{"id":4264,"date":"2024-09-19T20:14:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T20:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/natioradefenders.org\/?p=4264"},"modified":"2025-01-14T06:39:40","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T06:39:40","slug":"roger-samba-le-pere-des-lmma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/natioradefenders.org\/en\/roger-samba-le-pere-des-lmma\/","title":{"rendered":"Roger SAMBA \u2013 The father of LMMA"},"content":{"rendered":"
The small village of Andavadoaka lies in the southern part of Madagascar. That's where the Vezo tribe lives. They are ocean experts. Fishing is something they learned from their parents and grandparents. Unfortunately, the community has no choice but to be vocal about a crucial problem negatively impacting their lives. What is it about? The destruction of the marine ecosystem.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
Meet Samba Roger, a 49-year-old teacher and ocean defender based in Andavadoaka. His passion for marine conservation started at an early age. \"Dad loved gardens, so he'd take us to plant trees. He showed us how to care for the earth since we were little,\" he said. But school made me care even more. I joined \"Club Vintsy\" - a nature club for kids - and learned all about protecting the environment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
After he finished school, he knew what he wanted to do: teach and be a leader. He witnessed the ocean his ancestors lived by becoming a nightmare. He couldn't just stand by silently. \"The ocean's dying,\" he said, his voice heavy with sadness. \"All this pollution, the destruction, just hurts to see.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
Feeling lost, the community wasn't sure what to do or who to turn to for help. That's when Samba decided to take charge and speak up for everyone. He contacted organizations like Blue Ventures, IHSM, and WCS, rallying their support. In 2004, with their help, he launched a successful \"Octopus Reserve\" at Anosifasy. \nSamba's success caught the attention of the government. They invited him to a national workshop in 2005 to share his expertise.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
His passion inspired other members of the community to join the conservation movement. From 2006 to 2016, the community elected him as president of the Association Velondriake in Andavadoaka. Then, he built Madagascar's first community-run marine reserve, the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA). Recognized for his leadership, Samba received the prestigious Paul Getty Prize in 2008, highlighting the importance of ocean protection.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
Samba believes \"a true ocean defender actively cares for and protects the ocean's fragile ecosystems.\" He manages Velondriake, a massive marine reserve, with a deep sense of responsibility on his shoulders. The reserve covers 33 villages across three zones, each with its leaders. They work together in a spirit of cooperation to protect vital marine life: octopuses, fish, seagrass, mangroves, and coral reefs. Their approach is creative, combining traditional community efforts with innovative ideas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
He makes the community understand and demonstrates that a healthy ocean means more fish to catch and a livelihood that won't run out. In case of disagreement, he prefers direct communication.
He understands the importance of empathy, of listening to real concerns to find solutions together. That's why active listening is so important to him. \"To change the mentality of a small village, you have to create a space where people can express their thoughts and listen to the solutions they propose,\" adds Samba.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Thanks to Samba's passion as a leader, Velondriake is a model for others. Protecting the ocean goes together with making a living for the community. The Association Velondriake stands as a symbol of dedication. They have made progress, especially in eco-tourism, but it's just the beginning of a long road.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
To add a fun note, we asked Samba, \"What ocean creature would you be?\" Samba smiled and said, \"I want to be a whale or dolphin. I love how they keep the ocean clean and safe.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
People didn't always trust Samba as their leader. He testified, \"It was tough to get everyone in the community behind me. But the best leaders do more than talk.\" Some spread rumors, and it made him feel down. But Samba wouldn't give up. Samba actively showed everyone that his ideas were for the community's benefit. It took time, but eventually, people saw the value in his plans. They realized his work benefited them, and he often did it for free.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Big dreams come with big fights. Protecting the marine ecosystem is not different. \"I realized that when I started protecting the ocean,\" confessed Samba. Some people kept harming it, ignoring the rules we made to keep it healthy. Samba's heart ached for Velondriake, the ocean group he loved. They were in trouble \u2013 no money, people stealing fish, and nobody could stop them. So, in 2023, Samba jumped back in as president. He wouldn't let their mission fail. It made him mad, but quitting wasn't an option.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
Velondriake has done amazing things, but they have even bigger plans. They need extra money to hire more guards to keep an eye on the protected areas and stop illegal fishing. More money would also be a big help for teaching. They'd teach neighbors and tourists how to how to protect the ocean the right way. Samba thinks working with businesses could bring visitors who love nature and help the local economy. They're always looking for new people to join them in this mission.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The Vezo people once lived in harmony with the ocean. Then things changed. Pollution made the sea dirty and people caught too many fish, leaving almost none behind.
They were worried and afraid. They didn't know what would happen to their ocean. Fortunately, Samba became their leader. Together, they began to put things right. They brought happiness back to the village.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
Now, their biggest problem is financial funds and equipment. They can't keep doing this great work without some help. With you, they can do even more. Right now, they walk long distances in the hot sun to get where they need to go. With money, they could afford an easier way to travel. They could also afford computers to teach people about protecting the ocean, learn more online themselves, and share their work with the world. Help protect the sea, the Vezo people's way of life, and our planet's future by donating.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t