7 Volume 33 No. 1 | Autumn 2023 Society Matters Madagascar visit gives first-hand view of project impacts The projects funded in Madagascar by the SVD Australia Province through the generosity of our benefactors and partners in mission are helping the people there to fulfil some of their most basic needs, says Fr Sunil Nagothu SVD, following a recent visit to the island. Fr Sunil visited Madagascar last year, representing the SVD AUS Province at the Thanksgiving Mass of Fr Francois d’Assise Andrianihantana SVD, who was ordained in Melbourne in November 2021, but not able to celebrate his first Mass in his home village for another nine months, because of pandemic border closures. Fr Sunil’s visit also had the aim of meeting with the formation board in Madagascar to further develop the relationship between the two provinces in supporting the formation of men from Madagascar. While in Madagascar, which is listed among the poorest countries in the world, Fr Sunil was able to spend time with the local SVD community, who showed him the situation of the people and the efforts of the SVD to assist their development. “It was eye-opening, that’s for sure,” he says. “They have so many challenges, especially in the very basic things, like having enough water, food and medicine. “The SVDs there have many outlying communities to visit, all by foot. They work with lay catechists. It takes four hours to on foot to reach one village and they stay overnight, celebrate the sacraments and then move on, carrying all their food and water. “There are big distances to cover and most people have no power at all. There is no running water and no roads. It’s a big island, but it is very dry, there is no water on most of the island, except during the two months of monsoon. On top of that, unemployment and illiteracy is very high. It is a tough life.” Apart from their sacramental presence, the Divine Word Missionaries are working hard in rural Madagascar to improve the lives of the local people, from young children, through education, to adults through justice and peace initiatives and women’s health projects, as well as reafforestation of the environment. The AUS Province also supported a project to help care for twins born in the Diocese of Mananjary, where one of the prominent tribes believes twins are a bad omen and they force parents to leave their twins in orphanages or be shunned by the tribe. Fr Sunil says his visit showed him how much the people appreciate the presence of the SVD in their communities. “The people are poor, but they don’t consider themselves poor, they are happy and satisfied with the little they have,” he says. “The faith of the people is also very strong and they come to church in droves. “The confreres there are very happy and willing to work hard. They welcomed me to see their situation and I know they are thankful for the support they have received from the SVD Australia Province through our benefactors.” Fr Peter Rego SVD with twins who are being supported by the AUS Province for the local parish to provide food and medicine for them. Fr Sunil Nagothu SVD pictured with the formation team of students and staff in Madagascar, with mission station confreres
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