Madagascar: Elyx Enjoys Peace and Tranquility

As world leaders gathered in New York for the first day of the general debate at #UNGA, Elyx continued to travel around the globe.

Madagascar, the world’s fourth biggest island. Once again Elyx was delighted to see the large UN presence.  Waiting for Elyx was a UNDP team at Mahitsy, a rural village, one hour from Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Our digital ambassador was given a tour of the island to witness UNDP’s work.

Elyx wonders how the civil status registration procedure works at the Public Records Office in Mahitsy. (Photo Credits: PNUD Madagascar/Raj Hassanaly).

First stop for Elyx was a Civil Status office. With support of the UND, Madagascar has computerized the civil status procedure. Elyx is astonished to see how quick the procedure to obtain a civil status certificate is. Whereas before the procedure could take up to two days, now citizens can have civil status in less than 30 minutes.

Elyx loves seeing the new growth and enjoys the breeze . (Photo Credits: PNUD Madagascar/Raj Hassanaly).

Along the way, Elyx met some villagers who teach Elyx how to grow beans. They use techniques promoted by local experts that are trained and supported by UNDP. Thanks to this, the cropping system has greatly improved!

Elyx finds the zebu a beautiful animal. (Photo Credits: PNUD Madagascar/Raj Hassanaly).

The villagers also reminded Elyx about the importance of the zebu in rural culture in Madagascar. Zebus are an important part of rice cultivation, as they run through the rice fields to trample the soil. The zebu is also a sacred animal for Malagasy people who sacrifice, exchange or eat it during births, circumcisions, engagements, marriages and funerals.

Elyx learns about composting (Photo Credits: PNUD Madagascar/Raj Hassanaly).

Finally the villagers teach Elyx all about composting and its use as a fertilizer. UNDP encourages locals to produce fertilizer from autumn leaves and cattle dung. A success story well embodied by Mahefa Rakotondramananan’s family, whose standard of living has impressively improved after attending a course supported by UNDP on how to produce compost. By putting these teachings into practice, the family could invest a part of its savings in poultry farming.

Elyx listens attentively and learns about the different causes of conflict. (Photo Credits: PNUD Madagascar/Raj Hassanaly).

Elyx travels on to Moramanga, one of Madagascar’s historic cities. It was in this city that the Malagasy uprising against French colonial rule began in 1947. In the city, Elyx attends a workshop organized with help of the UNDP to monitor how conflicts arise and how social cohesion and community safety can help prevent future conflicts. Elyx also makes time to see the famous ‘Wagon Moramanga’. A tragic reminder of the cruelty of colonization and the massacre of Moramanga.

Elyx visits the ‘train of Moramanga’ (Photo Credits: PNUD Madagascar/Raj Hassanaly).

The digital ambassador’s last stop was in Farafangana, where Elyx visits a youth club. There too Elyx learns new things. This time by children who teach Elyx some typical Malagasy songs and Elyx spends the rest of the day singing its little heart out. Tomorrow, the UN digital ambassador will visit Guinea and continue the 70 day journey to celebrate the UN’s 70^th birthday #UN70.

Elyx learns Malagasy songs. (Photo Credits: PNUD Madagascar/ Patricia Nabeza/Mino Arivola).

 

More Photos of Elyx in Madagascar (Full Flickr Gallery)