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Madagascar has been the object of much media speculation lately – deadly protests, overthrow of government, military takeover, a new leader who  dissolved congress and proposed writing a new Constitution to create the Fourth Republic since Independence in 1960.

One of the desperately poor countries of the world, Madagascar was just beginning to get on its feet after prolonged years of corrupt government. There was hope that, with the proclamation of the third Republic in the 1990s, corruption could largely be curbed. But it’s very difficult to eradicate corruption from entrenched customs – legal or otherwise.

As Time Magazine noted in the April 13, 2009 issue, more than just political and social realities have fallen into a vacuum with this takeover. “There are at least 8 million unique species of life on the planet, if not far more, and you could be forgiven for believing that all of them can be found in [the]… rain forest of Madagascar.” Often called a Darwinian paradise, Madagascar contains many endemic life forms – meaning that they are only found there –  with 90 % of its plants and 70% of its animals falling into this category. In this time of political upheaval most restraints are forgotten or ignored, and the extinction of thousands of unique life species will be exacerbated.  Worse yet is the human misery that is caused.

 


In a recent communiqué, Bishop Donald Pelletier tells of one of the measures he is using to keep people informed.

As you know we have a Catholic radio station here in Morondava. It helps us in our work of education and evangelization. Despite the heavy cost of electricity and salaries we have been able to maintain informative programs with more and more people listening to them. When we went on the air three years ago there were two other local private radio stations sponsored by international NGOs – all in view of education and information.

 

This year during cyclone “Fanela” the transmitters of both those stations were extensively damaged, leaving us alone to broadcast updated news of events and happenings. This has put a very heavy burden on our staff and equipment.

The country has recently entered a serious political and social crisis. Events are moving all too quickly. We are the only radio station able to reach the local population and inform them of events that are changing the history of Madagascar. Fortunately we have a satellite connection to Radio Don Bosco in the capital, Antananarivo, where we pick up two hours of reliable and honest information. When I walk around town I am gratified to hear the positive remarks about the service that we are presently offering to the local population. This is their only source of information on events in Antananarivo and how this crisis is evolving and affecting them.

We have had to hire two new reporters at $100.00 a month. The good news is that we now have some income, through ads and announcement of up-coming public and private events, to cover part of their salaries. In two months our Catholic Radio has become the Voice that brings Hope and Light to the population of Morondava, and to surrounding cities, towns and villages. Without taking sides I myself must help the people understand these events in the light of the Gospel. We have had to set up extra security around our broadcasting facilities because some people would like to silence it. Any financial help to maintain our Radio Apostolate we would be greatly appreciated.