To set the scene, in 2008, three volunteers from Scouts
Canada visited the village of Ambato Boeni, in northwest Madagascar. Working with the local village council of the
troisieme quartier in Ambato Boeni, we formed a partnership in development
with three simple priorities: drilling wells for fresh water, building a school
facility for education and providing an alternative source of electricity to
bring light to the 12 hours of darkness each day. Literally: Life, Learning, Light. Scouts Canada made a promise that day – a promise
others had broken in the past – that we would work with Ambato Boeni achieve
these goals.
When civil unrest broke out in the capital of Antananarivo
in 2009, this project could not continue, but it would not be the end. On our honour, we promised that we would do
our best. And now, with peace returned
to Madagascar, the time has come to finish what we all started nearly four
years ago.
In January, 18 youth and 7 adult volunteers from
Scouts Canada were selected to finally complete this project in August of this year, but this really
is everyone’s project. We all have a
part to play in fulfilling the spirit of our promise: from learning about the social issues, or contributing directly to the project, to spreading the message of youth empowerment and community development. This blog will help everyone keep up to date
on what’s being done and where we all fit in to changing the world in 2012.
Check us out:
Facebook YouTube CanadaHelps.org Scouts.ca/Madagascar
