Rivo!  Rivosoa Nasoloniaia, petanquespilleren fra Madagaskar som flere enn meg sikkert har gode minner fra både på og utenfor banen, har forespurt lille meg om jeg kan hjelpe ham. Han appellerer om hjelp til alle oss i miljøet. Syklonregn i hjemtraktene skaper problemer for ham:

Solidarity Appeal – Urgent situation due to the cyclone season in Madagascar

Dear colleagues, sports friends, and friends from the diaspora,

I am writing to you today to kindly ask for your solidarity in a very difficult situation caused by the current cyclone season in Madagascar.

As many of you may know, Madagascar is hit by several cyclones every year (at least three per year). The cyclone season has just started, bringing extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds.

In the High Plateau region, where I live, the main risk comes from intense rainfall causing landslides, which seriously damage infrastructures and homes.

Last year (see photo 1 in 2025), the fence of our courtyard collapsed due to heavy rains. This courtyard is located in the backside area of our property, more than two meters higher than the neighboring houses, and it is also where I train and practice pétanque.

Due to limited financial resources, we were only able to put in place a temporary solution: a shallow foundation made of two rows of stone blocks, with cement bags filled with soil stacked on top to prevent further landslides.

Unfortunately, as you can see in the photo 2 taken in 2026, this temporary structure is now failing. The foundation is weakening and the cement bags are deteriorating. With the first cyclone having started yesterday, we are facing an urgent risk of another collapse.

Several colleagues and building professionals whom I consulted strongly advised that urgent repairs are necessary. If the landslide continues, it could eventually reach the foundation of our house.

The recommended long-term solution is to:

dig a foundation at least 80 cm deep,

build a solid stone foundation,

and continue with a stone retaining wall up to about 2 meters above ground level.

This is a safe and durable solution, but unfortunately it is very expensive for us, even though the costs will be shared with our neighbor.

For this reason, I am humbly reaching out to friends and colleagues who may be willing to help.

Any contribution, small or big, would be deeply appreciated.

I would like to mention also that, if some of you all my petanque friends in Norway would one day like to spend your holidays in Madagascar or participate in pétanque tournaments here in the petanque Land to improve your skills, I would be very happy to offer you free accommodation at my home if you like.

Regarding the contributions you can be sent to Rune Solevåg, who will forward them to me through PAYSEND to my phone.

For anyone who wishes, transparent reports on the use of the funds will be provided.

We are currently experiencing continuous and heavy rainfall, with real concerns about landslide risks. Your support, in any form, can truly make a difference.

Thank you very much in advance for your solidarity, kindness, and friendship.

Warm regards,

Rivo