Soa Zara means “equal share” or “balanced”.
Soa Zara means “equal share” or “balanced”.
About us
Soa Zara was founded in 2016 due to the fatal effects of a forest fire and the generally increasing desertification in the Ihorombe/Isalo region. Since then, the association has primarily been working to counter desertification. In the years that followed, more and more projects followed. The main objectives were now extended to a broader range of themes:
With the inclusion of tourism, the activities were extended to the international level. The cooperation with the government, already ongoing since 2017, was intensified in 2022 and resulted in the declaration of intent to plant 1.000.000 trees per year as from 2025.
We work with a lot of love and passion at all levels to preserve the island paradise!
We work with a lot of love and passion at all levels to preserve the island paradise!
What we do
Nature
Apart from global warming, the main reason for desertification is the indiscriminate cutting of trees for charcoal, firewood and timber.
When the forests disappear, the water level in the rivers drops to such an extent that once large rivers become only small streams and the smaller streams dry up completely in winter. As crops on the agricultural land impoverished by erosion and desiccation become less and less profitable, more and more forests have to be cut down to be converted into arable land. The abandoned farmland is left to erosion.
Desertification and the loss of forests threaten Madagascar’s unique biodiversity.
People
As a result of the deforestation of whole swathes of land, the population is ultimately becoming increasingly poor.
Children are no longer sent to school because of the lack of money, and the level of education is falling.
Child marriages, domestic violence and sexual abuse are widespread. Malnutrition and a low level of hygiene due to lack of water promote diseases.
Water bodies
Animals
Kata lemurs are caught illegally and end up as pets or bushmeat. Often lemurs are injured or even die during their capture or transport because they are not given food and water for several days or have been tied to rival lemurs. Domesticated lemurs are generally uninjured but malnourished because they have been given unsuitable food. They have also lost the ability to find or recognize their natural food.
We depend on any kind of support!
We depend on any kind of support!
What you can do
Smaller items such as office, surveillance or medical material, which you can carry in your luggage, may be handed over to us upon arrival/departure in Antanarivo or directly to us in Ranohira. The donation page lists the materials currently needed. Please contact us by email if you have any questions about this and/or you need help with domestic shipping.
For larger items that cannot be dropped off in person and must be shipped, we should be notified in advance.
In addition to sponsoring trees and actively planting them when you visit our region, you can also donate directly to our projects through this website. Choose your favorite project (Not yet possible at the moment) or let us decide which project currently needs the most support. Every amount flows directly into the projects. Administrative and other costs are met through work efforts in general and from income generated by the ITC Lodge.
Delina and Jacob and all others who run and support the Association Soa Zara do so as volunteers. The local employees who perform the work on site receive a salary that is at least equal to the national standard.
For the moment donations can be made to our own account in Madagascar or through our partner Tany Maitso in France.
During the months of December to March, people who would like to spend their time in Madagascar doing physical work in agriculture can actively support our work. Whether it’s an extension of your vacation, a commitment to the environment, an interest in people or animals, or even to add skills like responsibility and adventure to your resume. We are looking forward to meeting you.
Please write to us in time so that we can look for the best solution.
Contact
Lets get in touch!
Mailing address
Association Soa Zara
BP 17 Ranohira
Ihosy 313, Madagascar
Web: www.soazara.org
Email: info@soazara.org
Email: soazaramadagascar@gmail.com
Phone: +261 (0)34 72 116 06 (English, Dutch)
Phone: +261 (0)34 17 850 44 (Malagasy, French)