December 2018, Provide Education, Provide Opportunity
CELEBRATING 2018
Thrive and the people of Madagascar have achieved great things this year!
As we partner with the wonderful people we serve, advances have been made in
in education, life skills development, health and the environment.
Read also in this issue about progress with our exciting construction program.
PROGRAM UPDATES
Kids in School
Congratulations to over 100 children that you sponsored to attend school as about 80% have passed their exams and are on a path to a brighter future! We are excited about what the next few years will bring for them as they pursue their passions. They would not have had the opportunity to chase their dreams if it weren’t for you.
Children Of The Light
Three of our boys Toky, Eric, and Fitahina have spent September and October in Australia with some of our supporters, who have been helping to teach them life and job skills. They have learnt so much and have been able to experience what another culture is like. This is something that most Malagasy will never have the opportunity to do. They have grown from this experience and we have no doubt that this will open opportunities for them back in Madagascar as well as empower them to realise that their dreams are possible. We want to thank all of those who gave and were involved in making this extraordinary trip happen.
Health
Our ultrasound clinic continues to make a difference in the lives of pregnant mothers who would not have access to this service otherwise. Through this program you are helping to reduce the risk to pregnant mums and giving new lives a greater chance of survival. Through our Disability Support Group you are helping to improve the mental health of the most despised people in Madagascar. This group is giving hope, value, and purpose to those who are not highly accepted in their own community. Razafindratsimba attends this group and is 74 years old. He is currently suffering with an intense stomach pain that has stopped him from attending twice. Our support group staff have visited him and prayed for him. He has no family to take care of him and has only one leg. This is just one example of how you are bringing connection and hope through your support for this important work.
The Environment
In an exciting development, we have been blessed with the ability to plant thousands of tree seeds to encourage reforestation in Madagascar. This is a country that has very little forest left and suffers from a huge amount of erosion, which in turn affects the viability of farm land. People need to clear the land to eke out a meagre existence, and then that land is washed away during the annual monsoons as there are no trees to hold the soil together. Some of these plants will be ready to be given to local land owners from January 2019 and we plan to give away 5,000 saplings over the next 12 months. Thank you!
“
Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes
the time, and vision with action can change the world.
”
-Nelson Mandela
Construction Progress
You continue to help build needed infrastructure for the future benefit of the community we serve. Our health clinic is almost done and ready for certification. The nearest health service is an 8km walk away, and most people do not have any other form of transport. If you’re sick, making this trip is almost impossible. Having a clinic situated in the community will provide better health care to all and make it more accessible. Please ask us how you can contribute to seeing this fulfilled. Due to your partnership with Rotary Gosford and the community in Madagascar, the laying of kilometres of new piping has seen the village gain constant access to clean water. This means that the community can spend less time sourcing water and more time working the land or doing what they need to do to earn the small amount they can to provide for their families.
We are seeing life-changing outcomes all because of what you do here in Madagascar. These outcomes are making dreams come true, and possibilities once thought unachievable are now within reach.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We welcome your regular sponsorship, donations and purchases from our shop, where you may find a lovely gift there for a friend or family member.
To donate, sponsor or shop, please visit
https://thrivemadagascar.org.au/support-thrive-madagascar-projects/
Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!