Velondriake seeks to improve the education of its children, as it is currently one of the least educated regions of the Madagascar: less than 70% of the local Vezo population complete primary school, less than 20% complete secondary school. Drop out rates are high due to an inability to pay school-related expenses and school fees.

The future of Velondriake's sustainable natural resource management plan depends on an educated population who can understand marine ecosystems and pursue a range of coastal livelihoods beyond fishing. Blue Ventures therefore provides scholarships funded through web-based donations for students within Velondriake to attend primary, middle and high school, and even university. The scholarships include tuition fees, uniforms, stationery and textbooks. Additional initiatives include mentoring, tutoring, housing stipends and meal plans to ensure that all students are adequately supported to reach their full potential.

Please visit http://blueventures.org/our-approach/school-scholarships.html for more details about Velondriake's school scholarships programme.

Monday 10 September 2012, Jeju, South Korea.

Original artwork by Malagasy Artist, Nady Ratsimbazafy depicting the Jeju convention center and traditional fishing vessels from represented countries.

Local leaders from around the globe showcased inspirational community-based approaches to marine conservation at the World Conservation Congress on the island of Jeju, South Korea. These pioneers lead Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) in all corners of the world and hail from diverse countries including Fiji, Kenya, Madagascar, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica and India.