Before Vakan'ala aka Pearls of the forest, the three founders: Daniela RAKOTOMAMONJY, Jerome LEBEAU and Andriankoto RATOZAMANANA met in the field of environmental work in Madagascar, the protection of biodiversity have always been their deeply rooted passion, which later became their career.

Their path crossed with a community concerned about the fate of a village in Manambolo, in the southern part of the island, who approached the three founding members and explained their situation, exposing the several environmental problems they face daily. So far they managed to protect about 800 hectares of primary forest, since they have little authority, and due to external pressure they fear they will not be able to protect several other hectares of endemic fauna and flora.

Following this alarming distress call, driven by similar visions and principles, the three founding members were determined that they had to play a role in changing the fate of this village. Regardless of whether they would be limited to work on a small scale, they felt small changes will eventually make a difference.

Loyal to their visions and principles, Pearls of the forest (Vakan'ala) found its first mission, the search for funding in order to step forward started. However during this period, financial aid were temporarily frozen in Madagascar due to unstable political situations. It therefore resulted into an important downward spiral in terms of funding. Nonetheless in order to start Vakan'ala had to find funding elsewhere, other than from national and international institutions. At this point the “Earth Christmas was conceived, where for each Christmas tree cut and sold all over the world, a donation could be given to sponsor the plantation of a tree in Madagascar. Initially it was to test out whether money was an issue for our cause, but we concluded that others were just as concerned about the environment as we were and were there of willing to participate and we are thankthul every day for your support. At present, the NGO's funding is mainly generated through crowd funding such as Humanity calls via an e-bay competition, Global Giving Green challenge, and lately 1% Club via the internet.

Vakan'ala or Pearls of the Forests believes that the environment in Madagascar belongs to every Malagasy and and in tha same time Madagascar's endemic species undoubtedly have to benefits all of humanity even simply in term of knowledge of Biodiversity. Moreover protecting its fate cannot be the responsibility of one individual only, it would be an unbearable and impossible load to carry. Since Madagascar's environmental issues are undeniably extensive and complicated, Vakan'ala or Pearls of the Forest had to find a starting point, in Manambolo and its community. In the future the cause will not be limited to the Southern region only. Vakan'ala plans to expand all over the island to implement similar life saving projects near these thousands of unprotected forest fragments in Madagascar.

We also works towards raising awareness, through thorough communication strategy and offers a chance for those in the South to have a voice, because they too deserve a decent quality of living, clean water, sanitation, education, health and so on. Vakan'ala is an opportunity for us to help protect Madagascar, its fauna, flora and its people. In the long term eliminate the very core issues of survival, employment and break the cycle of poverty through sustainable development.

Vakan'ala has also been spoiled with the participation of many other members from various field of expertise. They too found their passion and inspiration for the cause amongst many are: Vohangy Ramariavelo Grenier (Artist peintre and good will ambassador - US), Nataly Andria (musician and good will ambassador - France), Michaella Andrianasolo (Editor in chief, Good will ambassador - UK and the Netherlands) plus all of our supporters around the world since the begining of this journey (december 2009).

At present the NGO is creating a music video with the collaboration of various well known artist singers and producers, including Fanja Andriamanatena (an Icon of Malagasy music, song writer), Silo Andrianandrainy (Arrangeur, Genius Musician who have performed with Stars in the country and worldwide), Rado Andriamanisa (film director), Jenny Raharivola (Artist Singer and talented composer that you will discover very soon)... and more.

Together they contributed to raise awareness and incite Madagascar and the World to never loose hope and act because the only thing that can jeopardise our effort to save these forests and help communities is our unwillingness and refusal to ACT.

Michaella A'solo
EC