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NOTE: Please do not include dollar sign or commas to separate ‘other’ specific amount, e.g. $7k = 7000.00

It was soon realised that two buildings would be ideal, as a place was also needed in a safe district for staff and volunteers to live, as well as meeting rooms for addiction recovery, Bible classes, further education, doctors and dentists to offer their services etc.

This second place would also be ideal to train people from the slums in small business such as sewing, craft, food industry, computer work, health, etc. To have space also for income generating small businesses to help with this training and to help fund the work of Thrive Madagascar would just be amazing.

Thrive Tana used to rent two buildings for the many needs to be met in Tana but at this time only I was able to be rented due to a decrease in sponsorship as well as problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As it became apparent that Thrive Tana has a diverse range of needs to be met by the use of its buildings, we started to look at how two different buildings could be purchased. With the charity of Thrive Madagascar possibly being able to purchase their own buildings, we were excited at the opportunities to help the community, not just now but with expanding visions for the future. To have the security of our own ideal places, would be a dream come true for me, the boards of Thrive Madagascar and the staff that work so passionately and tirelessly to make it all happen.

Under the guidance of Thrive staff, Alexa and I looked at many places over the 5 days. Some were not even suitable to look inside. Others were just too small, too run down, too expensive, too far away etc. I knew what was needed and it just didn’t seem to be coming together.

That is until the last day or two.

The first property to be found was located within the slum district, also called ‘the complex’.  Three stories of large rooms, that with a creative mind & some finances could also have a bathroom and kitchen on each level. The outside area has enough room to kick a soccer ball or grow a few veggies. And it all feels quite safe with its own walls surrounding the property.

Thrive Madagascar is well known and respected among the slums due to the number of people, particularly children that are helped.

I feel confident that this is the right place for the needs in this area. This home is in a great location for the poorest people of the slums to come and hang out as well as children to be fed breakfast, have extra tuition after school. etc. Even people in wheelchairs could access the property.

As we looked closer at this property, we realised that quite a lot of work still needed to be done, such as the electricity which was not wired up properly and doesn’t presently work at all! Much work is also required for the renovation/creation of bathrooms and kitchens. A water pump is required to increase the water pressure but we are thankful that there is running water at all as well as a septic tank for the sewage!

It wasn’t until the last day, as Alexa and I were headed out to the airport, that we were shown the last house. Located in a safe area of the city and walking distance to ‘the complex’ (slums), we were shown a beautiful older property on a good size block. The house was built in the 1950’s in a French style (under French rule at that time) with many wrought iron & hardwood features. With three levels of large rooms, many verandahs, bathrooms and kitchens throughout it also has a good size  yard, meandering paths, a big shade tree, great street presence and sweeping views of the city.

There is parking for 4 cars in an enclosed yard, an extra 1 bedroom small house attached and room for three small businesses underneath facing on to the road. There is also potential to expand as required. The food markets are just 200m away and it would be safe enough for visitors to walk quite freely.

This second property was just too good to be true and was beyond our budget

But we felt excited that this could be a place that would work really well. It certainly ticked all the boxes I’d written out in what was required for the ideal headquarters of Thrive Madagascar.

But God knew all along what would be best for Thrive Madagascar in Tana and with the help of some generous donors we have been able to negotiate with the 10 owners to settle on a price that is mostly attainable. There is a large work load ahead to bring this grand old home back to its former glory with the property being neglected for many years with what looks like no maintenance. There have been many different tenants in the various rooms not looking after the place very well at all.

As we move towards purchasing the two properties I know God will establish and grow our work here beyond our dreams and imaginations. All with the generous help of you, our family, friends and supporters.

Due to the paperwork required to purchase these two properties and put them in the charities name of Thrive Madagascar, the exchange rates and the large amount of work still to be done on both properties, there is a need for an additional $100,000 still to be raised.

This would enable the work of Thrive Madagascar in Tana to be well and truly established with fantastic potential to make a wonderful difference to the lives of many around them. We truly believe that God directed us to these two properties and we are excited about the future of Thrive Madagascar. I am looking forward to all that He has in store for us to help the people of Madagascar – body, soul and spirit!

I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity of being in Madagascar to find these two properties and I know Alexa has really enjoyed coming along for the ride, offering her input, wisdom and encouragement along the way.

If you would like to contribute to the final stage of enabling all this to come together, you can do this by either helping with the renovations in person or donating financially to Thrive.

As most of you would be aware, Thrive Madagascar is a registered charity in Australia as well as in Madagascar with 100% of the money donated going directly to the work there. All donations are tax-deductible.

If you would like to know more or to get involved, please contact us.

Thank you! God loves the people of Madagascar!