Fruit Trees for Madagascar [supported by 2 cents per meal]

Madagascar, an island country 800 miles off the coast of Africa, was established as a French colony. It became independent only in 1960 and a multi-party democracy in 1975. The country of some 14 million people is about 60 percent Christian. One of the assets as well as challenges of the church is that the president of the country is also the vice-president of the PC(USA)’s partner church, the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM).

The PC(USA) works through mission personnel and its partner church, the FJKM, which was formed by the union of three churches in 1968. The country and the church, with limited resources, are facing the challenges of depleted forests and the need to respond to and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, which is currently affecting 2–2.5 percent of the population. PC(USA) personnel are working in these areas and assisting with feeder theological schools preparing students for the seminary in the capital city and with literacy programs, church officer training, and leadership development.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, with over half of the population living on less than a dollar a day. It is estimated that 1 out of every 8 children dies before turning five. Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of mortality in young children. Every year (October – February), people go without food during the season when rice is not available.

Growing fruits is an important component of food security for subsistence farmers. Fruits have particular advantages for reducing hunger, especially high yield and availability to children. The fruits would provide an additional source of food during the hardship period. In addition, fruits are a stable form of agriculture that can help farmers reduce dependency on slash-and-burn agriculture, which is on of the major causes of deforestation in eastern Madagascar.

For more information click here.