A small French charity with two homes in Madagascar
Founded in 2006 in Laval, western France. Entirely volunteer-run, with two local committees in Madagascar: in Fianarantsoa and in Toliara, also known as Tuléar.
Twenty years, two countries, one rule: build only what we can go and see
It began in 2006 with 45 kg of toys and clothes sent to Madagascar. The following year it was 240 kg, and support for two schools.
One thing quickly became obvious: sending parcels was not enough. In 2008 the association rebuilt a bridge that reconnected three villages and restored food deliveries to the orphanage. That was the turning point: AMBEOKA stopped being a charity that sends goods and became one that builds.
Two local committees followed — in Fianarantsoa in July 2008, in Toliara in 2009. They run the building work day to day, choose the builders and report back on progress.
The second orphanage is named after Marie-Louise Labaud, our treasurer's mother.
What sets us apart
We go and see
We only fund projects that members of the association can go and inspect in person. Every trip since 2008 has produced a written report.
We publish every figure
Each project appears with its real cost: €1,750 for the bridge, €20,000 for the first orphanage, €2,000 for the land in Fianarantsoa, and €35,438 so far for the second.
We are all volunteers
No salaries, no overheads. Our income comes from memberships, from fundraising evenings in Laval, and from donations.
The other half of the work
An orphanage in Madagascar is also paid for in a village hall in western France. Concerts, Malagasy dinners, fundraising evenings: that is where most of the money is raised.
Where the money goes
It is the first question any donor asks, and rightly so. Our answer fits on one page: our work, where every project appears with its date and its cost.
Our income
- Membership fees, at €20 a year
- Individual donations, including some from as far away as Asia
- Fundraising evenings and markets held in Laval
- Income earned locally by the small businesses we funded: three cycle rickshaws and two shops in Toliara
Our spending
- Building and maintaining the two orphanages, the school and the infrastructure
- The school canteen, free for 250 to 300 children every school day
- Supplies: school equipment, computers, clothing
- No staff costs whatsoever. Members who travel to Madagascar pay their own way
The association at a glance
A question, a partnership proposal, or an offer of help? Write or call: someone from the association will reply, in French or in English.
- Legal status
- A registered French charitable association
(an association loi 1901, under the 1901 law on voluntary bodies) - Founded
- 2006, in Laval, France
- President
- Mrs Vololoniaina Ravelonjanahary
- Registered office
- 91 avenue de Mayenne, 53000 Laval
France - Telephone
- +33 2 53 22 86 18
- ambeoka@gmail.com
- Tax status
- Recognised in France as an
organisme d'intérêt général - Paid staff
- None. The association
is run entirely by volunteers - Membership
- €20 a year
Become a member, and the building carries on
Become a member for €20 a year, make a donation, or come and help run a stall: every kind of help counts.
Donate or join