Madagascar

So I spent the last month in Madagascar

I've been preparing to go for the past two years, spending every weekend raising money and organising projects.

During this process, it became apparent to me that very few people recognised Madagascar as a 'real' place. I'm not entirely sure how to explain this, but all I know is that when you tell people you're doing charity work in Africa, people rarely ask whereabouts. They see it as a massive area of the world that doesn't apply to them. Madagascar, to most people, is a tiny island with very few inhabitants. In reality, the country is of a similar size to France, with a population of 23 million. I'll admit, before given the opportunity to go there, I had given this country little thought. However, I now believe it to be one of the most magical places on our planet.
In the western world, we have a certain understanding of Africa, we view it as a poverty ridden world filled with sadness and loss. While the outcast villages I spent time in are definitely below the poverty line, the families living in them are by no means unhappy. I found this to be really inspiring. Of the many things I have learned from this expereicence, one of the most important things is to just be grateful for what you have, and focus your energy on what you DO have, not what you lack. These outcast villages are hidden behind brick walls and house families who are banished from society because they are believed to be unclean. These same people are among the happiest I have ever encountered. We entered their environment and were met with singing and dancing; a very warm welcome. All the children look out for one another and you can really feel the love and positive energy generated from their strength.
As the day drew to a close, we had lots of hugs, and then all piled into the back of a Toyota and bumped down the muddy track back to the convent where we were staying with the Malagasy nuns.
Out of all the things I took part in while in Madagascar, this is one of the things that will stay with me forever, I will never forget the people that I met and how they made me feel.
Thank-you, Madagascar.