five years and was quite impressed with the special programme organised for the Chinese community in Toamasina. The event, titled, 'Fulfilled Life, Is It Possible?' was filled to capacity as tickets were snapped up as soon as they were available to the public. "I thought it was very good," said Joseph. Many of the programme participants also visited the book fair where books on Chinese cooking proved to be very popular.


Over the weekend, over 18,000 visitors came on board, swamping the book fair. Most of the titles on board are heavily discounted in recognition of the fact that many in the local community have very limited resources. Add to that the novelty of having ice cream on the world's oldest ocean going passenger ship and it becomes apparent why there was such a long queue at the book fair coffee bar.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Madagascar
• DOULOS
• NPO
• ship
• Toamasina
• books
• volunteers
• international
• Christians
• Daniel
• Chae
• teams

[greenpenguin1995]

does anyone know where i can find a video about the cultural types of dances from madagascar and the malagasy people?

[DragonToes13]

well, not all , but not as much as I'd like

[DragonToes13]

all I have at the moment is a Ethnologue report for Madagascar-

[DragonToes13]

wheas the Malay-polynesian groups I see some

but I wan to see a village