A journey south toward a village poor but generous

The only way to reach the hilltop village of Ankaramalaza, in the far southeast of Madagascar, is to travel for days by truck across vast green and red terrain, rocking and bouncing on winding roads—sometimes unfinished, sometimes washed out by monsoon rains. You then cross the Matitinana River by boat, greeted by throngs of singing children and grinning adults.  Most of the dwellings there are simple thatch-roofed huts.  

In November 2019, a whirlwind-like fire raced through the northern part of the village, destroying at least 130 buildings and displacing 300 people (including 160 children). A recent baseline survey indicated that some families who survived the fire have taken in two additional families into their home. The Coronavirus pandemic has brought additional hardship.  See below for WGLO’s current efforts to support this struggling village.

Solidarity Fund

While WGLO doesn’t have the resources to engage in a large-scale rebuilding program, we have been able to help provide limited financial assistance to villagers who were most severely affected by the pandemic. Our Malagasy partner, Jaona Andrianasolo, has helped form a “Solidarity Fund,” designed to help keep the poorest of the poor afloat.  The program is under the general direction of Dr. Rakoto Endor Modeste (retired president of the four million-member Lutheran Church in Madagascar) and supervision of Mr. Romuald Andriamampianina (who, after 40 years’ service, retired as headmaster of the Lutheran school in Ankaramalaza).

Poultry Project

Twenty-six families are assisted by this well-run undertaking including Lutheran school teachers (who usually receive no regular stipend) receive chickens, vaccines, and discounted feed to help provide food for their families and supplement their incomes.

Crocheting for Kids

Madame Noeline teaches children crocheting after school.  They are eager to learn, and have already made small hats and bags.  Amazing!

Sewing Project

Six women have completed the beginning class and are now sewing dresses, blouses, mens’ pants and shirts, and many other items.  Madame Henrietta teaches the class by writing explanations and drawings on the board; the students copy this information to their own notebooks and draw and cut out their patterns.  Recently, six sewing machines were purchased for the project. This group sewed over 100 drawstring bags and tote bags for the Ripplesacks project. (See Items for Purchase.) 

Ankepaka Weaving Project

WGLO is sponsoring a craft and weaving project in the nearby village of Ankepaka.  Women are excited to learn weaving on a special loom and are confident they will be able to market their products. In 2019 special buildings were constructed for daily activities and storage.