But in Madagascar, this situation, which requires us to reduce our travel, has highlighted the relevance of our VICs. These Village Information Centers, where five networked computers, powered by solar panels, allow us to continue to disseminate training and information in the villages. Since we do not have an internet connection (yet!), it is through "flash buses", USB keys carried by bush cabs, that the training programs are transmitted.
The demands are growing, whether for schoolchildren, teachers, women or farmers. Thus, this technology, both simple and modern, is proving to be extremely effective. And even illiterate people have access to it, quickly learning to navigate with the "tondro", the index finger: the mouse! This access to information, this opening to the world, gives rise to demands in more and more diverse fields. Our teams strive to respond to these requests by seeking out suitable content or developing it themselves. When we compare the village monographs produced 10 years ago with the situation today, the changes are sometimes striking.
But to multiply the VICs, as well as to meet the growing demands of the villages, whether it be to continue our actions for the training of teachers, for water supply in schools, for the training of women and girls, or for various innovations, we need your support more than ever. We are fighting to respond to calls for projects and to obtain public funds as well as from foundations. But your help is crucial. Talk about it around you, invite your friends to visit our website www.ongdefi.org. Thank you for your support.
Christophe Biays
Until recently, Madagascar and Togo seemed relatively unaffected by the pandemic. This was a false view, probably because the official data did not reflect the reality, even if the impact was less than in Europe.
