Celebrate Father's Day with CPALI

With Father's Day approaching, we’re celebrating the amazing fathers on the team in Madagascar!  Join us in honoring Tsoly and all the farmers, artisans and technicians who deliver conservation through poverty alleviation. Give a special gift today.

Photo credit: Matthew Scott

About Tsoly

Tsoly leads natural plant dye and invasive plant-derived biochar production at the SEPALI Madagascar artisans' workshop. He also trains local farmers in rearing methods for endemic silk worms.

Tsoly began work as a gardener two afternoons per week to earn money for his school fees. A year later, he joined the team full-time.

Tsoly met his wife at the artisans' workshop. Today, they have two children who are eight years old and two years old. Tsoly supports his family on the salary that he earns. His hard work and eternally positive attitude are an inspiration to all.

Team biochar

Under CPALI's Local Innovations Initiative, Tsoly coordinates the production of biochar bricks from invasive water hyacinth that clogs local waterways. This helps clear rivers and shorelines while delivering an alternative source of fuel.

Photo credit: Rachel Kramer/CPALI

Distilling natural dyes

Tsoly has mastered techniques for producing natural dyes from local materials, such as wild lichens, native tree leaves, and nato bark. These natural dyes are used to color wild silk and raffia for textiles created by the artisan team for Tanana Madagascar.

The team decided that boiling materials in the natural dyeing process consumed unacceptably high quantities of firewood and charcoal. So they used a pilot grant from CPALI to design special stoves that run on biochar bricks made from invasive plants. The stoves are equipped with chimneys to channel smoke away from Tsoly--an improvement over traditional stove design.

Photo credit: Rachel Kramer/CPALI

Rearing caterpillars

Last month, Antherina suraka silk moths laid eggs in special rearing baskets in the SEPALI Madagascar demonstration garden. When the little ones emerged, they were transferred to native talandoha trees by Tsoly and the team. They were netted for protection from parasites and predators.

This month, the caterpillars are large enough to move onto new host trees. Soon, they'll spin precious silk cocoons, emerge as beautiful wild moths, and the cycle will begin again.

Tsoly trains local farmers on larvae rearing and handling methods to maximize production and reduce predation and parasitism in their rainforest habitat. Trained farmers collect and sell the silk cocoons without harming the chrysalises inside. This system incentivizes the restoration of native trees in degraded landscapes.

Video credit: Lalaina Raharindimby/SEPALI Madagascar

Honor Tsoly and all on the team who deliver conservation through poverty alleviation in northeastern Madagascar by making a special

gift this Father's Day! We're so grateful for your support.

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