Paper Fashion Show

March. 14, 2013 text and photos by Kate Bialous

A part of a routine day in Akany Avoko is a fun activity organised for our children by the volunteers. Every afternoon kids wait for the bell to ring to announce an activity time. Usually children draw, color or paint, play different sports or go for a walk in the village.

Volunteers always try hard to engage the kids and involve them in many creative activities, giving them opportunity to discover and develop their talents as well as learn new skills.

Recently we were all guests at the very special fashion show. Designers and models were our primary school kids but the clothes were made of old newspapers. All the outfits were very inventive. Some had African influences and other were more western style.

The show was also a competition. There were 5 teams who worked 90 minutes on their projects. At the end, models presented their costumes as professionals, walking on the catwalk with audience applause and to the accompaniment of a music.

Finally there were 5 winners as it wouldn't be too fair to only choose one!

Contemporary Dance Performance

Click here or the pictures to see photos in a larger format.

Nov. 16, 2012 text and photos by Chad Lebo

Where can you go to see world-class contemporary dancers? Well, this week could have gone to our dining hall. The children were treated to a special performance by the Rary Dance Company. Based in Madagascar, this group tours Europe and mainland Africa, and this week is doing 2 shows at the Goethe Institute in Antananarivo. But they are not alone. Some of our children will be joining the stage  with them at tonights performance.

Christmas Show 2011 [Video]

Jan. 7, 2012 Video and Text by Chad Lebo

Pictures and words can only go so far. If you want to really see and hear what our 2011 Annual Christmas Show was like, please watch the video. It is a high resolution video, so if you want to choose a larger size it will still be lovely.

Enjoy.

Music Maker

Sammy playing one of the more than 20 different instruments used in the concert.

Nov. 3, 2011 Text and Photos by Chad Lebo

If people start asking for our children's autographs soon, we will understand. 

As part of a 6 month music project, our children will be recording a music CD. They actually "hit the studio" for the first time yesterday. But they are not alone on the CD. They are being led by the famed Malagasy musician Sammy Andriamalalaharijaona. 

Sammy is a virtuosic instrumentalist of international renown. Not only can he play all the traditional instruments of Madagascar, he can also make them. As part of the project with Akany Avoko, he has made 10 valiha and 10 kabosy that our children will learn to play. He will also be working with our kids to producing several more valiha and flutes with our kids using our own homegrown bamboo.