from Emma Ashley

After much preparation and practice (ahem!) by volunteers and staff, Blue Ventures performed a play entitled ‘Mampiasa Kapoty’ to the village of Andavadoaka on Saturday 7th June. The theme of the play was to highlight the importance of wearing condoms for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as for family planning and spacing. This issue is particularly important, as the demographic structure of Andava is very typical for a developing country with 60% of the population consisting of children compared to 40% adults.

Anticipation was running high as we changed into our costumes, with the general theme being girls dressing as boys and vice versa. The cross-dressing proved very popular with the audience. The play involved a variety of characters from different walks of life deciding whether or not they would embrace the use of condoms. If they decided they would, Captain Kapoty permitted them to board the pirogue on route to Nosy Hao where they would have safe passage from the infections lurking the STI infested waters. However, if they decided that there was no need to use condoms they would be subject to the foul creatures in the sea. Hence, they would never arrive safely at the island and would not have a long and prosperous life.

The STIs were introduced at the beginning of the play, which included Chlamydia Crab, CIDA Shark, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis played by Al, Vic, Becks and Georgie respectively. Their scary costumes, make up and general terrifying demeanour certainly scared the children at the front of the audience, as well as a few old ladies at the back!

As the play developed, the doctor and nurse characters played by Mira and Emma made an entrance onto the stage. The medics delivered a strong message stating the importance of condom use and were therefore allowed to embark upon the pirogue. A range of other characters came onto the stage one by one and decided their fate. These included Dan dressed as a pregnant lady, Karim as a prostitute, Jen and Gaia as fishermen, Satu as a cool teenager and Kamila as a businessman. The pirogue then commenced its journey to the island of Nosy Hao leaving behind Kamila and Gaia to fend for themselves against the nasty STIs. On arrival at Nosy Hao, the passengers greatly thanked Captain Kapoty for protecting them and disembarked the pirogue to complete their life journey. This was followed by an overwhelming round of applause by everyone.

Following on from the play, the BV volunteers and staff provided several forms of entertainment for the audience. This included James, one of the BV Malagsy staff, performing a song he composed about using condoms. Jen then sang an Italian Opera piece which certainly astounded the village (and a lot of the BV staff too!). Finally we performed a Salsa style dance routine with a finale of several back flips by Emma, all of which was much appreciated.

We believe our message was positively received by the entire village, especially in the following days with many of the children from the village emulating our characters. The village are now preparing their own plays concerning family planning and condom use. This will hopefully culminate in a competition between several groups, and expedition 38 will keep you updated!

by Jen Sanders

Now this is a story all about how you will learn fish in Nosy Cao,
I’d like to take a minute so sit for a bit, so I can tell you ’bout the Groupers and the Sweetlips.

At the bottom of the reef is where Groupers are raised, their playground; it’s where they spend most of their days,
Chilling out and hunting for some fish for their tea, the kind that you find at the bottom of the sea.

We’ll start with the biggest, the potato of course, it’s been known to swim at humans and show no remorse,
It’s grey with black blotches and has huge teeth, so you can’t miss this one because he’s a beast.

The next in line is the Lyre-Tail, which is by far the brightest grouper and has a yellow margined tail.
Now as the name suggests, the “White-Spotted Grouper”: it’s brown with white spots which is really super.

Blue margins on fins is how you see, the marbled grouper in time for tea.
But let’s not forget the Coral Hind, it’s orange with blue spots and has an inquisitive mind.

The Peacock is the smallest of the Groupers to know, with its brightly coloured fins it really is a show.

Now the Sweetlips really are a different story, they sleep in the day which is really boring. But they have big lips and long D fins, and they look really cool when they swim.

Of all the Sweetlips there’s just four to know, so there’s no excuse for letting them go.
We’ll start with the White Barred as its easy for you, it’s black with white stripes but has a white tummy too.

Next we have the Dusky one, all you need to think of is a setting sun.
It’s mainly grey with a bit of pink, as Dusky is the name you don’t need to think.

The last of the Sweetlips are the spotted types, there’s the Black and the Gold but they’re not that alike.
The Gold Spotted has a wide body, with, yes, you’ve guessed it, white spots to see.

We’ll end now with the Black Spotted Sweetlips, the clue’s in the name, but I’ll give you a tip.
On its yellow fins it has black spots, as well as on it’s body, which is white, IT ROCKS.

Thank you for listening to my rap, I hope it didn’t make you need a nap!