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One day, Tahina and I proposed “Climate change” as a discussion topic for our club. We were so astonished (or shouldn’t we???) that all the members felt reluctant so we could guess that they were not interested in it. I believe that a lot of people around the world behave like these members when it is to talk about “Climate change”.
I have registered to this Blog Action Day (BAD) because first of all, I feel concerned about it, and also it is so great to see the numerous blogs which are taking part in posting articles about “Climate change” – BAD’s topic of this year. This makes me feel NOT ALONE 
Since this morning, I have deeply thought about what I will post this evening. And on my way home, I saw this big truck which smokes. I took out my camera and came nearer the driver and asked if I could take a pic. The big guy hesitated as I explained that it was for my blog. He could guess that I will talk about environment so he said “Make sure you don’t put me and the number of the truck in.” So I took the pic and showed it to him. Then I asked a “silly” question: Why he didn’t want to appear in the pic. He laughed and said: “I know that this smoke is bad but this truck is my money resources so I have to do with it… Anyway, I’m not the only one [shy smile]“
I lived that guy cuz I started to cough with the smoke. I went home and I have noticed that my neighbour is using charcoal. And bingo! here is our topic. Most of Malagasy homes (I am tempted to say 90%) use charcoal. Why? Because this is cheaper and you can buy it at any time in small quantity. Though if you use gas you have to pay it once. Don’t even think of electricity!!! But where does the charcoal come from??? Peasants in countrysides cut trees of forests to make the charcoal. Though none of them thought about re-planting trees. They prefer to move on to the nearby forests and so on. We, who are aware of the environment, know what goes with this act: no rain, endemic fauna and flora disapear, heat, erosion…
I think that the main problem here in Madagascar is that people are so busy to search for what they are going to eat today. We then become selfish and just think of ourselves. We forget our neighbours and our future generation.
One day, I really wanted to watch a documentary movie about “Why have we waited until it is too late to save our planet?”; yet, many believe that they still have time to think about the problems of climate change tomorrow or even later. People are not aware at all. Though, here in Madagascar, we should now be in hot and rainy season. I remember, when I was a kid, in october like this it rained almost every day… but this october 2009, till today, we only had 5 or 6 rainy days. Some may feel happy cuz they won’t need to buy and bring umbrella; peasants are not cuz of their farming.
I hope that the Bloggers’Action of today will wake up millions… billions of people… governments… poor countries… rich countries… and then, we will altogether rescue the Earth. What I can and already do now is planting my own trees 
The second edition of Barcamp Madagascar was held on saturday, July 4th, 2009 at Ivotel Ambohidahy. Bloggers, journalists, citizens wanting to know more about new media attended the workshop.
Lova Rakotomalala
This year Foko has choosen the topic “Crowd sourcing info in Madagascar” presented by Lova Rakotomalala. The new media which is a digital communication tool for spreading information using blog, twitter, youtube, flickr… The new media which is more and more appreciated due to its quick and instant flow is also growing in Madagascar. The need of new media has been highlighted during the crisis of Madagascar. Some boggers then took the floor to share their experiences. We could hear Andry (Foko Antananarivo), Jentilisa, Avylavitra, Stefane (Foko Antananarivo), Jaona (Foko Fianarantsoa), Patrick (Foko Toamasina), Gaetan (Foko Antsirabe). The main purpose was about the Madagascar crisis. It seems like all of these bloggers exactly knew that they were running into troubles and big risks trying to take pics and eye-witness riots but could not restrain themselves from blogging.
We also had the priviliege to hear about different social networks: twitter, facebook, friendfeed… the web 2.0 by Thierry Andriamirado. By the way, it was the first time for me to meet @tandriamirado and I was really pleased. A blog is not enough if none knows about its existence, we do need social networks to get the interest of the followers, to share and to spread information.
The former Minister of communication, Tsilavina Ralaindimby attended the Barcamp 2.0. He acknowledged that Malagasy bloggers have done a great job throughout the crisis.
After a short break, the workshop kept on with Chris and Afick from the region of SAVA. They talked about a current project of establishing social radios in remoted areas in Madagascar. Working with Radio Active and BBC, Radio Ciel of Antalaha is now efficient.
Claire Ulrich
Claire, from Global Voice in French, talked about different cases of censorship all over the world. She said that nowadays, governments are aware of the power of internet and new media. This is the reason why they have created new systems to block disclosure of some information that may harm them. We recently heard about the case of Iran elections and the arrest of bloggers. Other cases of censorship are disappearance of the site or the bog, or some articles of the blog, or censored names which will be changed into unknown letters. How to avoid censorship? Claire advised each blogger to make sure to know the laws and regulations of their country in order not to give reason to the government to arrest them. Herdict.org has been created for each one of us about websites or blogs that do not run properly.
I attended the first edition of Barcamp Madagascar but blogging and stuff were too new for me to get really involved. This year was exceptionnally different because I sincerely felt concerned. Tahina and I should have even participated by presenting Foko-Ushahidi but I do not really know why at the last moment another guy has been invited by Stefane to talk about it. Anyway, it was cool.
Ushahidi which means “Testimony”is a social network which Foko has decided to work with inviting all citizens of Madagascar to report and to share any event, case, abuses… they have eye-witnessed by logging on http://foko-ushahidi.com or sending sms to (+261) 33 40 691 11.
Patrick and I
I was so glad to meet, for the first time, Patrick from BUEC Toamasina. Nice to meet you dear
A big hand to all of us guys
More pics on My Flickr
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.
“]![A group photo before leaving [ with FOKO and IST new bloggers :-) ]](http://ariniaina.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/3631892911_cc54be1618.jpg?w=500&h=375 "a goup photo")
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
Few days ago, we were all excited to hear about the trip of ESSVA (from Antsirabe) to join BUEC in Tamatave. I really wished I could join those teams just because they all looked so happy on the Morning song.
Though, on April 30th, Joan let us know about the loss of a friend. F
rédéric Tsiatosika Rakotondrajao, a young guy of 21, a student of ESSVAcomm, unexpectedly died in a tragic accident during his stay in Tamatave.
I did not personnaly know Frédéric though I really feel that within FOKO we are all friends and families. And this is the reason why I am sincerely so sad because of this loss.
It is hard not to talk about the missing means of emergency rescue at the beaches of Tamatave. The authority, the responsibles should now seriously think about establishing a plan for emergency help with life-savers (who will always stay around not at kilometers away from the place of tragedy), lifebuoys and a motorboat (which works) in order to avoid such catastrophic event in future.
Nevertheless, I believe that Frédéric would like to leave this message for us:
If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don’t you ever cry.
The love that’s deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You’ll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.
Saturday morning, r1lita and dadandry informed me about a bloggers meeting, “Tanà miblaogy”, which would be held on the afternoon. We, DagoMc, Moonlightgirl and I, decided to go there with the guys.
So, at 4.00 p.m., the five of us arrived at Phi Quest in Antaninandro. While waiting for the others to come, we ordered some tea and coffee.
In fact, this “Tanà miblaogy” was the 5th edition but was the first one my friends and I attended. My first impression was good cuz we had a very nice talk.
Some faces were new for me: Tattum, Tony Rakoto and Elsifaka. Nice to meet you guys. I’ve already met and had co-worked with Avylavitra and Saveoursmile (or Madafan). Barijaona was a “little bit late” .
Such meeting is always great cuz, first, it is an occasion to see face of nicknames we are used to talk to on the net; then, I really appreciated the exchanges of experience, opinion, idea and, the most important, the FUN.
During this meeting, we could listen to Avylavitra telling his misadventure with militaries. DagoMc and I were interested in Tony Rakoto and Elsifaka’s work which deals with informing all nice parties to go to in Tana (and in Fianarantsoa) on Tananalife. We also joked around with Princess Dadandry [I did it]
Huh… my last comment: you are not mistaken, yes, on the pic, it’s Sponjy Bob… our mascot LOOOOL
Fun, friendship, discussion… but bloggers tools are always present
Read also Tana Miblaogy by:
Tattum : Antananarivo miblaogy 5.0
Saveoursmile: Mon antananarivo Miblaogy 5
Avylavitra: Tana MiBlaogy andiany faha-5
R1lita: Antananarivo Miblaogy 5 – When I Met The Bloggers
The Big Boss
Wednesday, March 19th, FOKO Madagasikara organized a workshop about using Ushahidi at Teknet. This workshop was organized by Stéphane and led by Tahina ( a very good teacher 
).
working seriously
Recently, FOKO has signed up at this website called Ushahidi which means “Testimony”. Yes, and, from now, you are all invited to share all events you have witnessed at this link:
To take part into sharing news on Foko – Ushahidi, log on the link above, then go on Submit an Incident and start to report. To finish, you just need to Submit it.
You can put a link of a blog, a website or a video to support the information you share. See you all on
in the bus
So sorry, if it’s only now that I report our outting of December 21st. We, FOKO members had a picnic on that day. We made an appointment at the gate of the stadium of Mahamasina. We were supposed to leave at 9 a.m. but finally it was at 10 a.m. (waiting for late comers).
Did u think about buying Fresh for girls guys?
Stéphane and Ariel carrying the drinks.
dodo zaza ô
Kya brought the breads.
During the trip to Ambohidratrimo, we stopped for a while for shoppings: buying drinks and foods.
As soon as we arrived, we already started to eat and drink. [Tahina ; Koloina]
Lomelle and I knew we would still feel starved, so we left the pasta for laterer.
“Older” bloggers from Serasera shared experience to the new FOKO ones. Here, when I say Older, I do not mean age but life experience on blogging. Ok?
Hey time for pics guyz.
Ariniaina (me), Kya, DagoMC and Lomelle were the only girls at the party.
I could feel Stéphane a little bit nervous. I guess He worried we wouldn’t have fun though we did. Didn’t we, guyz?
listening to news on the radio
watching funny videos
playing chess
Ariel and Koloina were trying to feel smart playing chess lol [I'm just kidding guys]
doing karaoke
Our bus didn’t come to pick us up back to downtown; so we took another one which stopped at Antanimena. We walked to Analakely where we had a lot of FUN FUN FUN.
We all took a pic with dear Santa Claus. It was so cool. And to tell you the truth, it was the frist time I did such a thing. I always found it crazy and stupid. I still think so but it was also a lot of fun.
We made a lot of noise all around Analakely lol lol lol
It was hard to say goodbye because we had too much fun. When is the next outting guys?
One day, during ICE Club weekly meeting, we discussed “equality between men and women”. It was amazing to hear the male gender protecting their status and not wanting this claimed equality. They said that we, women, have to admit that power is in men’s hands. And I’m wondering what great things they have realized until now but wars, poverty, insecurity…
So you see how men behave even in a ,if we can say it, “modern minded” country.
I read an article about Ladies from Bangladesh on Rising Voices and I felt amazed, sad and even mad hearing that there are people women in this world who are still fighting hard for their rights. Yes, Bangladeshi women are fighting for their rights for centuries now.
I’m glad they have access to school (the first school for girls had been created in 1849). Now, (starting from 1925) they have the right to vote. But yet, those are not enough. Women in Bangladesh are victims of moral and physical brutality in their every day life. The discrimination and violence against women are mainly due to muslim and hindu religions and beliefs which are still accepted by the Constitution of Bangladesh.
A great thing to know, women in Bangladesh, by the help of Rising Voices and through Narijibon Projects, join the blogosphere and hope a huge change. A huge change because they can express themselves, they are heard, they are loved…
Nari Jibon Projects has been founded in Dhaka in 2005. This project is to provide alternative skills for poor or/and under-educated women by teaching them Bangla, English, computers… Also, they have joined the citizen media to let the world know about their stories, life,… them.
I invite you to discorver Bangladeshi women’s life, to hear their opinion, to share their experience, to find out their culture, to know their dreams and hope… by loging on
I am personnaly falling in love with these and want to have them.
A Bangladeshi girl ornamented with Baishakhi adorn
Designed hands with henna paste
Pics from Sristi Kotha ’s blog
A sweet hug for you my friends
I read Jogany’s article about “Pourquoi bloguer sur l’Afrique?” (Why blogging on Africa?). And I said to myself that I have to answer to that question too
So why blogging on Africa?
I didn’t know anything about blogging before I met FOKO. Since I’ve joined the team, I fell in love with the idea of talking about me , my country, its people, its culture… But the most important thing to me is to say how things are REALLY going on here. The main reason of this is because when you say “Madagascar”, none knows but poverty or The Movie lol . I guess, my friend Tahina is sharing my point of view when he has entitled his blog “Madagascar, not The Movie” ( Great work man, PROPS!). I like the movie and I am impatiently waiting for the 2nd one (since I love animation movies and cartoons lol ) but it is a fake image of my lovely country (Dago Tiako yeah).
I would not deny that we are “financially” poor but what is money when you have no time for a smile, when you have to go far from town when you want to see a tree, when you need to know the person you meet, if not you would not greet him or her, when you have to pay for a help? (need some Fihavanana eh). A cyber friend, ikalamako, talks about this so called Fihavanana in her great blog. huh… where I am?… What is money when you have to eat foods in can because you don’t have access to natural and fresh fruits and vegetables? geeeee… , …
So, why blogging on Africa?
Because people don’t know the “real” Africa. Well, my part is to blog on Madagascar as I live there.
Wanna discorver the real Madagascar?
The Cyber Observer will inform you about legal issues in Madagascar
Moma will drive you around all Dago
Log on Patrick ’s blog, he has a lot to say
Don’t miss Simp ’s blog, a very original one
and sipakv ’s, it’s so great
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