a ripple or a wave?

I’ve been meaning to write, I really have. and today I was going to, ‘a day in the life’ on board the africa mercy was my plan, but right now that’s going to have to wait. because it feels wrong to write about what an average day looks like, when in reality it is far from an average day.

it is unlikely to have made international news, but across the past few days, throughout madagascar, there have been large protests against the government. the people are protesting across the country against ongoing water and electricity cuts, and corruption within the government.

and I don’t blame them for wanting these basic human rights.

when we talk with our day crew about their country, about their futures, they all comment on how they would like to leave here for a better life. how they have dreams to move overseas. and when you prompt them as to why, they all respond the same. “because the government is corrupt here and nothing will change that”.

but what began as a peaceful protest from the people for better living conditions and hopes for their country, has unfortunately turned into chaos.

suburbs have been burning and businesses looted, a curfew has been put in place in multiple cities (including toamasina) and the military have been deployed to respond with violence. tear gas, bullets, you name it.

we sent our day crew colleagues home early yesterday for the fear of them getting caught in the violence. and this morning we were messaged about the noises of guns surrounding their homes, stores being burnt and innocent people being caught in the crossfire.

the city has been eerily quiet today.

the road along the foreshore, which is normally brimming with people selling food from their stalls, tuktuks beeping their horns, and kids playing soccer or swimming, is empty.

and while we are all safe, currently in lockdown indefinitely on the ship, for a lot of our colleagues from madagascar, this is not the case.

it is unclear currently, if this is a ripple of protests or a new wave of civil unrest within the country.

so if I can ask one thing from you all today, it’s that whatever your faith or spirituality or hope for the world looks like, that you say a prayer or thought for the people of madagascar.

for safety. for peace. for a better future.

big love always,

mads

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