March 12, 2006

Dear all,

Manao ahoana! Inona no vaovao? [Hi! What’s new?]

This is my last day in Antananarivo before heading back to our
training site in Sambaina. I’ll be flying to Maroantsetra for my
permanent site visit in northeastern Madagascar on the 18th. I’ve
spent my time in town working out more concrete contact information
for my next two yaers in Madagascar.

I’ve finally found out my permanent site mailing address. WCS (the
Wildlife Conservation Society–the NGO I’ll be working most closely
with) has mail delivered from their BP in Maroantsetra once or twice a
week and will let me retrieve it from them in my village, Voloina, a
few times a week.

My permanent address in Madagascar is (please be sure to write AIR
MAIL on all letters):

Rachel Kramer, PCV
c/o Wildlife Conservation Society
BP 106
Maroantsetra 512 MADAGASCAR

For info on the Makira Conservation Site project I’ll be working on,
visit: http://www.wcs.org/Africa/Madagascar/Makira .

Also, I now have a cell phone! Hard to believe, I know. I should have
reception in Sambaina for the next five weeks of training, but after
that I’ll only be able to use the phone when I visit Maroansetra once
a month or so (no reception or electricity at my site). Would love to hear
from you!!! (The time difference in Madagascar is 8 hours ahead but while the US is on daylight savings time it will be only 7 hours).

My number is:
011-261-33-12-83253

My love to all. Life in Madagascar is tough but highly rewarding and
the biodiversity (or what remains of it) is just incredible. I love my
new home and wish you all could see it…

Do keep in touch!

All the best,
Rachel

www.rachelinafrica.com