From Madagascar Tribune
Guests of President Marc Ravalomanana, the head of Muslims Ismailis, His Highness the Aga Khan is on official visit to Madagascar for four days. He was greeted at the airport yesterday to Ivato by a strong delegation led by the Speaker of the Senate Rajemison Rakotomaharo accompanied by the deputy Dramsy Nizar.
During a press briefing he gave to the show honorary Ivato, he insisted that his visit will further strengthen cooperation between the Grand Island and the Aga Khan Network for Development (AKDN), focused mainly on rural development, microfinance and education.
Since 2005, the Aga Khan Foundation has launched an integrated rural development program in the region of Sofia whose main objective is securing and improving rural incomes of peasants. According to our information, this program has helped farmers in the area to triple their rice production. Moreover, in 2006, the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM) opened the First Microfinance Agency (PAMF) in the region of Sofia, in Antananarivo and Mahajanga in order to effectively combat poverty.
“Blessing … ”
Since independence, His Highness the Aga Khan visited the Big Island four times. For the Ismaili community, the arrival of the spiritual leader “is a blessing for our country”.
From Marovoay, Mahajanga, Ampanihy, Fort, Port-Bergé, the United States, Canada, Reunion, South Africa, Europe, Pakistan … Several members of the community, many came to Ivato airport yesterday to welcome the Aga Khan, have paid with tears of joy in his wake. The Ismailis, from provinces have rented buses and the poor are housed at the Complexe school Ampefiloha, thanks to support from the whole community. A lady from the United States has admitted that she is very pleased to see the Imam. “Surely, this is a blessing and an opportunity for me and our family to see him once in a lifetime,” she confessed. In total, more than 2000 Ismailis live in Madagascar and scattered to the four corners of the island.
In addition to his meetings with senior Malagasy ismaili and the community, the Aga Khan will review the programs established by the AKDN in Madagascar. He will also visit the Rova of Manjakamiadana. Note that this 49 th hereditary Imam of Muslims ismailis and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrating this year the “Golden jubelee” of his accession to the throne. He was admitted yesterday to Ivato, to the rank of head of state.
Ismailimail 
Good morning,
My parents are from Madagascar and though I have never lived there, I feel very concerned with everything that can improve the living of the Madagascan people. I have therefore read very carefully your article regarding the project in the SOFIA region.
Moreover, in his speech, His Highness Aga Khan mentioned that one agency of the Aga Khan Network is specialized in the building/setllement of hydroelectric workplant. The example given was that of the one built in Uganda. I would like to know if the “tools” put in place to help Madagascan farmers increase their yields and develop their region, include such building on the long-term. What about irrigation, transportation, roads etc. ?
Are there any websites I can refer to, to get these answers and have a sort of follow-up of this programme ?
Thank you very much for any information you will be willingful to give me.
Best regards,
Fabienne VAGNER
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Hi,
Try these resources:
http://www.akdn.org/news/2007nov27_ricebackground.html
AKFED’s home page, from which you can get information about
Bujagali and other projects, is at:
http://www.akdn.org/agency/akfed.html
Regards.
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