Dear friends,

We are organizing a fundraiser to support the families of Ranomafana's tour guide association while we set up a sustainable plan for alternative sources of income during times like the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Since the borders of Madagascar closed on March 20, all tour guides have lost their customers and their jobs and therefore cannot provide for their families.

Tour guides are essential ambassadors for Madagascar's wildlife. Join this mission to provide food for their families during the next six months (May - October), while the guides work with Dr. Patricia Wright and Centre ValBio to develop an online program to book virtual tours.

It costs $53 (approximately 200,000AR) to provide an entire family with the following essential food items which will last for a month: 

20kg Rice
1kg salt
1 chicken
10 kg Dried beans 
10 cans tomato paste
Assorted Vegetables
2L Cooking Oil
5kg Brown sugar
Bath Soap
3kg Washing Powder
Toothpaste
Dishwashing Soap
Toilet paper

We will keep you updated on how your donations are making a difference to the guides and their families.

Centre ValBio (CVB) was created by Dr. Patricia Wright in 2003 to help the local and global communities to better understand the value of conservation of the Madagascar biodiversity through research, training, health, and education. CVB encourages responsible use of natural resources in order to promote sustainable development in Madagascar. The Centre is committed to reducing poverty in and around RNP by developing ecologically sustainable economic programs such as providing support for the production of medicinal plants, reforestation, conservation and ecotourism. Ecotourism has been a core activity of CVB through providing training guidance and scientific information and data to tourist guides in the area.