Destination Fort Dauphin: Confirmed
Today, I was able to purchase tickets from Antananarivo, the capitol of Madagascar, to Fort Dauphin, a city located in the extreme south of the island. Fort Dauphin, alternately known as Tolanaro, Tolagnaro and Taolagnaro, is a regional capitol, recognized for its beauty and economic promise. On my return flight to Antananarivo, I will have a layover in Tulear, another city I wanted to visit.
Countryside near Fort Dauphin.
I choose to visit and research Fort Dauphin for the following reasons:
1. It could serve as a launching point for mission outreach into the vast unreached surrounding areas. My research has indicated hundreds of thousands of rural Malagasy living in the isolated and nearly impenetrable regions surrounding the area. This is the most compelling reason for me to consider Fort Dauphin as a location for future ministry. Here is a sampling of the tribes that live in and around the region. The official status of each of these groups is “unreached.”
- The Antandroy (”People of the Thorns”). Population: 930,000
- The Antanosy (”People of the Island”). Population: 513,000
- The Mahafaly (”Those Who Make Taboos”). Population: 309,000
2. It has the potential for incredible population growth. Fort Dauphin, once a pirate haunt, is now a growing city. Construction on a new port and planned foreign investment into the mining industry may cause the city to mushroom.
3. There is virtually no Bible-teaching ministry in the area. Although it is one of Madagascar’s major cities, Fort Dauphin has next to nothing in the way of gospel-preaching ministry. I have heard that there may be a Christian church and Keren has some contact information for some missionaries who formerly ministered in this city. I am researching these leads.
Aerial view of the Fort Dauphin area
I will be visiting this city solo, and will spend three days there. Please pray that God would
- Allow me to find a believing interpreter
- Provide transportation into the bush villages via truck or motorcycle
- Give me wisdom to evaluate the need of Fort Dauphin and its potential as a doorway to surrounding areas
- Help me to locate any evangelical ministries, if present
Airport at Fort Dauphin
Greetings, Daniel.
I am a college student hoping to study abroad in Madagascar. Bless you in your efforts there!
Do you know much of the SIT program?
Thank you for the beautiful photos, and for your time.
~Becca
Best wishes in your studies, Becca. I am aware of the SIT program, but don’t know much about it. Will you be in Tana?
my wife and i were missionaries to madagascar from 1995 to 1998. We planted a church in Antananarivo and a bible school too. They are both doing very well till now. we always have great passion for mission in madagascar.
Our next step is also Forte dauphin, it is exciting while brousing tonight to find you on the net.
We are currently based in pretoria but have a passion for madagacar.
It will be nice to meet with you in the nearest future.
May the Lord prosper your mission and grant grace unto you with divine favour and supplies without measure.
Be blessed!
Rev. Austin
My son Graham has recently arrived in Fort Dauphin and is working with the Canadian company Hatch on the ilmenite mine there. I would love for him to find other Christians in Fort Dauphin as he will be there at least until the end of the year.
This is great. I am researching this country and thiese photos are very informing.