“There was one of two things I had right to: liberty or death. If I could not have one, I would have the other for no man should take me alive” – Harriet Tubman. Known as a “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was enslaved, but she escaped and helped others gain their freedom.

Thanksgiving: one of America’s most important celebrations

Thanksgiving – one of the most famous celebrations in America – is a national holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. It is an occasion for family to gather for reunions and festivities in the home around bountiful dinners. This year, Thanksgiving will be observed tomorrow.

Last February, five Madagascan companies – two from the textile sector and three from the accessories and handicrafts sector – attended the Sourcing at MAGIC trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The summer edition of this year should have taken place last August. However, due to the Covid situation, the well-known trade event will go fully digital from September, 15 to December, 15.

SOURCING AT MAGIC FEBRUARY 2020.

Congratulations to the 5 Malagasy companies who exhibited at the Sourcing at MAGIC trade show in Las Vegas on Feb 4-7

Madagascar was well represented during the Sourcing at MAGIC trade show which happened in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Feb 4-7, 2020. The delegation - made up of 5 Malagasy companies and the AmCham staff - was present at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center during the four days of exhibition. 31 countries participated in this highly important international trade event; and the Malagasy artisan booth was told to be one of the most beautiful ones at Sourcing. Congratulations to the 5 companies for their courage, positiveness and perseverance during the whole show. Now it is time to do a follow-up with your new customers and partners!

WE MUST HARNESS OUR POTENTIALS TO REDUCE THE BARRIERS TO EDUCATION IN MADAGASCAR AND ACROSS AFRICA .

By Ravel Notoavina, Mandela Washington Fellow 2018, Co-founder and School Director of Ayhay, Quality Education Activist

Happy Education Day! The International Day of Education is celebrated on January 24 every year. It is important to celebrate since the role of education is to bring global peace and sustainable development around the world. Education is the foundation of development. It is the tool to eradicate poverty today and tomorrow. We must therefore harness our potentials to reduce the barriers to education in Madagascar and across Africa.

The country’s Education Sector Plan (ESP) for 2018–2022 seems bold and credible to improve quality (learning), access, and governance (World Bank Madagascar Basic Education Support Project (P160442). However, there are various barriers to education that we must tackle as soon as possible in Madagascar. More so than anything else, there is a vicious cycle that we must fight together: the lack of quality education is the root cause of poverty, and poverty is the primary barrier to education.

AmCham Holidays Get Together 2019 at Dzama Cocktail Café Ivandry.

Tapas, drinks, gift exchanges, dance... We really enjoyed the time spent with AmCham members and friends last Friday.

Warm thanks to:
- Dzama Cocktail Café, host and partner of the event;
- Ethiopian Airlines Madagascar Ethiopian Airlines, official carrier of Malagasy participants to Sourcing at MAGIC trade show in Las Vegas;
- Groupe Filatex Groupe Filatex for the gifts; and
- Vision Madagascar - ViMa, charter and sponsoring member, and Madagascar Oil, sponsor of AmCham.

AmCham wishes everyone HAPPY HOLIDAYS!