mardi 3 mars 2015

#WESELFIE2015 , a selfie for a good cause.

Solidarity events have been held these days in #Madagascar to support flood victims #madaflood, and population victims of "kere" in Southern Madagascar. This must continue to save lifes and alleviate poverty and suffering. Once again, most of us have certainly seen or already participated in the campaign #weselfie2015 on social networks.  

#weselfie2015
 The #weselfie2015 is a charity project in support of Father Pedro actions in Madagascar. Some people are still reluctant to participate in this campaign because they don't understand the purpose of this simple and easy gesture for a good cause, or they just don't know what is it exactly? Who can participate and how to participate, who are the sponsors of the event (ie those who pay the money raised from the selfies posted.)?

Charity project
This initiative comes from 2 students (Camille and Coralie) of Professional License in Activities and Technical Communication at SUFP (University of Continuing Education) in Saint-Denis. As part of this training, they decided to create a communication event for charitable purpose, intended to raise funds for the association "Les Amis du Père Pedro (Friends of Father Pedro)", run by Yves Francois. "


Who can participate and how to participate?
Everyone without expection can participate by taking pictures of themselves (Selfie), either alone or with a group , and then post them on social networks (facebook, twitter or instagram) by imperatively adding the hashtag #weselfie2015 to better identify and count the numbers of selfies posted. You can support the project by publishing many selfies as you want. The campaign has already started on February 25 and will end on March 6.

Who are the project sponsors:
 The project partners are the major companies based in La Reunion, including (Air Austral, Total, Exsel, Tout pc's, Exofm, JIR(groupe Media), Sufp, Cinepalmes, tamarum, FACTO (saatchi & saatchi), and son on), those companies will pay the 50 cents for a selfie posted to the humanitarian association of  Father Pedro.

The purpose of the project:
Collect 10,000 selfies, making a total of 5,000 euros. This amount will be allocated to the construction of 80 homes in the community Akamasoa in order to accommodate as many disadvantaged Malagasy families as possible.

In short, it is obviously a very simple gesture that everyone having a smartphone, tablet or mobile phone equipped with a camera can participate to show their support for the charity of Father Pedro, the Akamasoa Center based in Antananarivo, Madagascar. 1 Selfie posted brings 50 cents to the association. So, take your phone, smartphone or tablet to enlarge the numbers of the selfies.  

Here is my #WeSelfie2015, with my family: 
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samedi 31 janvier 2015

My greatest moments in Philippines #GV2015

Three weeks ago have passed after our trip in Cebu. I'm saying now that it's important for me to immortalise through my blog (unless it will be blocked or hacked, anyway) the wonderful sixth Summit of Global Voices which took place in Cebu; the second largest city in The Philippines from January 22 to 26. This summit coincided with the 10th anniversary of Global Voices. Of course, such big and enriching event remains unforgettable for me. As I have so many things to share, I write in this first blog the greatest moments I have had the opportunity to live during the summit. I insert some tweets #GV2015 after each paragraphs.
(the co-founders of Global Voices! Rebecca MacKinnon, Ethan Zuckerman )

So, let me now reveal you my feeling about this summit which the preparation was undoubtely impeccable, it's sure that most of us in Cebu were satisfied and experienced an enjoyable moments. Many wonderful and fantastic moments had happened during the event, I'm going to enumerate some of them.  

Gabriela, GV member tweeted: she had spent an incredible journey:


Welcoming party:
Upon our arrival at the airport of Cebu, we were very excited and delighted when we were received by a welcoming song saying "Welcome to Cebu Global Voices", the best moment has began there. Then, a shuttle took us to the luxurious hotel "Harolds" where the staffs were all professional and friendly. Yes, we felt like an important customers during our housing in the hotel.Without forgetting their delicious various foods :) 





(Welcoming party at Cebu airport)

 Rewarding encounters:
The most important and the most awaited moment of GV members has been the encounters of the GVer fellows from all corners of the world. When arriving in airport of Manilla, we already met some GV members such Leila, Gershum, I fan Lin. The cool things were that we have been able to recognise the face of each other. Smile, excitement and happiness were seen in our face. Arriving in Harold Hotel, also very excited to meet the rest of  GVer ; most of the community met and had party time during Paula's birthday celebration. 

A meeting of different generations of people from across the wordl, said Rezwan in a tweet: 


(we had fun and solidarity could feel in our face and gesture)
(Lingua editors team)

 Learning and sharing moments:
The main reason of the summit was the series of conference, panels, workshops and discussions where many topics were on the agenda, from Protecting the open internet to how people took on their governement in 2014; from social media and protest movements to Google tools for journalists; as well as how participatory media informs and origanizes during and after a natural disaster and so on. 



Ideas from many knowledgeable people had been emerging during these sessions, allowing the others to learn many things. Some of the attractive discussions I enjoyed the most where when the 2 co-founders of Global-Voices asked us to form a group and discuss about how the Global Voices will be if it has to begun now. And also the panel run by Eddie presenting some of the innovative projects of  Rising voices: Girls Activists of Kyrgyzstan



(Girls Activists of Kyrgyzstan)

(workshop)
 
(workshop)

 Old Cebu:
During our free afternoon activity, some of the member choose to go to Old Cebu quarters in the downtown and do a walking tour to visit some famous and historic heritage monuments and churches of Cebu, an occasion to discover the Cathedral Museum with its architecture, Old Jesuit House, Cebu Metropolitan Catheral, Carbon Market, Basilica Minore Del Santo, Cathedral Museum of Cebu. It's better to notice that Philippines is one of two predominantly Catholic nations in Asia (the other being East Timor) and the third largest Catholic country in the world.
Monajem showing the bottle of water in the bus to Old Cebu:



(Magellan's Cross)
(Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral )

 Secret Summiteer:
This is among the funny and lovely activity of the summit, you are assigned to give a gift to one person (a secret match ) you  didn't know in advance and you need to do some detective work before the Summit to know more about him/her. In the other hand; another person has also been assigned to you or you have no idea about who is he/she And it was really fun because
Pakistan meets Bolivia as part of the secret summiteer :




 
(Me and Rami Al Hames from Brazil)
(Me and Sarah Myers West from California, she is my secret match)
10th anniversary of GV:
The last but not the least was the celebration of the 10 years of GV,  a big moment that many was waiting for after days of working and participating in panels. We held the party at a Museum where we had the occasion to admire a spectacle of songs and traditionnal dances. Everyone was dancing and eating after the cultural show perfomed by the Filipino students. It was a moment of  showing and building solidarity; we had really fun and it showed how great and convivial all GV member are.



(10 anniversary of GV)
(tradionnal dancing of Cebu)

Once again, many thanks to all the organizers. And, I am totally grateful to the entire local team for the warm welcome we have received; it was undoubtedly a memorable stay.
 Always proud to be GVer, I wish long life to GlobalVoices and may we achieve our precious common goals.
Thank you all and hope to see you again :). Salamat (Misaotra @ teny gasy)
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jeudi 15 janvier 2015

New Year Greetings of Madagascar's President in Iavoloha

New year is an opportunity for everyone to wish a year filled with happiness, health and success to one another. It is also with joy that I send my best wishes of happiness, health and prosperity to all my readers. I don't promise great things in my blog for this year but I will strive to write interesting posts when having time, you know, how busy a mother with children is, in addition of the various responsability we have to honor :)


The usual new year greeting ceremony was held at Iavoloha palace in Antananarivo on Friday 9th January where the president of Madagascar sends its wishes to the Malagasy people on the occasion of  New Year 2015 and to present his various projects for the new year. The 4 formers leaders of Madagascar has received an invitation, so the ceremony was marked by the presence of Marc Ravalomanana and Didier Ratsiraka, but both Zafy Albert and the former trasitional president Andry Rajoelina didn't come to the event. Yet .the presence of the 2 formers head of state shows their willingness to appeasement and to unite as part of the national reconciliation. Let's hope that. 

During his speech, the president recognises that 7 out of 10 Malagasy live in abject poverty. 
As always, the president offers a salary increase of 7% to the civil servants and also promises housing construction project to them. Many private sector employees wonder about their case; which the minimum wage (SMIG) of  Malagasy people is 124.243 Ar for the non-agricultural sector and 126.000 Ar for the agricultural sector, which means that the population still living below the poverty line; living on less than $1,5 per day.

Again, the president promises a lot of things with his various social and economic projects, as some says that such promises is not unusual,  let'see and wait if the president will really honor all of these some of the promises mentionned above, and let's hope he'll keep his promises:

-Recruitment of FRAM teachers will continue this year.
-Zero tolerance against natural resources traffic, including rosewood
- Rehabilitation and construction of classrooms
- Rehabilitation and reopening of basic health center 
-Protection of fisheries and marine resources. Fight against maritime piracy , and many more 

The president also states that this year will be a year of sanitation and cleanliness: garbage removal in large cities and towns. Hoping these promises will be implemented on time for the welfare of the population and the ongoing national reconciliation will have a good results.. What people wishes so much is to get out of poverty as soon as possible its country; Madagascar.
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jeudi 23 octobre 2014

Global Voices has united us


This post was first published in the community blog of  Global Voices as part of the Global Voices's 10th anniversary.

My first encounter with Global Voices was a little "romantic" one. I met Global Voices for the first time when I went to the office of Jentilisa, the editor on Global Voices Lingua Malagasy, as we have worked together in the same company at that time. I saw him reading and doing something on his computer, and when I looked at his computer screen, I saw the words Global Voices, and came across by an article written by Lova Rakotomalala, which tittle was Françafrique casts shadow in Gabon, Madagascar, and Mauritania, and I have noticed that the article was translated in  malagasy, and when I read the article translated in malagasy, I was very impressed by the quality of malagasy language written by Jentilisa, which made me realize how beautiful and important our mother tongue is, because in our country [Madagascar], malagasy language is underestimated given the way that we are a country colonised by France, we use french language in almost private primary schools, we use french in an administrative documents like in courts, ministry, public institutions, and so on. Since then I'm interested to know more about Global Voices and asked Jentilisa to tell me about it.

Through his explanation, it is the first time I heard about blog or bloggers, and I was interested by that and especially by Global Voices as I love writing, I used to write a french post on my diary because I didn't have connection at home and didn't know yet about citizen media than through Global Voices. But as I want to continue reading posts on this eye-opening site [Global Voices], I asked Jentilisa if he would like to print some articles for me to read. As an answer, he asked me to come to his home if I want to read an article from Global Voices because he had connection at his home, and of course I agreed. I came regularly to his home to read some intersting posts from Global Voices sites, and of course it was also an opportunity for me to create my Facebook and Twitter accounts. Our relationship has strengthened since then, we finally get married. Since our wedding, I helped Jentilisa in his work as an editor of Global Voices, two months after, he has noticed some progress in my malagasy writing, and asked me if I want to be an official translator of Global Voices, of course, there is no reason to decline the offer, and I accepted with joy and pleasure. My first translation was Tunisia: Prime Minister Resigns Following a Bllod Saturday (Tonizia: Nametra-pialana ny praiministra taorian'ny vono-olona ny Asabotsy). And I was among the active translators in Global Voices Lingua Malagasy until now. Yes, I translate with passion and pleasure, not only it allows malagasy people to follow international news in malagasy language but especially to highlight the beauty of our language.

Since I have joined the community, a part of my life has changed, thanks to Global Voices I became aware of the importance of freedom of expression, of sharing ideas, which pushed and motivated me to create my blog in french, english, and malagasy; I found my other half :) ; I realized the importance in keeping, using, revitalising our mothertongue, and so many other wonderful things again. Yeah, Global Voices is undoubtedly amazing, it's a kind of blessing for me and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am very proud of being member of it, I wish many more prosperous years for the community and its members.





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jeudi 16 octobre 2014

#bad2014, #Inequality, #BlogActionDay. Inégalité=injustice sociale

C'est toujours avec plaisir de participer à l'évènement #BlogActionDay le #16Octobre2014 dont le thème de cette année est l' #inégalité. L'inégalité peut revêtir plusieurs significations. Personnellement, quand j'entends le mot "inégalité", ma première impression se focalise sur les inégalités entre les pays riches et pauvres et les inégalités entre hommes et femmes. Des inégalités qui reflètent l'injustice sociale.

L'inégalité existe partout dans le monde dont certaine situation est pire qu'on puisse l'imaginer. Comparer la vie des riches à ceux des pauvres est une constatation  accablante. Il existent plusieurs formes d'inégalités, citons par exemple: inégalité d'accès au logement, inégalité dans l'éducation, inégalité de patrimoines, inégalités dans l'accès au droit, inégalités de traitement judiciaire; etc...; peut-on aussi ajouter l'inégalité des chances?. D'ailleurs, les inégalités sont nombreuses et inter-agissent.
Dans notre société, des causes fréquentes d'inégalités émanent de l'égoïsme; de l'incapacité à gérer de manière efficace les différentes ressources; des stéréotypes, des stigmatisations liées à des préjugés qui ont tendance  à considérer les individus comme indignes d'avoir accès à ces ressources, etc... Dans ce blog, je vais parler seulement de 2 importantes inégalités: (les inégalités de richesse et les inégalités de revenus salariaux)

Les inégalités  de richesse:
Les inégalités de richesse sont parfois dues à la mauvaise répartition des ressources naturelles. La répartition des richesses se produisent toujours de façon inéquitable et ne profite qu'aux pays et personnes riches, aux personnalités politiques et économiques de premier plan. En effet, le développement d'un pays repose avant tout sur les ressources naturelles et la prise de responsabilité de chacun.
La répartition des ressources naturelles notamment à Madagascar (i-e diverses ressources minérales, le pétrole et les pierres précieuses, et ou biologiques nécessaires à la vie de l'homme et à ses activités économiques) n'est pas exploitée à bon escient si bien que certains pays tirent des profits gigantesques par le biais de l’exploitation de ces ressources. Et de ce fait, priver les générations futures de leur héritage naturel et présente un risque majeur pour les progrès humains.
Sociologiquement parlé, les inégalités sociales sont le résultat d'une distribution inégale des ressources au sein d’une société et divise les individus en différents groupes sociaux 

Ainsi donc, la pauvreté et la richesse doivent être analysées ensemble, nécessitant ainsi une réflection afin d'identifier les causes profondes et apporter des solutions durables afin de  permettre à tout individu d'avoir une vie qu'il mérite et de jouir de ses droits fondamentaux pour le respect de leur dignité et de la valeur de la personne humaine, dont l'objectif serait d'atténuer les injustices sociales de toutes sortes afin de favoriser le progrès social et d instaurer de meilleures conditions de vie tout en jouant de la liberté. 
L'article 25, alinéa 1 de la déclaration de droit l'homme stipule que: Toute personne a droit à un niveau de vie suffisant pour assurer sa santé, son bien-être et ceux de sa famille, notamment pour l'alimentation, l'habillement, le logement, les soins médicaux ainsi que pour les services sociaux nécessaires ; elle a droit à la sécurité en cas de chômage, de maladie, d'invalidité, de veuvage, de vieillesse ou dans les autres cas de perte de ses moyens de subsistance par suite de circonstances indépendantes de sa volonté.

Les inégalités de revenus salariaux: 
Il existe une différence importante du niveau de revenu entre les rémunération des individus « riches » et ceux des individus « pauvres ».  Les mains d'oeuvres dans les pays pauvres sont moins cher contrairement à ceux des pays riches. Prenons l'exemple du cas comme à Madagascar, dans une même société où sont employés un étranger et un malgache avec un même travail, même catégorie professionnel, le premier reçoit un salaire plus conséquent que le dernier. S'y ajouter également l'inégalité des conditions de travail, les chances de promotion. Les inégalités salariales entre les femmes et les hommes existent également. Dans beaucoup de pays, le problème d'égalité de genre pose toujours de problèmes, et tend souvent à donner faveur aux hommes qu'aux femmes. Je n'insiste pas ici sur l'inégalité femmes et hommes car je préfère consacrer ce thème sur un autre article.
Il est à rappeler ce qui est écrit dans l''article 23 de le déclaration de droit de l'homme concernant le droit relatif au travail:
2. Tous ont droit, sans aucune discrimination, à un salaire égal pour un travail égal.
3. Quiconque travaille a droit à une rémunération équitable et satisfaisante lui assurant ainsi qu'à sa famille une existence conforme à la dignité humaine et complétée, s'il y a lieu, par tous autres moyens de protection sociale.  

Enfin bref, pour lutter contre la pauvreté, bien sur, il faut combattre les inégalités et cela emmène à envisager des perspectives d'accès aux différentes ressources. Prendre des mesures pour les familles issues des catégories sociales les plus défavorisées en renforçant et favorisant les organisations humanitaires (les ONG), multiplier les subventions de l'Etat, renforcer les programmes internationaux d’aide au développement. Respecter et faire respecter les lois, tout en révisant celui du droit du travail, etc...le principal but étant d'instaurer la justice sociale.  Peut-on vraiment imaginer un monde, ou une société loin des inégalités de toutes sortes? Comme le dit Louis Chauvel « Si chacun était identique aux autres, il ne pourrait exister d'inégalité ».

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mardi 14 octobre 2014

Madagascar's Former President Marc Ravalomanana arrested shortly after his arrival in the country

News about the unexpected arrival and brutal arrest of the Madagascar's former president Marc Ravalomanana yesterday, October 13th 2014 has been circulating online and has been also the news headlines in the mainstream media .

Since his exile in South Africa after a coup in 2009 that outsed this democratically elected president, Marc Ravalomanana has tried many times to return to his homeland but was always prevented by the transition regime under Andry Rajoelina, better known as TGV.

I was among those who called for the return of Marc Ravalomnana in his country, and I've already wrote a blog about that here and here. But as far as I'm concerned, I want him to return home not to continue politics or seize the power by force but to save and rebuild his compagnies across the country which were looted and burnt during the coup led by Andry Rajoelina in 2009.  I was a little surprised when I saw and heard him on TV adressing to his supporters around his house at Faravohitra, located on the highest hill of Antananarivo that "he is the current president when he left the country. And now as he is back home, it belongs to the Malagasy people to decide what must be done,"

In 2010, the former leader was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment with hard labour for the massacre of about 30 protesters in February, 7th 2009.
 

Here is the speech ( french version here) given by the president of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianana, few hours following the arrest of the former president:

Former President Marc Ravalomanana arrived this morning in Antananarivo. He thought it's not necessary to first inform the Government as he didn't see fit to ask the Administration authorization whatsoever.

Madagascar is a rule of law. I've already said either to the Malagasy people and to the whole of the international community that the return of Marc Ravalomanana must be included in the national reconciliation process and is performed only as part of that process.

Certainly, every citizen Malagasy has the right to travel freely. However, the case of Mr. Marc Ravalomanana is particular when it comes to his personal protection and public safety which require specific provisions

He did not call me, he did not contact me. His speech during the press conference he organized in the morning illustrate his intentions and real desire, including the lack of any consideration of the people's choice. He did not hesitate to push people in violating the law. 
 
My dear compatriots,


We chose democracy, we must defend this democracy. We can not accept such slippages. I took my responsibilities as Head of State and continue to do so in order to protect public order. I thank those, here or abroad, who have already completely disowned and condemned the behavior of Mr Ravalomanana.

The Security Forces have decided to take responsibility. Mr. Marc Ravalomanana has not been arrested. He is not imprisoned. He was set against security threats of all kinds.

I'd like to tell all my attachment to national reconciliation. I worked about it for several months. It is in this context that I remain available to any discussions but in respect of the Malagasy people and social peace. And I called each other to stay calm and remain in the national unity to enable the Government to solve this problem with confidence.


In a nutshell, people are fed up of the poverty and political  problems since 2009 and don't wish anymore troube in the country, what they want is PEACE and  a true national reconciliation that lead into the  development of the country. So what are we asking  for is to call the governement to set up national reconciliation. Now, lets's wait and see the end of the event. 
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samedi 30 août 2014

Clouds of Locust Cover the Downtown of Antananarivo

Beside the strike of Air Madagascar employees and the prosecution of some JIRAMA (Malagasy State Electric Supply Company) employees because of a short-circuit at the home of the Head of State. Locusts were the focus of discussion in recent 2 days both on social networks and within the community, as their invasion in downtown of Antananarivo city is an unusual event.
 
(Locusts in the air)

During locusts invasion in Antananarivo, various reactions have been observed from the people of the city, some are stunned at seeing the billions of locusts, some believers say it as a sign that we are approaching the end of the world, others also predict that something serious and alarming will occur in Madagascar. While a lot of people argue that they are manna from heaven and enjoy themselves by simply catching the locusts in order to fry or grill them, and yes! many have eaten it for the first time, including myself  :) . Well, everyone has their own opinion of things.

(people catching locust)

Despite the terrible aftermath caused by the locust swarms that ravage and devoure all kinds of crops, which is the livelihood of many farming family in Madagascar, as it was the case last year. Locust gives, however, benefits and virtues, or we say about Entomophagy (consumption of insects as food); crickets are among insects which can be eaten,  they are rich in protein, vitamin D and minerals. So, it's not surprising if many inhabitants took advantage of the locust passage to eat them.

Referring to the Bible, John the Baptist also ate locusts and wild honey in the desert. 

(Fried locust and fish)

Many Malagasy proverbs also put locusts as good things if we only cite a few examples:

Valala tsy an-tanana tsy atolo-jaza (You cannot give locust not in hand to children)
Sambom-balala main'andro, raha tsy azoko anio, ho azoko rahampitso (Catching crickets in winter, if I cannot catch one today, I'll catch tomorrow)
Valala iray ifanapahana ( even one cricket is divided - so that everybody can eat a part)  

(Locusts continue their way)

At the time of writing, there is no more locust seen in the sky of Antananarivo.



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