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!

Education and Adventure (part 1)

Click here (or the photos) to watch the slideshow in a larger format.

Nov. 6, 2012 text by Chad Lebo and photos by Maria Essen, Merel van der Kant, and Ryan Ackerman

Clic pour la version française

Les grandes vacances. The big vacation. School may be out from July to September, but that doesn't mean the learning stops. Thanks to a generous donation from Les Enfants de l’Ile Rouge, a registered charity based in Reunion and longtime sponsor of Akany Avoko, we were able to take of the children on a week-long educational field trip to Antsirabe and the wilds and wonders of Ranomafana National Park.

For the past few years, our children travelled to the steamy beach city of Mahajunga for sun and sand, but this year we wanted to mix the treat of travelling with the chance for some first-hand learning. And  learn we did, from bio-diversity to factory food production. More than 150 children, select staff and volunteers enjoyed the education and adventure of this year's classe verte, or field trip. 

One of the environmental highlights of the trip included seeing the unique flora and fauna protected in Ranofanana National Park. This hike offered the children a chance to experience for themselves the splendor of a Malagasy rainforest. For many of the children, it was their first chance to walk in the rain forests that used to dominate the eastern side of the island. Sadly, only about 10% of the original forests remain.

Students also visited newly-opened Centre ValBio in Ranomafana. This high-tech research center assists Malagasy and international scientists study and protect the valuable and impressive bio-diversity  of the area. We were able to tour the buildings and labs and learn about bio-diversity and environmental protection efforts.

And the environmental education was rounded out by a visit to the largest collection of fruit trees, more than 170 species, found at the Ranomafana Arboretum. 

The learning continued in Antsirabe too. Shifting from bio-diversity to geology, the students toured the  nearby lake Tritriva. The lake's cool turquoise waters are nestled in the caldera left behind by a violent explosion that marks central Madagascar's volcanic past (and present as the hot springs in Ranomafana attest).

Then for an even greater shift, the children experience the technology and engineering marvels of modern food production when the toured a large beverage factory. In a country where nearly everything is done by hand, this was quite an experience. 

Learning was the main, but not the only, objective of this trip, so there were plenty of chances for fun and relaxation too. The children were able to swim and play in the natural thermal pools of Ranomafana, race around Antsirabe in Malagasy rickshaws called pouse pouse and even stay in a hotel for 2 nights. And all were also treated to some meals at local Malagasy restaurants. We feed our children very well, but they never get a chance to order what they really want. A nice change.

After all the learning and adventure of life on the road, the students returned to Akany Avoko exhausted but smarter and full of experiences that will not soon be forgotten.

Connections: Sharing Resources and Volunteers

The team painting the wall at the pre-school at St. Joseph.

Sep. 12, 2012 text by Chad Lebo, photos by Kasia Bialous

Akany Avoko's newest mission is Sharing. This sharing includes everything from hosting a nation-wide conference for childcare centers to donating extra clothes to other deserving programs. One important aspect of the Sharing mission is sharing resources and connections with other centers.

We were grateful to host 7 different international student volunteer groups this past July and August. We wanted to share this bounty of support and volunteer workers. The George Abbot School Team 3 from Outlook Expeditions stayed at our center but completed a service project at the nearby St. Joseph school where many Akany Avoko students attend secondary school.

The generous and hardworking Team 3 from George Abbot School.

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Team 1

Happy kids and happy volunteers. 

Sep. 11, 2012 text and photos by Chad Lebo

Some World Challenge teams may only stay a short time, but they still make a big difference. And the wonderful students and teachers from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Team 1 certainly did make a big difference in only 3 days.

The hardworking team of 13, painted 2 of our primary school classrooms. And thanks to a generous donation from World Challenge and the students, the cost of the paint and equipment was more than covered. The remaining money was able fund further school-related projects such as equipment for the upcoming school year.

Great work.

Adding some brown oil paint to protect the walls and hide dirt.

Some final touches to finish the classroom.

The Dentists are Back

A good examination is always the first step.

Sep. 6, 2012 text and photos by Chad Lebo

It is that time of year of again. Rainy season? No. Tourist season? No. Dentist season? Yes.

For the 3rd year in a row, we are glad to welcome generous Spanish dentists from Dentistas sin Limites (Dentists Unlimited). This year, 17 dedicated dentists volunteered their time and skill to care for the children of Madagascar. Over 3 weeks of traversing the country, the dentists treated more than a 1,000 patients.

The outdoor examination room.

Outlook Expeditions: Kilgraston

First class face painting.

July 11, 2012 Text and Photos by Chad Lebo

School vacation has arrived. That means more kids around Akany. And not just our kids. This is the time of the year we host teenage student groups coming to Madagascar for trekking and volunteering. We will be hosting 7 groups this July and August.

We were proud to welcome the Kilgraston school as our first group of the season. Their Outlook Expeditions adventure brought them to Akany for 5 days. The 15 students and leaders spent a day seeing our village and the market and even learning a little Malagasy. Then they got to work.

They dipped some brushes and rolled some rollers as they painted the doors, windows and walls of the administrative office. In a few short days, the office looking beautiful and they moved on to freshening up the outside walls of the cafe.

Painting windows in the administrative office.

Special Guests and Special Gifts

(From left to right) Mme. Lalasoa, Director of Akany Avoko; M. Eric Mayoraz, Swiss Ambassador; Mme. Mercedes Ansensi Segura, volunteer and supporter; M. Naly, Head of Akany Avoko Childcare; M. Carlos Decarvalho, Akany Avoko volunteer and consultant to the Swiss Embassy.

March 26, 2012 Text and Photos by Chad Lebo

Akany Avoko is blessed to have supporters of all kinds from all parts of the world. Though our activities are generally supported by kind gifts from individual generous donors, we are also grateful for the support we receive from organizations. Recently, the Swiss Embassy in Madagascar graciously donated funds to refurbish the dining room and kitchen of the Childcare Center.

To celebrate the donation and herald the opening of the newly-refurbished dining room and kitchen, Akany Avoko held an grand re-opening celebration. The celebration featured dancing, singing, some short speeches, a tour of the improvements and a lovely reception. We were blessed to have many friends, supporters and local dignitaries join us: the regional head of the Ministry of the Population, the Director of the St. Joseph School, the Director of the Regency School, head of our local village, and the Mayor of the Ambohidritrimo Commune. 

And we were all most appreciative for the Swiss Ambassador, M. Eric Mayoraz, who joined us for the celebration. The Swiss government generously supports many projects in Madagascar and we are grateful to be among them.

The refurbishment project was developed by one of our most beloved and passionate supporters, Mme. Mercedes Ansensi Segura. She has organized and found funding for many projects at the Childcare Center over the past years. At the close of the celebration, Mme. Mercedes received a special plaque in honor of her long and dedicated service. 

[Stay tuned. The next blog post will show the new kitchen and dining room.]

Ambassador Mayoraz and the Mayor of Ambohidratrimo cut the ribbon to open the kitchen and dining room.

Mardi Gras or Jeudi Gras?

Paper plates in crafty hands can become anything.

March 20, 2012 Text and Photos by Chad Lebo

If you have a Mardi Gras party on Thursday is it Jeudi Gras? Regardless, the wonderful volunteers at Akany Avoko put on a wonderful Carnaval (yes, let's just call it Carnival) party for the children. Not that you need more of a reason to have a party besides Carnaval, but the dancing, singing and donut-eating were also celebrating the work of two fantastic volunteers who were returning home.

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Mme. Caroline, and some festive kids.

First Games of the Year

Maybe not technically a game, but certainly a favorite activity nonetheless, looking in rear view mirrors. This also why I have to adjust my mirrors each and every trip.

Jan. 3, 2012 Text and Photos by Chad Lebo

Christmas may have reindeer games, but New Year's day has its games too. At least it does at Akany Avoko. After a special "European style" breakfast prepared by the volunteers and a nice lunch prepared by the children and the staff, the kids had a lovely afternoon to relax and play games.

Check out some of their choices for the first games of the year.

It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas

The CAM girls baking up a Christmas storm.

Dec. 23, 2011 Text and Photos by Chad Lebo

Christmas is almost here. And Christmas at Akany means singing, dancing, laughing, gifts and eating. The feasting starts tonight. Thanks to generous donors the children are able to get a very special and very delicious meal. Having a feast takes work, but work is not a problem the staff, children and volunteers spent today washing, peeling, cutting, frying stirring.

More about the celebration tomorrow, so please check back in. And don't forget to click below to see all the photos.

Holidays at the Beach

See the slideshow below to enjoy all the pics from this wonderful beach holiday.

Sep. 2, 2011 Text and Photos by Ony Rakotoarivelo, Captions by Chad Lebo

After a tough week of preparing for the children's holiday and 12 steamy hours on buses, the staff and children happily arrived on the western coast of Madagascar.

As my first trip to the beach with the children, I wasn't sure what to expect. Needless to say it was wonderful to the see how much the children enjoyed their time at the ocean. I was amazed to see what an incredible impact 10 days made on the children--bringing a smile to each and every one of their faces.

After a hard year of school, all of the children at Akany are in need of the a beach holiday. Some of the children here have never before been to the ocean and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of putting their hands and feet in the water.

Dining, resting, swimming, playing, laughing, riding horses and Ferris wheels, walking the promenade, eating ice cream, riding rickshaws... these are among the numerous activities we enjoyed with the children on their beach holiday!

[Notes about slideshow: To advance slideshow manually, move mouse to bottom of slideshow and use controls. To view the online web album where you can play slideshow in full screen, download photos and more, click here.]

Island to Island: Hong Kong Students Help Madagascar's Children

Unsure who is happier, but also not sure it matters. (Tom McShane)

 June 24, 2011 Text by Danial Zho, Photos by Tom McShane and Chad Lebo, Captions by Chad Lebo

[Note: Article and photos from World Challenge volunteers from Chinese International School.] 

Five minutes after landing on June 19, 2011, eleven students brave explorers, one teacher and one army officer were already getting bitten. Soon they would know not to fear mosquito bites, but to embrace them (until they catch malaria), in this land seen only in the movies known as Madagascar.

These adventurers arrived from a distant land named Hong Kong, expecting to lose weight, get toned and tanned (except for the Caucasians – they just burn.) We expected a grueling trek and backbreaking service work, but contrary to our expectations, Akany Avoko blew us away.

Saying Veloma (Goodbye) to Volunteers

Enjoying a drink and the view at a recent Veloma, or Goodbye, party for a volunteer.

March 8, 2011 Text and Photos by Chad Lebo

Volunteers are a major part of the Akany Avoko family. They provide love, support and education for Akany's children. Many live and work at Akany for 6 months or even a year. In that time, they become quite close with the children and the staff.

Since many of the children have had more than their fair share of sadness in their lives, we try to make saying goodbye to the volunteers a happy occasion. That means music, dancing, food. A party in other words.

What's Spanish for "Open Wide"?

One of the 158 patients the Dentistas sin Limites examined during their volunteer work at Akany Avoko.

Sep. 11, 2010 text by Chad Lebo, photos by Lorna Gillespie

There are some happy and healthy mouths around Akany Avoko that would like to say gracias to a band of very generous Spanish dentists. Volunteers from Dentistas sin Limites (Dentists Unliminted) travelled and examined their way across Madagascar for three weeks.

Dry Clothes and No Worms

Some shirts and such enjoying the new clothesline.

August 28, 2010 text and photos by Chad Lebo

Untreated wood in Malagasy soil holds up about as well as a sugar donut in hot coffee. Not well in other words. Baby insects and bacteria looking for tasty bites love to munch the defenseless wood. That means when wood meets the ground the wood soon meets its maker. Even the larger timbers on the playground equipment can only hold out 5 years or so. The smaller wooden poles that used to make up the critical and numerous clotheslines at Akany could only hold on for 2 years if they were lucky.

Lalana Meva Kely (A Beautiful Little Trail)

The gracious trail builders and some grateful kiddies.

August 21, 2010 text and photos by Chad Lebo

There is a new addition to Akany Avoko: Lalana Meva Kely (Beautiful Little Trail). And the pleasantly twisty path is thanks to some wonderful Welsh volunteers from Outlook Expeditions who joined the Akany family in August. 

Their stay was short, but their work was grand. In less than a week, the busy beavers hacked and polished the gnarly back slope of the property into a delightful trail complete with an outdoor classroom. They even painted a brilliant sign and held a couple inaugural events to introduce Akany's newest feature.