Repair Spirulina Farm (Madagascar - urgent)

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Summary
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A series of cyclones destroyed my friend's Spirulina farm, forcing her to close nutritional centers soon. Hundreds in Madagascar have turned to Spirulina to survive. They all depend on one woman, Vola, and her Spirulina farm, who today for the first time needs your help. 
Spirulina  is a highly nutritious green algae, which  contains all proteins and vitamins needed in a healthy diet. For years, it has been the key to end under-nutrition, at record speed and efficiency.
Donate more to receive some fresh organic Spirulina from Madagascar as a thank you (when production starts again)!

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# The Problem #

A series of cyclone caused severe damage. Cyclones are common in Madagascar, but this one shut down production.
When we called, the situation was:
-80% of the roof protecting the Spirulina pools are gone; 20% are damaged. This is letting dust, impurities, small animals/bugs in, stunting Spirulina growth and quality.
-Electric equipment to the pools have been damaged. Specifically the electric valves used to stir the water (which are vital for Spirulina production!) are broken. We need to order stirring paddles, and metal gear from Europe.
-Most pools are leaking, that's 80000 of Spirulina containing water gone per basin. The pools need to be repaired with concrete foundation.
-The 4 smallest basins are left running but do not produce much.
-The fences surrounding the pools are gone.

We have helped as much as we could, with a few thousand euros. With this, we repaired the electricity supply to the house and the farm. We will repair some of the roofs and have ordered new metal casings to do so.

The remaining cost of repairing her Spirulina farm, mostly to buy materials, is 2980 euros.

As you will see, this is trivial for the amount of work and the huge responsibility that this campaign bares to hundred of people.
Less than 3000 euros to restart Vola's production ; Less than 3000 euros to avoid shutting down the nutritional centers!


# The Story #

Vola has been the pioneer in Spirulina harvesting and distribution in Madagascar. A professor in Marine Biology at the University of Toliara, she started a Spirulina farm in her backyard while completing her PhD.

20 years later, in additional to her teaching, she  runs, by herself, a 500m2 farm, employing 4 people, and feeding 4 pharmacies, 2 nutritional centers, and a few dozen clients in Madagascar.  Her farm runs solely on her salary (inconsistent because of frequent strikes and government sanctions) and her few paying clients.

With 300 euros a month, she runs a household of 12 people (as she adopted children of family members unable to care for them), pays her employees, buys ALL the supplies needed daily at the farm, travels to numerous places in Madagascar to distribute Spirulina and give talks, and orders more supplies from abroad which cannot be found locally but are necessary to grow Spirulina.

Vola is a pillar in her community. The success of the 2 nutritional centers depend 100% on her. 
-The first one welcomes children from all across Madagascar, and sometimes their parents, to receive a Spirulina-based diet for a period of recovery time. All of them arrive underweight, with severe symptoms of under-nutrition. After a few months, they leave healthy, with no vitamin/protein deficiencies, and back on track in their mental and physical development. All they eat is flower mixed with Spirulina. Vola also gives parents health diaries to have record of the children's weight gain and progress, as well as written advice on how to care for them in the future.
-The second center welcomes children and young adults with physical and mental handicaps. Often abandoned by their families, and unable to receive help anywhere else given the country almost nonexistent healthcare system, they come to the center starved. Here again, they receive not only nutritional care, but also love and community.

Vola's generosity is endless. She works 7 days a week, traveling to the centers, distributing Spirulina to clients who are unable to come to her. She is devoted protestant Christian and is heavily involved in her church. She frequently gives talks to parents I lived with her for 4 months and I can vouch that she is the kindest, funniest, most selfless, and most hardworking person I have ever met. She is a dear friend of mine, of my family, and never asks for help. She never does!


# How to Help #

In a few days, Vola will run out of Spirulina to give the nutritional centers. She already has cancelled all deliveries to paying customers for a few weeks. Vola needs your help, and through her, the hundreds of people in her community, children, young adults, parents, who rely on Spirulina to survive drought and poverty. Your help will save lives.

*******To receive a personal letter of thank you from Vola, with photos of the repairs and the children, help with 300 euros or more.

*******To receive your own package of Spirulina, in the amount you request, help with 500 euros or more.



# Pictures #

Here are some pictures of Vola and her work. Ask for more! Due to the lack of electricity, she could not send me much pictures of the damage itself, yet, but we are working on that!

Vola at the second nutritional center for the handicap.
Only current picture of the damage.Newly arrived baby. 7 months old, 3.35 kg. Fever, unfocused eyes, salivating, restless movements.The same child 1 month later. 8 months old, 5.5kg. Peaceful, healthy.The sister giving Spirulina to children at the first nutritional center.The sister teaching a childcare class to mothers at the first nutritional center.Vola at the second nutritional center for the handicap.Lunch time at the nutritional center!Fresh Spirulina at the farm when all was going well before the cyclone!
I will transfer the money to Vola's bank account.
My name is Daphnee, a French student in Amsterdam.
I know Vola because my grand uncle was a Spirulina specialist who tutored Vola during her studies. I have known her all my life, and went to visit her during a gap year, where I worked in the farm and at the nutritional centers.
Most of the pictures are mine. I can give you a few more!