Forests for the future – Reforestation marks international event

‘Today, we plant trees, but we also plant hope. The hope of a greener Madagascar, preserved nature, sustainable agriculture and a future where the forest and man coexist in harmony.’

Representatives of Money for Madagascar and six of our partner organisations have planted 600 trees in an event to mark the International Day of Forests.

MfM CEO Lova Rasoalinoro said she hoped the planting could be: ‘Another step towards a sustainable future for our country.’

The International Day of Forests, a global event held this year on Friday 21 March 2025, is an opportunity for people around the world to pause, and consider the beauty and necessity of the world’s forests for life as we know it, be it plant or animal, including humans.

And it is a day on which Money for Madagascar – whose Resilient Forests and Livelihoods programme, which helps Malagasy people improve their lives and livelihoods and protect and expand the forests upon which we all rely, is at the heart of its ideas, initiatives and activity – both celebrates and acts.

Today, Money for Madagascar organised a reforestation activity in the Fokotany of Ambohimatsinjo, in the Analamanga region of Antananarivo province.

The site is one of three where MfM works with partner organisation Working together for the Development of Madagascar (WtdM) and representatives of MfM and WtdM were joined there by members of the Green Tree Association, Association Miarintsoa, Ankizy Gasy, and the AAF and AAA-B children’s centres – a total of 41 people – to plant the 600 trees.

Speaking at the event, which was also attended by the Mayor of the Commune of Ambohimanambola and the Chief of Ambohimahatsinjo Fokontany, Ms. Rasoalinoro said: ‘Forests play a very important role in our condition and survival, which is how they must be treated, and so, protected.

‘Planting a tree means giving new life to our land, it means offering a greener future to future generations.

‘Money for Madagascar, in collaboration with its partners, works in the field of livelihoods and resilient forests.

‘Our objective is clear: to help people living around forests and protected areas to develop sustainable activities so that they are no longer forced to resort to deforestation and bush fires.

‘We know that these practices are among the greatest threats to our environment. That’s why we offer concrete and viable solutions to improve the livelihoods of local people while preserving the forests that are so precious to us.

‘The reforestation we are carrying out today is not just a symbolic gesture. It is a demonstration of our determination to act in favour of the environment.

‘Today, we plant trees, but we also plant hope. The hope of a greener Madagascar, preserved nature, sustainable agriculture and a future where the forest and man coexist in harmony.’

To learn more about Money for Madagascar’s work helping Malagasy communities improve lives and livelihoods, and protect forests and wildlife, click here.

To read the speech made by Lova Rasoalinoro in full, click here.