The Children of Tana

Wow. It is ridiculous to think that a three letter expression could do any justice to the emotion that I am feeling right now, but it is the first "word" that came to mind. Today was a spectacular day. We went to an orphanage in Tana, which doubles as a boarding school for the orphans living there, and also for other kids in Tana who want to get the same education. Meeting all the kids and the teachers was a gift to say the least. The founders were two of the most inspirational people I have ever met. When they began this project they had six rooms and upwards of one hundred people (children and adults). Just being in the presence of such beauty and culture, love, and family, sent waves of emotion through me. My first tears came when I saw the painted canvas lining the wall of the dining room. All the kids had written on it, crooked letters, painted hands, and flags from countries across the sea; words of another world. Every inch of it was magical. At the end of the day most of the kids (there are about eighty orphans) came out to say goodbye. They sang us a gospel song, and thanked us over and over again. I too expressed my thanks as best I could. Here are some pictures to explain more. I taught them Le Hokey Pokey, in French! A LOT of laughing, but smiles were all I was after. Then again, this country is a smiling face amongst the pain. The third picture is from yesterday. We went to visit Zizy's school in Tana, and she introduced me to the Terminal class (what we call 12th grade) and I told them about myself and why I was in Madagascar, and she of course translated for me. It was very neat to see the school, and all of the kids. A special time indeed.

More Pictures from the Vanilla Coast

From Antalaha to Sambava, to Tamatave, and back to Antananarivo...these are some pictures taken along the way. We went to a Vanilla Plantation, saw amazing frogs ( the orange one above is called a mantella aurantiaca), fed lemurs ( a golden-crowned sifaka, brown lemurs, and black-and-white-ruffed lemurs). We also saw Indri which was so remarkable. They are wild, and now days harder and harder to come across. To hear them call to each other, and leap from branch to branch above my head was spectacular. They are very territorial, and one family will occupy up to 5-7 hectares ( upwards of twelve acres). Madagascar is becoming more and more remarkable to me everyday. It is such a unique place, and I can't wait to discover more of its beauty as we venture into the South on Sunday.

Overview of the Vanilla Coast

Wow! It has been too long! The Vanilla Coast was amazing! My favorite part was the School we went to visit. It is a school for the handicapped and also just for kids whose parents don't have time to take care of them during the day. It was so special. The moment I walked in the door one of the little boys wrapped his arms around me, and I melted on the spot. The kids were so lively. We watched them dance and sing, and I attempted to do the same. Oh boy what a struggle... We brought frisbees and soccer balls and I played with the kids outside. I was in another world. I also made a friend. Her name is Lovasoa and she is twenty three. She was so so sweet, and hopefully we will continue to stay intouch. I would love to go back to that school. I want to work and live in that place. It simply felt like home. Here are some pictures to explain the rest.