ANTOLOJANAHARY (English version)

Tonga soa eto

ANTOLOJANAHARY Father Pedro’s “model city”

Madagascar – 1989-2019

The ghosts of the Andralanitra landfill. – Reproduction and distribution rights provided free of charge by the Fabrice Delannoy Gallery for the making of this document. – Fabrice Delannoy Photography / DR © 2007.

Right page: Sunday service Akamasoa 20 April 2014 – Photography © Schaeffelse. – Personal Work/ Father Pedro – Helping the needy - Creative commons license CC BY-SA 4.0.

«The poverty that we have experienced for over

ten years in Madagascar is unbearable and unsustainable.

This cannot continue without creating general chaos, plunging the entire country into an abyss from which it will be difficult to exit unscathed.

If things do not change in all areas, this situation will cause the suffering of thousands more children over several entire generations»…

– Père Pedro – [ Source: Progress report Akamasoa 2018 / Introductory Message.

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IMAGES

---------------------------------------------------------------------------01 – The main street stretching from the clinic to the North West entry of the village to the chapel.

02 – Antolojanahary is a village nestled amongst the trees.

03 – School buildings are numerous in Antolojanahary.

04 – Welcome structure, the refectory.

05 – The gym for physical education activities.

06 – Good living in Antolojanahary.

Who is Father Pedro?

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Father Pedro Pablo OPEKA is known throughout Madagascar and all over the world.

He is known for his commitment to help the needy, the outsiders, those who were left behind…

Father OPEKA is a builder. A man of convictions, he founded the Akamasoa association in May 1989.

Father Pedro’s activities are based on education, work and discipline. His fight is seen and known through the Centers in Manantenasoa (created in 1990), in Andralanitra (1991) and in Mahatsara (1993), all located in the outskirts of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on the National Route 2 that leads to Toamasina, on the East coast.

A thirty year long combat, the statistics speak for themselves, to name those that concern the population.

See for yourself: – 18,133 permanent beneficiaries at the site in Antananarivo; – 76 new families (183 individuals) welcomed permanently in our villages; – 3,863 familles in all; – 479 familles living nearby who benefit from direct aid from Akamasoa. [ Source: Akamasoa – Progress report 2018.

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There is another center, a lesser known village where it is worth lingering, as these images demonstrate.

For it is here, in Antolojanahary, that it all began.

— «Tonga soa eto (Welcome to) Antolojanahary!»

Antolojanahary, Father Pedro’s “model city”?

We can call it a pilot village of these first residents, who came out of the Andralanitra landfill, some of whom came and became farmers, midwives, school teachers, builders, carpenters…This is a model that deserves to be studied, a project that grew slowly, which must be nourished to reach its full potential.

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IMAGES

---------------------------------------------------------------------------01 – Dominating the forest, Antolojanahary’s high school stands as a landmark.

02 – Children sometimes come from very far away to study.

03/04/05 – Nearly 1,600 students study in Antolojanahary.

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Antolojanahary is tucked in the hillside near Ankazobe, on the PK 60 heading from the capital along the National Route 4 that leads to Mahajanga. Antolojanahary was the first Center built by Father Pedro OPEKA. An experimental site that dates back to 1989.

Antolojanahary is where it all started.

06 – Like many buildings, the middle school is shaded by the trees.

07 – Construction of student housing.

08 – Rooms for the teachers and permanent personnel.

09/10 – Bungalow for visitors.

In Antolojanahary, children study from elementary school through high school. There is also work. Antolojanahary is also in need of food. Housing was built in Antolojanahary, since some students walk up to eight hours to come to class and sleep on site.

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1989 – 2019 In the beginning there was nothing Furniture and clothing is made Antolojanahary and of course there is training.

The professors and teachers live on site, along with the rest of the permanent staff.

There is a health center and a chapel.

Antolojanahary is a «fertile» site beneficial to all. It can even be a tourist stopover, a spiritual or benevolent site.

There are comfortable bungalows there to host you…

Antolojanahary is something else indeed.

Antolojanahary is a vision where strength lies in numbers since in the beginning, there was nothing, not even a tree.

Yet in thirty years, a village was built on the faith and will of one man. Born out of solidarity and donations, Antolojanahary demonstrates that together, it is possible to succeed in the middle of nowhere, starting from zero.

Thanks to the efforts, support and determination, thirty years later, where there was nothing there are now roads, schools, a middle school, a high school, a health center, water, electricity, crops…Not to mention thousands of trees that were planted over the years. Today, the forest dominates Antolojanahary. The forest is everywhere.

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In creating this first village, Father Pedro’s goal was to encourage people to settle, to limit the exodus toward the capital. This extraordinary community builder imagined the Antolojanahary Center as an enjoyable place to live, to settle down, where one could even make a life for oneself.

Located in a remote, sparsely populated region where the economy is uncertain, the village of Antolojanahary and its infrastructures now benefit as many people as possible.

Antolojanahary has become a center, a community with social and economic draw.

Herein lies Antolojanahary’s success.

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IMAGES

---------------------------------------------------------------------------01 – Traditional homes in Antolojanahary.

02 – The street that leads from the stadium to the chapel crosses the school complex.

03 – Certain homes are made from traditional terra-cotta bricks.

04 - 08 – Physical education classes.

05/06/08 – In Antolojanahary, as in many areas of Madagascar, sports are usually played barefoot.

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A bold project!

Antolojanahary is intended as a community, a vector by which education, work and leisure activities motivate people to settle in the region.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------«These twenty-three players succeeded (…) in uniting all Malagasies-generating a national sentiment and uniting the extremes.» [ Partial quote from an analyst, published in L’Express de Madagascar magazine July 1 2019 and relayed by Courrier International in its online edition the same day concerning Barea’s qualification in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 by two to zero against the Nigerian team, the Super Eagles.

Although he left behind football (his first passion) for priesthood, Pedro OPEKA wants to open Antolojanahary to sports, to create a club and Football Academy. He wants to use football as a vector, a social connection.

Football is formative. It develops honor, courage, team spirit, commitment, sharing and solidarity. Football brings people together. It unites. It generates a feeling of belonging and union. Madagascar’s football team Barea proved this.

Thousands of youth dream of wearing their team colors.

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Creating a club, forming an academy, training amateur clubs, detecting young talents…This is what an accredited football field will allow.

To reach this goal, the Center in Antolojanahary envisions rebuilding the current field. In Antolojahanary and in the region, many already dream of playing there.

An extension of education, work and discipline, sports promote self-confidence. Sports are an excellent remedy for inactivity. Football is enticing, it offers entertainment, a reason to get together for distraction, have fun, escape, and forget…

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IMAGES

---------------------------------------------------------------------------01 – A water reservoir on the outskirts of the forest.

02 – The association’s nursery «Seeds of life».

03 – The forest road that leads from the National Road 4 to the village of Antolojohanary.

04 – Care is given in Antolojanahary.

05 – Solar power plant producing energy for all.

06 – Map of Antolojanahary.

07 – Current sports field .

01 Zone de cultures Hâbitat

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Hâbitat 05

Zone boisée 06

Zone boisée

D C 07

Hâbitat

A

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Zone de cultures

B 09

100 m.

Hâbitat

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Hâbitat

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ANTOLOJANAHARY

---------------------------------------------------------------------------01 – Health clinic.

A – Kindergarten class site.

02 – Solar plant & market.

B – Elementary school site.

03 – Nursery.

C – Middle school site.

04 – Workshops for wood

D – High school site.

and manufacturing.

05 – Restaurant & lodging.

06 – Room for official receptions.

07 – Sunday service.

08 – Gymnasium.

09 – Basketball court.

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10 – Police station.

11 – Sport field .

The power of sports

In Antolojanahary, the football field is a dirt field.

Water is too scarce to grow grass. The upkeep that grass requires would be an obscene luxury. Water is mainly used for agriculture and daily needs. Therefore, dust and mud often make the field unusable. Players are easily injured on a dirt field.

In addition to football, the site is used for outdoor sports activities. Located on the periphery of the village at the Southeast entrance close to the new high school, the middle and elementary schools, and near the housing. This area is known to all. In its current state, it is used both by the students and the rest of the population.

The options envisioned for the acquisition of an accredited field and a quality trail will allow youth or amateur clubs to practice their sport efficiently and competitively, and will enable others to engage in physical activity or go jogging.

The idea of an academy which motivates this field project should be considered a defining element for the attractiveness and development of the region, like access to lodging, energy production, the health clinic, schools, reforestation, road construction, water reservoirs and the association’s nursery «Seed of Life»…

A veritable tool

ANTOLOJANAHARY – SPORTS FIELD PROJECT

---------------------------------------------------------------------------01 – Accredited football field 100 meters x 60 meters = 6.000 m2.

02/03/04 – Safety zone 02 – Right track 111 meters x 5 lanes 1.22 meters = 680.15 m2.

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03 – 2 lane athletic track 106 m x 2 lanes size 1.22 m = 260,29 m2.

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04 – Left area without lane = 373,21 m2.

04 – Right area without lane = 300 m2.

05 – Benches.

– Tartan track: 1.383 m2.

– Turf: 6.000 m2.

– Border: 218 m2.

Left page – Example of finished field with athletic track.

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[ Photo: source AHC.

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FEATURES The current site is large enough to install a 100 meters x 60 meters football field appropriate for amateur or youth-level clubs.

Also envisioned: – A 110 meters five lanes fitness track; – A jogging trail; – A sand box to practice the long jump.

Football field [marker 01] in green synthetic turf 100 m x 60 m, for a surface area of 6.000 m2.

The entire safety zone [markers 02/03/04] will be covered in tan synthetic turf.

FIFA regulations require a 100 meters x 60 meters play space with 2.5 meters safety area bordering the play area [markers 02/03/04], without obstacles.

When not used for official games, this same area will be used as a jogging and fitness track [marker 03].

For athleticism, there are also five lanes of red-ochre synthetic turf with permanent marking strips. [marker 02].

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Images ---------------------------------------------------------------------------01 – Detail of synthetic turf for football and for the track.

02 – Example of an accredited football field in synthetic turf.

03 – Laying down strips of synthetic turf. [ Photos: source AHC

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We are ready!

Other than purchasing the turf overseas, this is a formative project, carried out with the villagers, using locally purchased materials.

The construction of such a field is a beautiful opportunity to come together, join forces and to be able to say proudly, «I participated!»

People here are brave, they are not afraid of physical labor.

The knowhow and experience acquired by the residents while building this field will facilitate its upkeep. New jobs will undoubtedly be created.

The construction should take an estimated six months.

Most of the work will be done by hand, as is almost always the case in Madagascar, by men and women from about 50 families.

In Madagascar, men are usually favored over machines.

Therefore, few machines will be used.

Some numbers: – 8.000 m2 of land to level; – 2.000 m3 of gravel to crush; – 400 tons of sand to sift; – 500 m of trenches to dig; – Concrete to mix; – 8.000 m2 of turf to lay down and attach.

Are you ready to support us?

This project is greatly anticipated.

CONTACT: ASSOCIATION «LES AMIS DU PÈRE PEDRO» – Île de La Réunion –

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Sources ---------------------------------------------------------------------------– Akamasoa Center of Antolojanahary.

– Akamasoa – Progress report 2018.

– Wikipedia.

– L’Express de Madagascar in Courrier International.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------[ Graphic and visual design, cartography, texts and images of Antolojanahary: – Monsieur Eric © 2019. – www.monsieur-eric.com

Contact details ---------------------------------------------------------------------------THE ASSOCIATION «LES AMIS DU PèRE PEDRO» (Friends of Father Pedro) was created in November 2007, at Father Pedro’s initiative and thanks to Mr. Yves François, president of this organization. The association is located on the Island of Reunion, which neighbors Madagascar. The association is one of Akamasoa’s sponsors.

Acknowledgements…

---------------------------------------------------------------------------– To our late friend Hervé who encouraged us in this project.

– To Lydie, Anthony, Sylvain, Marius, Didier, Alexis, Philippe, Gérard, Gilles, Inès, Coralie, Joël, Hugo, Inigo… to the entire team at HCB, to Mrs. Nicole for the translation of texts and to all those who support us; – To «Madame» Adeline and her husband for what they shared through the discovery of this extraordinary place; – To all the personnel and teachers for their warm welcome;

Association « Les Amis du Père Pedro » 26 bis rue Eugène Dayot – 97434 Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains Île de La Réunion Tél: +262 262 24 52 18 / +262 692 56 69 82 E-Mail : amiperepedro@yahoo.fr

– To the Fabrice Delannoy Gallery for the photo of the Andralanitra landfill; – To Schaeffelse for the photo of Father Pedro CC BY-SA 4.0; – To the children for their smiles; – For the goodwill of all.

This brochure was created with the support of the Akamasoa Center in Antolojanahary. www.perepedro-akamasoa.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Association « Les Amis du Père Pedro » 26 bis rue Eugène Dayot – 97434 Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains Île de La Réunion Tél : +262 262 24 52 18 / +262 692 56 69 82 E-Mail : amiperepedro@yahoo.fr

The Antolojanahary field

ANNEX

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PROJECT DETAILS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIELD The field is located in a depression. It is bordered by walls or grandstands.

– The synthetic turf has reduced permeability.

– The clay ground has little permeability.

– In the event of rainstorms or heavy downpours, horizontal drainage is needed (water from the field + water from the grandstand) to prevent the zone from filling up with water.

The current slopes of the field are as follows: – Instead of a double 1% slope, there is a transversal slope of 1% and a 0.5% slope lengthwise.

LANDSCAPING AND INFRASTRUCTURE – Excavation: leveling and compacting of the foundation.

– Drainage layer of draining gravel of various grain sizes.

– Concrete edge on the two lengths between the ochre turf and the drainage path.

– Concrete edge behind the goal on the entry side.

– Sand box (jumping pit): 7 m x 2.75 m.

drainage work – A one meter wide drainage path in stabilized sand, gravel and with PVC 160 drain on the two lengths and in front of the grandstand to collect water from the field and the benches.

– A drainage ditch and a drain on the two widths – Two exit points + various inspection holes.

SYNTHETIC TURF The football field – Green synthetic turf, resistant to UV and intensive use.

Requirements for the turf – Resistant to UV rays and tropical conditions.

– Made for highly intensive use (+ 60 hours per week), the turf should last two to four years.

Level of quality – Training and football at the amateur, school, and club levels.

Padding the turf – Padded with 30 kg/m2 or 200 tons of local sand.

– Finished with rubber granulate.

– Permanent white delineation for an eleven player football field.

– Possibility of two delineations in blue or yellow dots crossways for an eight person game .

SYNTHETIC TURF The tracks (Safety Area) – Ochre synthetic turf.

Requirements for the turf – Resistant to UV rays and foot traffic.

– Made for an athletic and jogging track.

Level of quality – Training in athleticism and jogging for school use.

Padding the turf – 30 kg/m2 or 50 to 60 tons of local white sand.

– Possibility of adding rubber for additional flexibility.

– The permanent white delineation for the straight line (5 lanes of 1.2 meters).

The jogging track – No delineation on the two widths and the opposite length.

Images ---------------------------------------------------------------------------01 – Example of an accredited football field in synthetic turf.

02 – Construction of a field. Creating drainage.

03 – Construction of a field. Leveling. [ Photos: source AHC

Graphic and visual design: Monsieur Eric © 2019. – www.monsieur-eric.com

This brochure was created with the support of the Akamasoa Center in Antolojanahary. www.perepedro-akamasoa.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Association « Les Amis du Père Pedro » 26 bis rue Eugène Dayot – 97434 Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains Île de La Réunion Tél : +262 262 24 52 18 / +262 692 56 69 82 E-Mail : amiperepedro@yahoo.fr