Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development

We are happy to announce that over 3,200 hearing aids have been distributed without cost to needy persons in Madagascar.  It is touching to see the faces of children who can suddenly hear!   The Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation, the Madagascar Ministry of Public Health, three Madagascar Rotary Clubs (Doyen, Mahamasina and Ainga) and their associates, and several corporate sponsors combined efforts on the ground.  The Ministry of Budget and Finance and the city governments of Antananarivo and Tamave facilitated the work.

Speaking into the mike is Bill Austin, CEO of Starkey Laboratories and Founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation, along with the Rotary Club of New York and the Madagascar Mission to the United Nations, got the ball rolling with the Starkey Foundation in 2010.  The Madagascar Mission to the UN continued to stimulate and encourage the project and its achievement.  Foundation board members Ambassador Zina Andrianarivelo and Scott Wright, along with Senior Fellow John German, and staff of the Madagascar Mission worked hard to make this come about.

Kids with Hearing Aids with Rotary and Starkey Volunteers

The project started in Madagascar in November 2010 with a visit by Starkey Foundation staff and organizational work by the Rotary Clubs to screen potential recipients.  The Rotary Clubs continued screening in spring 2011 in advance of a ten-day visit by the Starkey team in October.

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation, working with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, held its Fifth Annual Partners Against Poverty Event at the UN on June 3, 2011.   This followed the Global Summit on electricity on June 2, organized by the Global Sustainable Energy Partnership (formerly e8) and UN-Energy (see article below).    Over 30 people from business, investment, diplomatic missions to the UN, non-governmental organizations and international organizations participated in the June 3 discussions.  Participants and their organizations are listed either within presention sections or at the bottom of this article.

 We asked these experts to come because whether we are working in Haiti, the Dominican Republic or Madagascar, people want and need clean energy and local electrification, simple, affordable housing, and better cookstoves. 

PPAF Executive Director Dr. David Stillman opened and moderated the session.  Presenters included BioGen (Dominican Republic and U.S.), Medesco (U.S.), Habitech International (U.S. and Dominican Republic), WECAN, Inc., and Project Gaia (U.S., Ethiopia and Brazil).  A presentation was also made on Viridian Energy, whose program for non-profits will benefit the Foundation. (See article.) Read more…

Following the Global Summit for Public-Private Partnerships on Energy, on June 2 at the UN, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation will hold a Partners Against Poverty meeting also at the UN on Friday, June 3.  This will cover specific business prospects for community-scale electricity in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Madagascar.  The meeting will discuss issues arising from the Summit and introduce two technology companies with relevant business interests.   Seating for the June 3 meeting is limited.  If you would like to learn more, contact David Stillman, ppafoundation@gmail.com

 On June 2, Public-Private Alliance Foundation colleagues plan to attend a major summit on expanding electricity availability in developing countries,  to be held at UN Headquarters.  Government, private and civil society sectors will discuss and agree on best practices and the path forward for accelerating global electricity technology deployment.  If you or your colleagues are interested, and especially if you are practitioners or have experience in energy issues, feel free to register and to invite them to do so as well.

WHAT:      Global Summit for Strengthening Public Private Partnerships to Accelerate Global Electricity Technology Deployment 

WHERE:     UN Headquarters. 

WHEN:      June 2, 11 am to 6 pm. 

HOW TO REGISTER:       https://www.SignUp4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=E8GL10E  

Registration will close soon.  Also, please notify David Stillman, ppafoundation@gmail.com so we will know that you are attending.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Read more…

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation organized meetings from January 13 through 17 for representatives of Blume Distillation, LLC, which is planning to manufacture community-level distilleries for alcohol production that fuel clean cookstoves, motorbikes, etc.  The distilleries will accept sugar cane and a variety of other feedstocks and can receive support through distance monitoring.  The aim is to encourage agribusiness both in feedstock production and in co-products of the distillation process which can enrich the soil and support secondary markets.

Meetings were held with several potential private investors, with Ambassadors to the UN from Madagascar and Haiti, and with UN officials.  On the 15^th SImACT, a Haitian-American investment group, organized a session with more than 50 participants at their Brooklyn headquarters for discussions on both the clean cookstoves and the distilleries. 

On January 14, Blume Distillation represented and investors joined Stillman at the Conference for Teaching About the UN.  Blume staffed a display table at the conference along with Project Gaia.  Stillman addressed the conference on the topic “Fighting the Silent Killer in the Kitchen: Achieving the MDGs.”

Photos are available on the Foundation’s Flickr account.

Malagasy children - All deserve to hear

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation is pleased to announce the first steps for a project to provide long-term hearing aid support to Madagascar.  It will involve government, business, non-profits and the community. To facilitate this, PPAF board members and a senior fellow have met with Starkey Hearing Foundation President and CEO, Bill Austin and its Executive Director Brady Forseth.  Discussions with Ambassador Zina Andrianarivelo-Razafy of the Madagascar Mission to the United Nations have led to follow-up by Rotary Clubs and the Government in Madagascar.  Information on Starkey, a well-known American NGO, can be found at:  www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org   It began in 1984 and works in countries around the world.   

Mr. Austin has recently sent a letter to the President of the Transitional Authority of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina and Mme. Rajoelina, offering assistance and outlining how the foundation would work.  The letter notes that Starkey is already working in the region, in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana and Mozambique. 

Mr. Frederic Rondeau, International Director of Starkey, will visit Madagascar from November 25-30, for high-level meetings with the Government and Rotary, initial training of volunteers and identification of patients and other preparations toward implementation early next year.

In a meeting held in Antananarivo on November 10, representatives of Rotary Clubs, the Ministry of Health and other participants agreed to make “Aid for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing” as a Rotary program with Starkey Foundation.  Three Rotary Clubs in Antananarivo:  Ainga, Dean and Mahamasina, will take the lead.   A Memorandum of Understanding will be established between the Ministry of Health and Rotary.

The World Health Organization has estimated the number of deaf and hard-of-hearing in Madagascar to be approximately 1.8 million people.  Background information can be found in a very informative article and accompanying video from French TV:  Deafness in Madagascar    The video asserts that while about half of all Malagasy school-age children attend school, only about 1% of deaf children are in school.   Gallaudet University, the premier American university for the deaf, maintains a list of deaf organizations and schools by country, including in Madagascar.  The Public-Private Alliance Foundation previously facilitated donations of medical supplies and equipment to Madagascar through Project C.U.R.E., and corporate funders, which resulted in delivery of nine 40-foot shipping containers to several hospitals and clinics.

With great sorrow we report that “Raoul”, one of four composers in the Malagasy music group Mahaleo, whose real name was Raosolosolofo Razafindranoa, died Friday, September 3, 2010, at age 59, in Tamatave, Madagascar.

Raoul of the Mahaleos, New York City, May 2008

 Photo: Scott Wright

The Mahaleo website refers to him as the eldest of the group, the Landmark, the pillar, whom the other members of the group nicknamed the “dinosaur.” He had studied medicine in Romania and returned home with a heightened social awareness.  He wanted to convey to many the importance of land value and common sense farming in Madagascar. He was a doctor at the clinic of the port of Tamatave, a luthier and also built guitars using bike cables.  According to the Mahaleos, “He left us, but his songs are opening avenues of thought and action both pragmatic and poetic….they deserve to be reread and pondered as they are more topical than ever.”  Read more at http://www.mahaleo.com/ ; the siite also has links to the Mahaleos’ musical tributes to Raoul on Youtube. 

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation had collected donations for a solar panel for the school at Ambalarandra, the village where Raoul volunteered his services.  We are waiting to hear about next steps, and will inform donors as soon as we can.

Raoul, one of the members of the famed Mahaleo singing group from Madagascar, is in real life Dr. Raosolosolofo Razafindranoa, a physician in Toamasina.   The Mahaleos are known for their passion for their country, and for helping the Malagasy people.  [Voir francais dessous les photos.]

Raoul has asked PPAF to help raise $1,000 for solar panels to provide electricity for the village school in Ambalarondra.   This small school has been built with donations from within Madagascar and abroad, and with community labor.  Now, a canteen building has been added, for preparation and serving of meals for the children.  Providing a daily meal encourages families to send their children to school; it gives kids the nutrition they need and the opportunity to learn.  In the country as a whole, 42% of children under 5 are underweight for their age.  Education of children, and nutritious meals as part of their education, are their path to a better future. 

To help, follow this link  for donating on-line and in the remarks, designate Solar Power.  Or, you may send a check to PPAF, 166 Edgars Lane, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706.     

Schoolchildren at Ambalarondra

End of School Celebration in the Canteen

Raoul, un des membres du groupe Mahaleo, est actuellement Dr. Raosolosolofo RAZAFINDRANOA,  un médecin à Toamasina. Le Mahaleos sont connus pour leur passion pour leur pays, et pour l’esprit d’aider le peuple malgache.

Raoul a demandé a PPAF de lui aider à recueillir 1000 $ pour des panneaux solaires pour fournir l’électricité pour l’école du village Ambalarondra. Cette petite école a été construite grâce aux dons locaux et à l’étranger, et avec le travail communautaire. Maintenant, un bâtiment de cantine a été construit, pour préparer et servir des repas pour les enfants. Fournir un repas quotidien encourage les familles à envoyer leurs enfants à l’école, elle donne aux jeunes de la nutrition dont ils ont besoin et la possibilité d’apprendre. Dans le pays, 42% des enfants de moins de 5 ans présentent une insuffisance pondérale pour leur âge. L’éducation des enfants, et des repas nutritifs dans le cadre de leur formation, sont leur chemin vers un avenir meilleur.

Pour aider, suivez ce lien pour faire des dons en ligne et dans les remarques,  « panneaux solaires ». Ou, vous pouvez adresser un chèque à PPAF, 166 Edgars Lane, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706, Etats-Unis d’Amerique (USA).

Ambassador Zina Andrianarivelo-Razafy, Permanent Representative of Madagascar to the United Nations and a PPAF board member, has announced that the first of five 40-foot containers of medical supplies and equipment from Project C.U.R.E. reached Toamasina, the eastern port city in Madagascar.   

The Ministry of Health has assured customs clearance and verification of the goods, while the Ambatovy Nickel Project is providing costs of shipping.   Mialy Razakandisa Rajoelina, wife of the transitional head of state of Madagascar, and Patrick Hickey, the CEO (President Director General) of the Ambatovy Project, received the supplies at a January 30 ceremony in Toamasina.  

The first container is being provided to the university hospital, Hopitaly Be.  Future containers will go to two basic health centers in Toamasina and to Moramanga, Brickaville and Ranomafana.  Information is available on the Madagate website.  

Working closely with the Madagascar Mission to the United Nations,  PPAF underwrote the initial needs assessment carried out by Project C.U.R.E., and helped make contacts with officials and potential funders for the shipping as well as for other arrangements.  The Madagate article also points to the value of such public-private partnerships.

The Ambassador writes that he is personally coordinating preparation of official ceremonies of arrival.  He notes that pictures speak for themselves of the success of our common actions.

Your involvement and your efforts help make a difference in peoples’ lives.

We wish you Season’s Greetings, health and happiness and look forward to working with you in the New Year at the United Nations and in the Dominican Republic, Madagascar and Haiti.

By bringing together business, the international community, governments, NGOs and the aims of sustainable development, we can be stronger and can make the world a better place.

Best wishes for 2010.

David Stillman, PhD

Executive Director