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).
