Madagascar School Project

Toonie Twinning is a unique project based on the concept of "children helping children". It is made possible by the fact that $2.00, an amount Candian children may receive in allowance for chores completed around the house, is enough to pay for a Malagasy child's education.

Here's how it works

• Your child, (or you on their behalf), will choose to twin with a Malagasy child about the same age as themselves (perhaps even the same birthday making them 'twins').
• Your child twin will recieve a photo of the Madagascar twin and a small hand-crafted box in which to collect a toonie each week. The boxes are crafed in Madagascar from raphia or ox-horn.
• Your Canadian twin will write a letter introducing themself to their new Malagasy twin and include a photo of themself. This initial letter will be taken or mailed to Madagascar, translated and read to the children being sponsored.
• The Malagasy twin will then write back (with the help of an interpreter) and that letter will be returned by MSP workers returning from Madagascar, or sent directly to your home through the mail.

It is hoped that friendships will develop through this pen-pal approach, lasting throughout your child's and the Malagasy child's education. In the very near future, the internet will be available for children to manage their own communication.

Payment. As your child passes on to you his/her 4 loonies a month, you may opt for Pre-Authorized Debit of $8 per month from your bank account, or send us a cheque annually or at your convenience.

A form to the sign up for Pre-Authorized Debit is available. Download the Toonie Twinning sign up form (PDF).

Let us hope that empathy will flourish through these efforts - that a new generation of globally minded children will grow up conscious of the great opportunities that their lives afford them, and willing to reach across oceans and cultures to share their good fortune and love with another.