Madagascar -- The Great Green Jewel of an island off the southeast coast of Africa. With a population of 18.5 million people, a rain forest 80% denuded, a per capita income of one dollar a day, this country faces tremendous struggles. And with 70% of its flora and fauna endemic -- existing nowhere else on the planet -- it's vitally important that they survive, that they regrow their forest, that they develop at the same time. The people need to live. How do you develop sustainably? How do you convince people that slash-and-burn agriculture is a short term solution leading to long term devastation?

Today's gallery is a small selection of photos taken by Bill Sonnenschein (my husband) during his recent two-month stay there. Bill is working with the Malagasy government as a special advisor to that country's president in leadership and communication -- helping with environmental issues, development issues, and women's issues.

This is one of three Madagascar galleries "Faces of Madagascar," "Places of Madagascar," and "Animals of Madagascar (coming soon)."

This gallery, "Places of Madagascar," focuses on the places Bill encountered in his travels through the North and South.

Lemurs and tortoises and geckos coming soon!