- Madagascar has 14 million people -- 84% live in rural areas.
- There are 18 different ethnic groups in Madagascar, but
everyone speaks the same language: Malagasy. French is the second language.
- Madagascar is the 4th poorest nation in the world.
Education
In Madagascar, about 80% of the people can read and write, but
where Fanomezantsoa (Fan-u-MAY-zan-SUE-a) lives, only about 5% of the people are literate.
Christianity
Madagascar is about 40% Christian, with 1.5 million Lutherans.
But where Fanomezantsoa lives, only about 5% are Christian. Most other people are animist,
which means they worship their ancestors and believe that spirits influence their lives.
Witch doctors are consulted regularly. Every village has its own witch doctor. Each witch
doctor declares what is forbidden and determines "evil days," as in this story,
which may bring bad luck. People who follow witch doctors even seek their permission
before getting medical attention at the Lutheran Health Center.
Medical Mission
The Malagasy Lutheran Church supports 22 health centers
throughout Madagascar, eight hospitals and 14 clinics. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America supports the Lutheran Health Care System in Madagascar, which provides medical
workers, medical centers and hospitals, and medical supplies.
How you can help
The Malagasy Lutheran Church, through its health care
ministry, proclaims the good news of our living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in word and
deed. Because of this health care and hospital system in Madagascar, doctors such as Dr.
Baozandry Justine are able to reach out in Christian love.
If you would like to support the Malagasy Lutheran Church
Health Care and Hospital System, you may collect an offering. Make an offering container
and invite friends and members of your church to give money to Lutheran medical missions
in Madagascar. Please send the offering in the following way:
1. Make the check out to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
2. Write on the memo portion of the check, "Project #MM (MLC Heath Care)"
3. Send the check to:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
You can make midwife kits. Contact Global Health Ministries
for details (e-mail ghm@compuserve.com; phone 763-586-9590)
More Resources
- This resource, together with the
previous page, "Adopting a Baby in Madagascar," is
available in print. Order from Augsburg Fortress (1-800-328-4648),
code 6-0001-1823-6.
-
"Walking Together in
Global Mission" video, which was filmed in Madagascar. Call us at 1-800-638-3522,
ext. 2642, to request a copy.
- Madagascar Country Packet
on the web. Photos, information about the church, crafts, and prayers are included.
- Malagasy Lutheran Church Health
Care System (SALFA) on the web.
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