March 30, 2005: Headlines: COS - Madagascar: Sun-Sentinel.com: Peter Balasky said he will be traveling to different villages, where he intends to deliver the packages personally and hand over items to Peace Corps volunteers
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March 30, 2005: Headlines: COS - Madagascar: Sun-Sentinel.com: Peter Balasky said he will be traveling to different villages, where he intends to deliver the packages personally and hand over items to Peace Corps volunteers
Peter Balasky said he will be traveling to different villages, where he intends to deliver the packages personally and hand over items to Peace Corps volunteers
Peter Balasky said he will be traveling to different villages, where he intends to deliver the packages personally and hand over items to Peace Corps volunteers
Pines Charter School students, vet help needy in Madagascar
By Beth Feinstein-Bartl
Special Correspondent
Posted March 30 2005
When Peter Balasky leaves Thursday for his annual trip to Madagascar, he will be carrying an extra suitcase.
The added piece of luggage will be necessary because Balasky intends to fill it with care packages from students at the Pembroke Pines Charter School's central campus.
The items, including letters, crayons and pencils, will be distributed to children who live in Madagascar's rain forest region, said Balasky, a veterinarian who owns Balasky Animal Hospital in Davie.
Balasky said he will be traveling to different villages, where he intends to deliver the packages personally and hand over items to Peace Corps volunteers.
Catherine Madec, who teaches civics and geography to sixth- and seventh graders at the charter school, said the care packages are a great learning experience.
"We're trying to make connections," she said. "Part of teaching civics is teaching civic responsibility. It's important they understand the value of reaching out to people."
Madec began donating toothbrushes to Balasky two years ago when she learned of his trips to Madagascar, a 1,000-mile-long island with 17 million people off the southeast coast of Africa.
"I inquired about the pictures he had in his office," said Madec, a Davie resident who takes her pets to Balasky's animal hospital. "We began talking about the living conditions in the country."
In August, when Madec joined Pembroke Pines Charter School, she saw an opportunity to turn Balasky's trip into a schoolwide project. It began in late February. Most of the items collected have either been handmade or purchased by teachers and students in the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grades, she said.
"Our main focus is on pen pal letters that the students have been writing," Madec said. "I've gotten 150 so far, and I'm expecting more."
The students also created posters, maps and collages. Others made flash cards with pictures and words in Malagasy, the language of Madagascar, she said.
The care packages also contain store-bought items such as crayons, paper and pencils.
"It's just the little things we take for granted here in our classroom setting," Madec said.
Balasky, who plans to stay a month in Madagascar, said he is moved by what the students and teachers have done.
"I think it's wonderful," he said. "It's beneficial for the students on this end to be exposed to another culture."
Balasky began visiting Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, four years ago. His first time was as a volunteer for Earth Watch, an international conservation organization.
As part of his trip with Earth Watch, Balasky said he helped capture and put a radio collar on a fossa, an animal that is a cross between a mongoose and a mountain lion and is the largest carnivore in Madagascar.
Balasky fell in love with the island's people and culture and has been returning on his own ever since. On each trip, he said, he travels through rain forests, staying in bungalows, native huts and tents.
"It's the most exotic place," Balasky said. "It's very peaceful. The standard of living is lower than a Third World country, yet they have enough to eat and are quite industrious."
On past trips, Balasky said he would carry 500 to 1,000 toothbrushes.
"I wanted to bring something that would have a lasting effect on the children," he said. "I noticed that when they reached 12 to 14 years old, their teeth would begin deteriorating."
This is the first time Balasky is bringing educational materials from the Pembroke Pines Charter School, he said.
When Balasky returns home, Madec said she plans to invite him to speak to the students and show photos of his trip.
"I want the students, parents and teachers to see how their efforts made an impact," Madec said.
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Story Source: Sun-Sentinel.com
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Madagascar
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