Workshop: FOKO teaching IST students to blog

Two weeks ago, Stéfane had been contacted by a responsible from JENIST (Jeunes Entrepreneurs de l’IST) who invited FOKO to teach IST students about blogging.

Saturday, June 13th, Pati, Tahina, Andry, Affick and I joined Stéfane for the workshop.

I have to admit that the JENIST was not that well organized and IST students were not even aware of the event they were organizing. FOKO got the cybercafé of the institute for the workshop. Despite the ads we put around, the students came to sky and were disappointed that the cybercafé is only open for the workshop. It was a little disappointing for us when those youngsters decided to leave the room then.

The workshop should have started at 8.00 a.m. and some of the FOKO members were already there since 7.30 a.m. to make sure that everything would be alright; though at 9.00 a.m., nothing started yet. Pati and I decided to “recruit” some guys singing outside to fill this empty room. We told them that we were bloggers from FOKO and wanted to share our (little) experience and teach them how to create a blog. One of the guys asked what was that “blog” mean. So I said “if you want to know more, you are invited to join us at the ESPATEL (the name of the cybercafé)”. Three of the guys stoop up and followed us while a few stayed keeping on their songs followed by the sound of a guitar.

9.30 a.m. Wew… during the break, more people came to “our” workshop and our little room finally was crowded. We could feel relieved

Stéfane and his students

Stéfane and Andry (proudly ) started with a little introduction of FOKO Madagascar, then explained what a blog is and why joining the blogosphere could be important and interesting. Some of the audience could get a computer while the others were standing around taking notes not to miss the creating process of  a blog. Each one of us was assigned to a little group. I was in charge of a young guy who has chosen Quiidam as a nickname. At the beginning, he just wanted to be nice with me but was not interested at all. I could feel it so I opened several FOKO members’ blogs and showed him how beautiful and interesting personal blogs are. Then came the questions and he got more and more involved . He honestly said that he loved the idea of having his own blog but this Quiidam’s Blog might be just a try for the workshop. He already had some plans in mind, sharing the music he creates to the world. I am so happy this evening when I opened his link and could see already three posts (biographies of rappers) and a nice tag as a header image.

Quiidam and I / Affick and the two teachers

Affick was in charge of two ladies, both teachers at IST. The task was not that easy for the poor guy because the way of understanding of the teachers took a little bit longer comparing to the other “kids” .  I was glad Tahina took over with my “student” so I could help one of the ladies who really insisted to have me.

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A group photo before leaving [ with FOKO and IST new bloggers

After the workshop, we were supposed to stay but couldn’t. Before leaving, we visited the two stalls of JENIST outside. I came nearer to talk to JENIST members. JENIST is a club within IST institute which gather students, entrepreneurship and talents. They proudly showed me a tag drawn by a member. There was also this little box for playing quizzes: the first who knows the answer should press the button and then the light will be on. These guys also publish an in-house newspaper.

A tag made by a JENIST

for quizzes

 

Business around Mother’s Day: wrapping gifts

To start with, English speaking countries and French ones don’t celebrate Mother’s day on the same day. This year, Francophone countries, like Madagascar, celebrates it on Sunday June 7th.

This Mother’s day is the sadest in my life cuz it’s the first one I don’t have my lovely Mom beside me and I especially miss her so much. If she was there, I am sure that the 3 of us would make a great surprise for her aswe used to but she’s not here.

No more tears. Mom taught us to be always happy and strong whatever may happen in our life.

I was with friends hanging out downtown this saturday and it was really hard to cross the wall of people who were trying to find the best gift for their mothers.The sidewalks were completely crowded of sellers and, of course, Mother’s gifts buyers .When everyone turned their eyes on what the people we met had bought (flowers, paintings, bags, sandals, sweaters, …), I was attracted by another business, afterall all festivities turn around business and marketing nowadays (Valentine’s day, Christmas, and stuff). There were a lot of people who got this idea: wrapping gift. They knew that a lot of customers will need such service after choosing a gift. They were ready with some boxes already nicely wrapped with different colors and sizes. And this part time job got success. The time I took the pics, it was already 7.00 p.m.

Garage Vony – Rickshaw manufacturer

During my stay in Antsirabe, I had the opportunity to visit a little workshop named “Garage Vony”, a rickshaw manufacturer.

Since 2003, rickshaw as a mean of transport has been considered as not respecting human rights. So the Commune of Antsirabe launched the “cyclopousse” – a rickshaw pulled by a bike -, and the taxi “Kinga”. Yet, “traditional” rickshaws are the mainly taken by the Antsirabe citizens. A reason why I was interested in visiting a rickshaw manufacturer.

I tell you, everything I saw in this Garage Vony amazed me. The little workshop was a mess because everything was made in it… I mean EVERYTHING (well… almost) even the wheels,  the screws, the welding…

Enjoy the pics

The couple, Emile and Vony are the owners of the workshop, they prefer to call it Garage since rickshaws are mean of transport in Antsirabe. They started this business in 1990. Emile’s parents were carts manufacturers in the beginning. Then, Emile, a self made man,  took over from his parents, and began to make rickshaws.

This “Garage”, with 6 workers – all relatives – (including Emile and Vony), can sell around 10 rickshaws per month. A rickshaw costs Ariary 180,000. They mostly make rickshaws for customers outside Antsirabe since the market there had been closed by the Commune since 2004. During my visit, they were contracting for the Red Cross. 24 rickshaws will be distributed in some cut-off areas to transport sick people to the health center (there is no hospital).

They mostly make rickshaws for customers outside Antsirabe since the market there had been closed by the Commune since 2004.

As I mentioned earlier, the Commune has decided to launch the cyclopousse and the taxi Kinga in order to  eradicate the traditional rickshaws which show image of slavery. Since 2003, each rickshaw must have a registration number, have a license, pay taxes and the driver must pass an exam of the Highway Code. No more licenses nor registration numbers were delivered by the end of 2004 which explains that only a few people still buy new rickshaws. These few customers come to Garage Vony because their rickshaw needs some repairs or is completely ruined so they need a new one but will keep the same registration number and license.

Now, the main customers, most of the time  individuals  or hotel owners, of the Garage come from Antananarivo, Farafangana, other places but Antsirabe. The family can not save much money as before but have only enough to buy basic needs. Vony sincerely hopes that this market in Antsirabe will open again.

Want a lil ride, Gilbert?

 I was… uh… AM among the people who dislikes taking a rickshaw ride because I sincerely believe it is inhuman. Then I met Gilbert, a rickshaw driver, who explained that he really enjoys his job and without passengers he would come back home in the evening with nothing for his family. “This job made me strong and stay young (… laughs… ) because of the physical efforts. I can’t find a better job than being a rickshaw driver”, says Gilbert.  Unluckily, some of his “friends” could not get registration number nor license and now, became smugglers.

 

 

We never know, you may be interested in contacting Garage Vony for another report or for ordering a new rickshaw. Here is the adress: Ivory Lot 17 A 116 C Antsirabe I. You can also call the number            +261 32 49 643 34        . You will see, they are really nice and are doing great work.