We start today with a sad news. Remember baby Kamba, the one-year-old Tombotsara Ambinindrazana who was suffering from a rare case of frontal-nasal meningoencephalitis? A determined 18-year-old blogger and member of FOKO Madagascar named Diana Chamia first raised awareness about Kamba's condition with his blog post “Help Me Help Them“ in May 2008. The rest is an well documented history how he with the help of fellow Malagasy bloggers raised funds for Kamba's operations and the boy recovered.

A couple of weeks ago we got this sad news from Avylavitra that baby Kamba suddenly fell ill and has died after he was taken to a hospital. Avylavitra shares some words of resolution:

Let’s remember the wonderful work we did together for Kamba, keep it in your minds as one of the most beautiful memories and don’t give up on the many little Kamba who still need your help (…)

Diana wrote an emotional piece in her blog:

Thanks to him I know a lot about life. I keep thanking all those angels up today. Kamba, a farewell to the smallest Foko member.

Surely what the FOKO bloggers did for baby Kamba will be remembered by many across the world and be an inspiration for more social activism.

Image courtesy of Pakysee

Joan highlights the bloggers of ESSVA (Ecole Supérieure Spécialisée du Vakinankaratra) in Antsirabe where FOKO initiated its outreach activities in October 2008. Many who learned blogging there are still continuing. As Joan writes:

Imahaka, Raslmetal and Micramia were also very alert and took part at relaying news during this 2009 political crisis (they joined Facebook, Twitter and the Ushahidi Squad). We were also very happy to learn from Randy that the bloggers are still very motivated and have helped opening dozens of new blogs since.

Here are what some of the bloggers from ESSVA wrote:

Pchutedia urges others to watch the movie Slumdog Millionaire which is based on India.

Andrikely wrote:

After the manifestation of pro-Ravalomanana to Ambohijatovo in the city of Antananarivo, Antsirabe people led by the local authority began to express their distrust in government. The demonstrators have been meeting at the Avenue of Independence in the city since 25 March.

Imahaka writes that the current Malagasy society faces aids because they do not take enough precautions.

Now lets focus on the other FOKO bloggers. Patrick writes on the unsafe fashions of the Malagasy youth:

There are many young people who imitates a foreign fashion ..without thinking of the consequences such as: to tattoo, to do a piercing,…. In this case, it effects our precious bodies. Just imagine a young girls aged 18 ..with their small miniskirts which let others to see their buttocks, that provokes a rape temptation.

Rondro contemplates on the origins of the current political crisis in Madagascar:

Seems that the origin of all these crises are searching for property of a developing country and wanting to exploit the wealth of the poor of Madagascar. If so, open your eyes malgaches, we are no longer in the era of colonization … ..

Julienne wrote about the nails mystery.

Foko bloggers were highlighted in the international media for their role during the recent political crisis in Madagascar. They continued to send eyewitness accounts of the political turmoil.

Image courtesy Stephane

Here Andrydago writes “I remember that it happened on Saturday March 28th, 2009″.

Ariniaina posted photos of the protests of Ravalomanana supporters, who was ousted by Andry Rajoelina. Ariniaina also reports that citizen journalists were threatened by the military.

Tahina posted some backgrounds on the protests against Andry Rajoelina power takeover. He also posted a video of Razily, who protested on the March 28, 2009. He was later arrested and this video has made him a hero among supporters of Ravalomanana:

Tahina also posted photos and accounts of the protests on that day. More photos can be found in his Flickr account.

Image courtesy Ariniaina

On March 19, 2009 FOKO Madagascar organized a workshop on how to use Foko-Ushahidi, the crisis monitoring tool. Ariniaina writes about the proceedings:

This workshop was organized by Stéphane and led by Tahina…Recently, FOKO has signed up at this website called Ushahidi which means “Testimony”. Yes, and, from now, you are all invited to share all events you have witnessed at this link: http://foko.ushahidi.com

Tahina explaining the use of Ushahidi. Photo courtesy Foko Madagascar

Diana explaining the use of faecbook on twitter. Photo courtesy Foko Madagascar