March 3rd 2021
It has been a long time since I have been able to update you. We were never able to travel to Madagascar in 2020, despite numerous attempts. It just wasn’t meant to be. We are crossing our fingers that a trip will be possible sometime in 2021.
The pad project is on hold until we (my son Lanja and I) are able to travel to the South of Madagascar.
In regards to the conservation club, we arranged for a meeting with the former executive and some local children to discuss how the funds had been mismanaged and the future of the club. It was decided that the club as it had been in the past could not continue at this time. We also attempted to set up a second club, but were unsuccessful at this attempt. We are realizing it is very hard to keep a conservation club running in Fort Dauphin when neither Milliasse or myself are there to oversee the club. All donations to the Red Book Challenge are being held for now until we are able to travel to Southern Madagascar and start programs up again. One thing that these funds may be saved for is for field trips for children in Fort Dauphin to see wild lemurs.
Funds collected in early 2021 have been used to pay for expenses incurred by Milliasse in a new project delivering food and water to hungry residents in Milliasse’s parent’s home village of Ambahe. A Go Fund Me project has been started to raise money and so far 450$ has been raised through the Go Fund Me platform and 220$ has been raised in person. You can check out the Go Fund Me page here: gf.me/u/zigmm5
The Red Book Challenge has offered a small amount of money to cover the costs of delivering the food and water in Ambahe. Another delivery of food and water is expected for next week (March 10th 2021).
We will keep you up to date here on any new developments!
Amber Walker-Bolton