Our Projects: Current, Ongoing, Previous and Future…
For regular updates on our projects and activities, follow our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/gemsofmadagascar
We are currently raising money for:
 Library and Computer Lab: In 2022, we built a library and computer lab at a school complex that serves children from villages where we work.
In 2020, GemsOfMadagascar.org built a new four-classroom school building to serve students from Ambalafeno and surrounding villages. The building replaced a small single classroom building that was destroyed by a cyclone in 2018. As part of our project, we also refurbished the other buildings in the school complex and built new toilets and a hand-washing station. One small building was not refurbished because it wasn’t structurally sound for use. See photos provided. Recently, the school director asked if we could re-build that building and make it into a much-needed library and computer lab. We have been working with another NGO, GroundBreaker, that paid for the building and computers. And the department of education provided an educational local area network for the school. Re-building this building provided the school with enough space to offer both a computer lab and a library…two things that will give the children in this area a real advantage in the school system of Madagascar. This school is now the most technologically advanced school in the district. While a grant paid for the construction of the building and computers, we still need funds for library books. We have space for books in English, Malagasy and French, but our shelves are quite empty at the moment. |
The Ankevohevo Children’s Choir: The Ankevohevo children’s choir, sponsored by GemsOfMadagascar.org, was off to a good start in 2020 with a new choir director, regularly scheduled performances, and a good income from tips.
Unfortunately, since the borders closed in March 2020 due to Covid-19, there have been no tourists and thus, no tips to supplement the family incomes of the children. Despite the lack of tourists and no financial reward, the kids continue to have regular rehearsals to prepare for the day they can start giving performances again.
It became apparent we need to help support the choir children and their families during this pandemic. We regularly reward them with turkeys, pigs, chickens, ducks, school supplies and other things that will help their families thrive despite the hardships.
With these rewards, several kids have been able to breed their animals and learn about farming. The goal is to give them a better life than their parents had. And these animals help them accomplish that goal. See below for more information about the Ankevohevo Children’s Choir.
 Toilets and Wash Basins in Ranomafana: We have already built one complex of toilets and wash basins (and a shower) in Ranomafana. We’re looking to build two more in other areas of the town. Ranomafana is a tourist town near a lemur habitat. Although, it’s a popular tourist destination, it needs some basic facilities to help the town thrive. The project is self-sustaining as there is a small fee to use the facilities. The commune has a full-time employee managing the area, keeping it clean and stocked. In exchange, she keeps most of the money that is paid for facilities. The hope is this project will help the people of Ranomafana adopt better health and hygiene practices, rather than washing their clothes and defecating in the nearby river. The facilities also give visitors a clean place to use the facilities. |
Recent Projects 2020 to Present
 
Hunger Crisis Project: The south of Madagascar is experiencing an ongoing drought affecting over 1 million people. Because of the lack of water and poverty, people are literally starving to death. People have had to leave their homes to scavenge anything they can find for food. Malnourishment among children is climbing at alarming rates. GemsOfMadagascar.org partnered with two other fabulous organizations, The Acronis Foundation and www.EnterTheEarth.com, to send over 11 metric tons of food to two neighboring villages in the South. The truck, driver and security were provided by the emergency relief branch of the Malagasy government. Our in-country representatives, Santatra and Benja, went along to ensure a smooth distribution to those most in need.
Although this drought is far from the villages where we work, we wanted to benefit them as well. To do this, we bought as many crops as possible from them. The school director has also agreed to allow the children at the new school to help stuff bags with vegetables as a humanitarian project. This was a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about those less fortunate in their own country. The mission was successful yet challenging. There were several vehicle breakdowns and two bandit attacks, so we’re grateful our team made it home safely.
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We sent nutrient-rich foods…meats and durable fruits, grains and vegetables to not only to provide food, but also help combat the ongoing issue of malnourishment they have.
Rainwater collection and cleaning tanks: In 2021, we added rainwater collection and cleaning systems in the three villages where we installed a solar-powered clean water system in 2016. Each tank holds approximately 7,000 liters of water. The tanks collect and clean approximately 4,657 liters of rainwater per day from eleven roofs during the rainy season. This will provide approximately 12.5 supplemental liters of clean water per person per day during the 5-month rainy season. The rainwater collection system will complement the solar-powered system while it is working at sub-optimal levels due to overcast skies. We also added a rainwater collection and cleaning tank at the school as well.
2019 Relief for Fire Victims in Ifanadiana: 
he area. Now they are beginning the process of rebuilding their 
homes.
2019 Expectant Mother’s Waiting House in Ranomafana: March 2019 we inaugurated an Expectant Mother’s Waiting House in Ranomafana. GemsOfMadagascar.org was thrilled to be invited to participate in this project in conjunction with PIVOT, the local medical NGO, and the commune of Ranomafana.
This building provides a place where expectant mothers who live 5k-25k away can stay close to the hospital during late term pregnancy. Women in distant villages often wait until they are in labor to make the journey to the hospital. Sometimes babies are born alongside the road, which can lead to delivery complications resulting in the death of the mother and/or baby. This house provides shelter for four women to stay for up to two weeks. Expectant mothers are also given some food to cook and baby items. It is conveniently located next to the hospital, so mothers can go next door when labor begins.
2019 Toilets, Shower and Wash Basin Complex in Ranomafana: March 2019 we inaugurated the first of three planned toilets, shower 
and wash basin complexes in this area. These complexes will be for both locals and visitors to the area. These complexes help the local Malagasy people adopt better health and hygiene practices. They also give visitors clean public toilets to use. For a small fee, locals can wash their clothes with clean water and use the toilets rather than using the nearby river for both. Our full time attendant keeps the place clean and stocked for a percentage of the revenue.Ladies enjoy using the new wash basin. One woman said she was developing back problems from scrubbing clothes over rocks in the river. The wash basin relieves the stress on her back.
We have an ongoing project with Ankevohevo teaching the kids music, singing and performance. Ankevohevo is a rural village located not far from the tourist town, Ranomafana. The kids sound like choir of angels when they sing, so we wanted to teach them how to perform in the hopes they can provide some entertainment for visitors to the area and earn some money for the village. They are excited about the opportunity. Our Malagasy partner, Dina, is a professional musician and music teacher, so he is having a blast working with the kids. Their first public performance was March 2017. T
In 2018 we added pavilions over each wash basin so the women can wash clothes protected during the rainy season. The pavilions also offer a nice shady place to gather and sing during hot summer months.