FOKO: Doing More For The Community

Although many FOKO members were starting classes at University, April was a busy month with activities for FOKO Blog Club. Joan Razafimaharo summarizes a number of community events where the FOKO bloggers participated.

Foko Blog Club members from Tamatave and ESSVA arranged a get together in front of TLC in Barikadimy’s campus in Tamatave and they had a wonderful time. Patrick posts a video (above) where we can see the participants enjoying their time.

fokofredericBut a tragedy overshadowed their trip. Frédéric Tsiatosika Rakotondrajao (21), a student of ESSVAcomm, unexpectedly died in a tragic accident in Tahiti Kely Beach during his stay in Tamatave. Randy writes:

It was at Tamatave, on the beach said Miou-Miou, while he was swimming with her classmates in a study trip. The sea current is treacherous. Frederick has learned to its cost.

He went on to describe the lack of rescue boat and facilities, which could have saved him.

New Media Workshop For Malagasy Journalists At The APC  - Photo by Tahina

New Media Workshop For Malagasy Journalists At The APC – Photo by Tahina

On April 24th a workshop on new media was held at the American Press Center. Heri Zo, who previously worked with FOKO led the workshop helped by the Telomiova crew and Foko members. Tahina writes:

We started with the micro-blogging on Twitter.

Ando was among the journalists who were interested in the workshop. And here is a video of her telling what she thinks of it.

After explaining them the basis of Twitter and its basic use we told them that it is also possible to tweet from a mobile phone. A very useful feature for a reporter on site. We tried to activate their mobiles but the setup was costly. The international SMSs are 5 times more expensive than the local ones and this is still a big issue in developing countries like Madagascar.

Ariniaina writes about Tanà miblaogy (Tanà blogging) – a gathering of bloggers from Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar:

In fact, this “Tanà miblaogy” was the 5th edition but was the first one my friends and I attended. My first impression was good cuz we had a very nice talk.

Some faces were new for me: Tattum, Tony Rakoto and Elsifaka. Nice to meet you guys.

Tana Miblaogy 5, Photo by Ariniaina

Tana Miblaogy 5, Photo by Ariniaina

Tattum describes the bloggers of the meet. In this meet the bloggers used the opportunity to share about their experiences on blogging. Tahina wrote:

The most interesting part for me is no doubt when they shared their experiences during the on going political crisis. The difficulties bloggers have to face when they are on site.

Lova Rakotomalala writes in details how Foko Madagacar was represented in the Soul of the New Machine Human Rights Conference in New York. He tells:

Foko primary mission is to document the everyday lives of Malagasy citizens and local agents of environmental change, not record potential human rights violations by their government. Yet, the ongoing crisis decided otherwise for the time being.

Tahina, one of the managers of the Foko Ushahidi platform discusses about the background of the initiative in an interview with Solana Larsen for Global Voices Online.

Graffiti on the wall. Photo by Tahina

Graffiti on the wall. Photo by Tahina


Tahina posts some graffiti of Madagascar and he also talked with one graffiti artist. Ariniaina posts some photos of Tsimbazaza zoo after visiting the same.

Diana describes about a car blowing up in front of her as part of the violence that ensued the strikes in Madagascar.

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