Avotra
The association / NGO Avotra is currently managed by Richard Rahajason, Founding President and Managing Director of Avotra. His wife, Bako Rahajason, a doctor by profession, who is today with the Lord, contributed enormously in the medical, psychological, and spiritual help of sick children and families in distress. To honor Bako’s memory and to perpetuate this precious legacy, his family created a foundation intended to cover, totally or partially, the medical needs of sick children from poor families (external patients), with the collaboration of our volunteer doctors: “The Children’s Refuge”.
Your contribution is welcome
Background
The AVOTRA Association was officially born in February 1979 in Antananarivo thanks to the commitment of young Christians wishing to live their faith on a daily basis. The registered office was in the premises of a furniture manufacturing company, made available by the Director of the Company.
The 3 Missions of the Association are based on the biblical verses below, sources of inspiration and guides for future actions.
First Mission : Announce the Gospel, according to Acts 20, 24
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Second Mision : Rescue and rehabilitate people in distress according to Isaiah 58, 6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness[a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. “
Third Mission : Pray for the authorities according to Jeremiah 1, 10
“See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and pull down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
From the beginning, the first center called “SALEMA Center” was managed within the same headquarters: Offices, dormitory, refectory, chapel, medical practice, pharmacy…
In 1983, the second called “BETANIA Center”, located 17 km north of the city, was a gift from a Christian. It was an abandoned property of 3Ha. The vocation assigned to this Center was to continue the rehabilitation of people formerly in distress, from the SALEMA Center.
In 1989, the entire SALEMA Center had to be transferred to a rental villa, located at the western exit of the city.
In 1991, an agreement between the AVOTRA Association and USAID enabled the acquisition of a surface area of 9,000 m2 located at the northern exit of the city. It also allowed the construction of a complete and rational infrastructure to become the new AVOTRA SALEMA Center.
At the same time, the AEMs of Switzerland and Germany collaborated to financially support the construction and equipment of the beautiful and spacious AVOTRA SALEMA Chapel, the lung of the spiritual life of the Association.
In 1991, Avotra acquired, not far from Betania, a perimeter of 7 ha for rice growing and fish farming. The EDF generously founded it (European Development Fund).
In 1998, AVOTRA bought an old property of 2 Ha on which it built a school for the children of the center and the village.
In 2008, in order to comply with the regulations in force, the Association had to split into two entities, autonomous on the statutory and financial level. However, their cohabitation was essential and possible because their attributions and their activities, although different, are necessarily interdependent. Moreover, the Christian faith unites them naturally and unfailingly.
These two new entities are!
AVOTRA association, owner of the legacy and responsible for all spiritual activities, including two AVOTRA evangelical radio stations, one on the island of Nosy Be (in the N-W of the country) and the other in Vohipeno (in the S-E).