About the Diocesan Link

Antananarivo

About Madagscar About Antananarivo Diocese Photographs of MU Work in Antananarivo

Madagascar is the world's fourth biggest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo. Because of its isolation most of its mammals, half its birds, and most of its plants exist nowhere else on earth. It is particularly famous for its lemurs.

The island is heavily exposed to tropical cyclones which bring torrential rains and destructive floods, such as the ones in early 2000 which left thousands homeless.

MADAGASCAR FACTS
Population: 17.4 million (UN, 2003)
Capital: Antananarivo
Major languages: Malagasy (official), French
Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity
Life expectancy: 52 years (men), 55 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: Ariary
Main exports: Coffee, seafood, cloves, vanilla, petroleum products, chromium, fabrics
Average annual income: US $260 (World Bank, 2001)

Information courtesy of BBCi

Diocese of Antananarivo (Tana)

Diocesan President: Elizabeth Rasoamiarantsoa
Worker: Jocelyn Razafiarivony

2005 Report:

In 2005 MU members focused on the Millennium Development Goals, trying to alleviate poverty and combat illiteracy. Training sessions were held in 56 branches, about family life issues, combating domestic violence and HIV/AIDS. Members also promoted the consecration of marriage in church. Membership is increasing, 123 new members were enrolled in 2005 and 4 new branches set up. In September, a diocesan gathering, called a Zaikabe, was held in Antsirabe, attended by 350 members, the MU Chaplain, the Provincial President, Maud Patten, who had visited Coventry in July and the All-Madagascar President. An annual fund-raising event was held to support an orphanage of 441 children aged 6-17. A rolling start up loan of £14 is available to members to improve their standard of living. Poverty is very prevalent, especially in the rural areas, with 80% of people living on less than $1 a day. 30%-50% are illiterate, so the diocese is setting up a literacy project and training for facilitators begins this year.

Madagascar suffered greatly during 2002 following Presidential elections at the end of 2001. The outgoing President refused to leave office, and there were blockades, demonstrations and military activity in this usually peaceful country. The capital, Tana was cut off for several weeks, food supplies were affected and order was not restored until the summer, following intervention by the French.

Following the civil unrest, there was a flu epidemic which claimed many lives particularly amongst the rural communities.

The Diocese is growing, with around 2,000 members, and Lys Josephine (former Diocesan President) reported that many of those joining are young.

The members continue to produce lovely craftwork, and a lot was sold at the African Evening in September 2002 at Leamington Spa.

Some photographs from Antananarivo, Madagascar in the Province of the Indian Ocean, and the work of the Mothers' Union there :

Demonstration at a meeting
Participants in a workshop	MU Worker
Singing	Preparing a meal in Antananarivo