My name is Steve Ezeude, and I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart for a community that has been a second home to me. In 2010, while working as a Canadian expatriate for SNC-Lavalin Inc. (now AtkinsRealis) at the Ambatovy Nickel project in Toamasina, Madagascar, I saw a profound need. Many talented locals were barred from life-changing jobs simply because they didn’t speak English.

In response, I founded a small-scale English class at the United Pentecostal Church (Fiangonana Pentecotiste Mitambatra Ankiriry) in Toamasina. With the help of fellow expatriates, we transformed the church’s facilities into a place of learning and opportunity. Over the years, we’ve seen incredible success—our students have gone on to secure positions at the Ambatovy project, other major companies, and even jobs overseas. The church became a sanctuary of progress, a blessing not just to the students, but to many of us who found a spiritual home there.

The Current Crisis:

Madagascar is one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. On February 10, 2026, this community was pushed to its breaking point. Cyclone Gezani slammed into Toamasina (Tamatave) with violent winds of 250 km/h, leaving a trail of "total chaos".

The impact has been devastating with a widespread destruction. Approximately 80% of the city's infrastructure is damaged, with over 25,000 homes destroyed across the region.

Total Loss:

Many of my former students and church members have lost everything and are now living in temporary shacks or are entirely homeless.

Urgent Needs: The city is currently operating on minimal electricity and lacks clean water, leading to a high risk of disease.

How You Can Help:

The people of Madagascar are resilient, but after years of repeated cyclones, they cannot rebuild alone. Your donations will go directly toward:

Emergency Relief: Providing food, clean water, and hygiene kits to displaced families.

Shelter:

Helping church members and students repair or rebuild their homes.

Restoring Our School: Repairing the church facilities so we can resume the English classes that provide the only path out of poverty for many in this region.

I have seen firsthand how much this community gives to others. Now, it is our turn to give back to them. Please consider donating and sharing our story. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings hope back to Taomasina and other parts of Madagascar affected.

References:

CYCLONE EMERGENCY IN MADAGASCAR On 10 February ...

Feb 17, 2026 — CYCLONE EMERGENCY IN MADAGASCAR On 10 February 2026, Tropical Cyclone Gezani, one of the most violent ever recorded in the regio...

Facebook:

Madagascar cyclone death toll hits 40, 16000 displaced ...

Feb 13, 2026 — Madagascar cyclone death toll hits 40, 16,000 displaced; Mozambique braces. Gezani is forecast to return to cyclone status when it...

Al Jazeera

Madagascar: ‘Overwhelming’ destruction, surging needs after back- ...

Feb 13, 2026 — Goossens insisted. * Nearly 40 deaths. She said that according to the authorities, 80 per cent of the city has suffered damage and...

www.ungeneva.org