Aussie News - Issue 24 - March 2007
Australian Aid to the Indian Ocean - The Direct Aid Program
The Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) has been finalised for the year. In all, we distributed AUD 45,000 of funds towards ten worthy projects in Madagascar, Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Donation of supplies to school room in
Madagascar. Ambassador Ian McConville
and spouse with shoolboys.
In Madagascar the DAP committee responded to the many requests for assistance in the education sector. Headlining this was the funding for the construction of an entire primary school in Ambohidratrimo, a region of five villages without a local school and where children are currently walking for up to an hour to pursue their education. We have also been pleased to fund basic equipment such as benches, chairs, cupboards, blackboards and shelving to schools in Ambohitrarahaba and Antananarivo. Finally, the DAP Committee was very pleased to donate English language books and dictionaries to readers to the Fiombonana Cultural Solidarity centre in Ambohidrapeto.
In other projects in Madagascar, the Australian High Commission funded the construction of a warehouse to stock local produce such as rice and corn. Future crops will be protected from insects and adverse weather during storage for either consumption by the farmers themselves or prior to selling. In turn, the warehouse will assist with job creation in the Analamanga region. Vocational training will also be given to the wives and daughters of fishermen in Anakao by the Sandrata Association following Australian funding of equipment for a sewing centre. The centre will provide training for the women in sewing and dress-making, thereby supplementing the family income.
Book donation to Fiombonana Cultural
Solidarity in Madagascar.
Results from hearing tests will be more accurate in Rodrigues following Australian funding to construct a soundproof audio testing room at the Gonzague Pierre Louis Special Learning Centre. While the centre already had the testing equipment, the tests were being conducted in a room curtained off from a class room. Given the number of referrals to these facilities from the community health centres and the regional medical services in Rodrigues, the new room to conduct these tests will ensure that a correct assessment is made.
The final DAP funding was rounded out in Mauritius by a book donation to the school library of the Soondur Munrakhun College in Long Mountain and the purchase of medical and other equipment for the Abri de Nuit (Night Shelter for the Homeless) in Plaine Wilhems.
While all funds are expended for 2006-2007, the High Commission would welcome further DAP project submissions for consideration next financial year (July 2007 – June 2008). Submissions conforming to the DAP guidelines can be lodged for the attention of the DAP Committee via email at [email protected] or by mail to the Australian High Commission, Rogers House, Port Louis. Please contact Yasmina Hosanoo for copies of the guidelines or for any further information.