We started out from the Mission to reach a very isolated village in the Anjabaky region in the south of Madagascar. Our goal was to distribute food and school materials to the poor families in this area. The journey lasted about 12 hours, and during this time, we were afraid of the bandits, who are common in the south and operate at night. When we finally arrived the next day, we were greeted by some obviously anxious and frightened villagers. They were relieved to see us, and when we asked them why they were so scared, they replied. 'Just thirty minutes ago, we were attacked by dahalo (bandits). They were armed and they terrorized our village: threatening our women and children. Three bandits managed to escape, but we caught one, and the elder had him tied up and his eyes were gauged out. This is our way of meting out punishment.'

We were terrified listening to the horrible details. 'We were worried that you had run into the bandits on the way to our village,' they continued. 'You must leave before dark.' We hurriedly distributed the goods we had brought with us, thanking God that we had reached unharmed. They in turn ordered us to leave the area as soon as possible. The bandits were unscrupulous and dangerous in these lonely rural areas. When we asked the locals why they continued to live in these tough, isolated areas, cut off from roads and exposed to various dangers, they replied, 'We do not dare to abandon the land of our ancestors because we believe their spirits will curse us if we leave.'

Matina Kuvoussi