Ida Nathoo and Morocco Ambassador's wife in Madagascar
The Wednesday Morning Group (WMG) is a social and philanthropic membership based organization comprised of women and men from the local and international communities.
In addition to providing a social space for women and men from all over the world, the group also provides assistance to local community projects. The WMG is considered an French-speaking Club, however the language needs of non-French speakers are accommodated when possible.
Regular monthly activities are our monthly coffee mornings which take place the each Wednesday, where we usually have a speaker-, newcomers coffee mornings, our monthly lunch, cultural and welfare outings in Antananarivo. Different groups are created on voluntary basis and differ each year. These activities are free for members however open to non-members for a small fee. All are welcome!
The Club by-laws state the WMG’s purpose as:
To support organizations of any religious or non religious groups, by providing material, assistance or whatever is needed.
To develop slowly but steady permanent actions to improve the quality of life of the beneficiaries.
To offer a friendly structure of collaboration with the International Community; with the Malagasy ladies and the wives of Diplomats and expats based in Madagascar.
Wednesday Morning Group members are mostly Malagasy and expatriates based in Madagascar. It also includes members from local business, academic, artistic, social, government and international circles. It is a good networking and support space for people and can add value to any newcomer or resident of the city!
History
From left to right : Ginette ANDRIANTSITOHAINA and Mireille RAJAONARY
The WEDNESDAY MORNING GROUP was created in 1963 by a group of diplomatic women from the American Embassy of Madagascar.
Their goal was to organize their charitable activities and help the most needed population, for which they invited Malagasy women.
The first organisation that received their assistance was Les Paulins de Bel Air orphanage, managed by Miss Beury, a French national, and hosted at the time 80 orphans. After that, they helped the Creche de FIHAONANA, managed by a Swiss citizen, that took care of 60 children.
This organisation was located 50 km away from Antananarivo, posing an important challenge for the group to assess their needs and procure the help. With time, the help requests for aid from different organisations became numerous, and the Group decided to organize their first fundraising luncheon at the American Residence. The event was a success, and allowed the WMG to be publicly known as well as initiate its fundraising activities. Soon after, the first Christmas Bazaar was organized, and the event was presided over Madagascar’s First Lady, Mme. Justine Tsiranana.
In 1972, the WMG and its statutes were overhauled as per the demands of Ambassadors wives, adding International Group of Madagascar to its name. The WMG has an Honorary President, Mme Ginette ANDRIANTSITOHAINA, who was a founder member of the initial WMG in 1963, and the first Malagasy participant to be appointed as president.
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Report: Jeannot Ramambazafy and Harilala Randrianarison