It was during the IEW Faire that slammers Lan and Kya proposed us the interesting idea of having Poetry Slam at the club. They exposed us how they’d proceed to explain and show the members what Poetry Slam is. “The goal is to show them that everybody can be a slammer” Lova said.

A week later, we had our first ICE Slam Session with a presentation about Poetry Slam followed by a workshop. We can say everybody had fun writing something of their own and then performing it in front of the others. The board decided to have a monthly session, more precisely every third Saturday of the month. It will start at 9am and will finish before the general meeting at 10am.

This video, produced by Lalah, shows the third ICE Poetry Slam Session and the ambiance during it. The guys were given 10mn to write something out from the words “Love”, “leaf”, “life” , “rain”and “laugh”.

Moon's books

Each time we have new comers at the club, we don’t fail to ask them “How did they know about the club”. An important part of them answer “From the newspaper – English corner“. When we started this project with the daily Midi Madagasikara about 4 years ago our main goal was to give people something “English” to read. A challenge that we didn’t know how it would impact Midi’s audience. One must know that Midi Madagasikara is among the daily papers that has the highest number of readers.

The feedback has been pretty positive so far and that encourages us (the English Corner team led by Ariniaina) to keep it up. I remember, Andry already told me that another news paper was doing the same thing – having an entire page in English language. Sounds good I said. In the past 5 years, Malagasy people has showed interest in this language and that has triggered lots of good things like tv  and radio shows, a leap in English courses attendance, boom of English institutes and so on.

So what is really goog about all this? Practice of course as we are dealing with “language”. The digital world and the evolution of ICT has opened new doors of opportunities to learn and practice English. Something that our fathers didn’t have. However, not everybody can enjoy the advantages of new technology that’s why the other supports have their part to play. Bookstores and schools should have books in English. There is sometimes a faire of English books in Tana (I don’t know how often) but it allows many young people to buy novels, vocabulary and grammar books. There are sold with audio tapes sometimes.

I know only two places (correct me if I’m wrong) where you can read English books. The one is at CNELA’s library and the other at the ACC. The last time I went to CNELA I didn’t have to be a student there to be able to rent a book. I hope it is still the case now. For the ACC, you’ll have to enroll at the ETP. Reading is important and one of the ICE projects is to have books for rent for the members. Some friends already proposed us something but our main problem is – so far – the place where we can put them. I hope we will find a place soon.

We used to have it every second Saturday of the month but we had to put on stand by due to the unrest. It was with a great pleasure then that the ICE members had the first session of this year. With a new start and a new host, we knew it was going to be special. Dago, kindly accepted to receive us at her place.

After the meeting, we all ate at a Malagasy restaurant close to our room 11. I forgot its name but it has tasty and cheap food. The ICE members took a whole long table and ordered turn by turn what they wanted to eat. Then, we took a bus to go to Ankandindramamy. We were numerous enough to fill almost all the seats of the little taxi-be 135 lol. I saw on the conducteur’s face the smile of satisfaction.

We chose “Enchanted“, a choice that honestly didn’t motivate me at all. It is a mix of cartoon and musical at the same time. You know the Disney kind that girls adore. But it turn out to be interesting, englishly speaking (does that exist?). The story is kind of fairytale so the English spoken in it was a bit formal. The actors spoke slowly and clearly. I guess the guys could understand most of what they said. I chatted with Tija, a facebook friend, last week and she asked if we put subtitles when we watched movies. I said no. She made a good point tough. Subtitles can help members remember and properly write the words that they’re hearing. For our first MS we asked the guys if they’d like to have (English) subtitles and the answer was “no”. They said subtitles may attract more their attention than the dialogue thus they may miss the story. Pretty true.

At the end the movie, the girls were still glued on the screen hypnotized by prince Edward loool :p while the boys ate all the food lool :p Next time we’ll chose bloody film.

We’re working on a new photo gallery that we hope will be operational soon. Therefore, the only MS5 available photos are on our facebook gallery.

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Independence day

The “Anjely Mainty” at the lake Anosy by Ariniaina

Madagascar got its Independence on June 26, 1960 right in Winter. Since my childhood I’ve associated this season to this important day. On June 25, everybody goes out to have a lanterns parade. Lamps of different colors come out with “jiro kapoka”, a can in which you put a candle and that usually little boys play with like they were driving bikes. And while you are eating maskita (barbecue) around Mahamasina, for you must fill your belly unless you want to have gas, there’s a chance that your ears get blown by the explosion of “tsipopoka”.
Eventually, the moment everybody’s waiting for comes, the Fireworks start, launched from the “Anjely mainty”, it lights the lake like a huge umbrella of thousands of mini lamps and gives it a incredible merge of colors.

Exams and winter break
Not very exciting for students, this period is the exams’ one. The time to put in question what you’ve learned all through out the school year. Actually, the state makes you sit for official exams.
It’s often the time where you have lots of chocolate and gifts to encourage you, wish you good luck and also where your mom is always on you saying “Are you ready, do you know your lessons, how about maths and sutff”, you know what I mean. Your nervous till the D-day, eager to be through with it and enjoy your more than deserved hollidays. The winter break is called “Grandes vacances” here and it marks the end of the school year.

Circumcision
The circumcision is among our tranditions – may be due to the fact that most of the Malagasy people are christian, and is practiced in winter, it is believed that injuries heal more quickly during this season (I think it may be true). Families queue up very early in the morning at the doctor’s door step. The little boys are wearing “malabary”, it’s a kind of robe made of Malagasy clothe, and most of the time accompanied by their father and uncles. Once the operation is finished they go back home and he will be rewarded with toys and congratulations for his courage and because he’s become a real man. This is an important event in a Malagasy family life that they celebrate with joy and happiness.

I haven’t really pay attention to it till one Saturday (02 weeks ago), I was surprised to hear Christmas songs on radio. How come I forgot it? The most important Christian event of the year? This is the problem when you devote too much time and energy to work, you tend to forget the most important thing which matters in life: family, the woman of your life, friends, … This is a problem which can happen (or which has already happened) to all of us. Too much concentrated with the material issues, we forget … we don’t care about the most precious value in life: love.

Yes, I know, life is hard, you have to make sacrifice to succeed … but there is also a time where we have to tell to ourself : “Hold on …” Hold on because I’m losing my family. Hold on because the girl that I’ve chosen between thousand is geting more and more sad and lonely. Hold on because I also need friends as I need money and social recognition.

I remember this famous quote from “Boyz on the Hood”: “I know shit about your business, man … all I know is that you’re a fucking loser without love!”

And I believe that this is the most important value that Christmas conveys to Human’s heart every year: love. Love with a big L. This love which makes you smile to the first stranger you meet on the street. The love which pushs you to understand people and to get rid off all clichés and prejudices. The love which makes you say to that special one: “I love you because it’s you …”

Yes, I really believe that there is a sort of Magic of Christmas, a kind of magic wind which spreads the smell of kindness and human tolerance. We all need to feel this magic inside of  us. We all need to feel this strange and naive kiddish feeling which can really make you happy.

Guys, it will be Christmas after 08 days. Here is my message to you: during these 08 days, try to do good around you without asking anything in return. Just do good. Make someone happy. Help those who need you. Give support and hope. During thse 08 days: give yourself a second chance.

Below you will find our cyber interview with Mrs. Voahangy RAMANANARINORO, Country Director of EXCELL camp:

1. Where does the idea of the project come from? (What has motivated you to do this project?)

The US and Malagasy organizers of this project were motivated by a desire to promote youth exchange between the US and Madagascar by providing language and leadership training to highly motivated Malagasy youth, using proven methods and experienced instructors from the US Dr. Whetstone, Mrs. Orsini and Mme Ramananarivo have worked for many years with youth groups and share a dedication to development and strong attachment to the youth of Madagascar.

2. What is the purpose of the project?

Excell camp – Excellence in English Language and Leadership – will enable a pilot group of 30 motivated and qualified Malagasy students to make rapid progress in English and to practice leadership principles through a specially designed program of sports, music, active conversation and community service, in a residential program that provides constant contact with American counsellors and American campers.

3. Does the EXCELL camp exist in other countries?

The EXCELL philosophy was designed especially for language and leadership training for youth in non-English speaking developing countries. The concept for EXCELL builds on a summer camp model that Dr. Whetstone has utilized in his 35 years practice with youth in the United States. This model seeks to reinforce learning and leadership through sports, music and community service.

4. Do you plan to have this project for the long run or is it just a kind of one shot try?

This is a long term project. A Malagasy NGO is being created to continue implementation over the long run. EXCELL camp is the first of a number of programs currently being discussed with interested groups in Madagascar.

Examples of other potential target groups and programs include:

- Instituts Supérieurs (team building and leadership for the student body)

- Corporate groups (language and leadership training for staff and/or children of staff)

- Excell camp for other age groups (children 10-14 and adults)

- English language professors (public and private schools)

Excell may also develop over time to include school linkage programs with Malagasy and US middle and high schools and student exchange programs within those schools. The directors of Excell camp wish to ensure high quality training using the EXCELL standards. To that end, they will train Malagasy trainers who will be certified by EXCELL to work in partnership with them.

5. Why did you make it only for people between 15 and 24?

We originally targeted the age group 14-18 but quickly found that the highest demand was among students in the schools for higher education (ecoles supérieurs) who were very eager to practice English and have contact with American instructors.

6. What will be the scheduled activities at the camp?

Activities will be programmed for each day of camp, from 7am to 10:30pm, including:

* Practical English language instruction, ongoing active conversation, film projections, practical reading assignments in specially selected books for youth, board games
* Two community service projects in Mahajanga
* Field sports for physical exercise and to to learn new sports (basketball, softball, American football, Frisbee)
* Workshops on leadership principles and application of those principles during sports activities and community service projects
* Active participation in sing-along featuring American popular and folk song, blues, rock and jazz traditions, songs from well-known Broadway musicals (Sound of Music, Cats, etc.)
* Educational outings in the region (national park, underground caverns)
* Writing an EXCELL camp journal, in English, to record activities, progress and friendships made during camp

7. Don’t you think that USD 250 – 300 is too expensive for most Malagasy people?

We are very sensitive to the cost factor and have taken measures to reduce costs as far as possible. The fee covers RT transportation to Mahajanga, room and full board, instructional and sports materials, health supplies and communications. All instructors are voluntary. We are actively seeking corporate and individual sponsorships to cover overhead costs and to finance a series of scholarships for deserving students who could not otherwise afford the camp. We are also working with the Instituts Supérieurs to encourage them to sponsor their best students. At least three institutes have already confirmed that they will pursue this suggestion.

If you are between the ages of 14 and 24 and are willing to take part in the EXCELL camp, the deadline for registering will be on May 15, 2007.
For more information, please contact Mrs. Voahangy RAMANANARINORO, Country Director of EXCELL camp ambato@wanadoo.mg

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