Ambalafenomby -

the place where there are forest and cattle - is the original paternal home of our family. Approx. 465 km south of the capital Antananarivo, 20 km north-west of the provincial capital Fianarantsoa in the highlands. The village consists of a collection of houses for around 250 - 300 inhabitants built in the traditional adobe style. Together with about 10 other settlements, it forms the administrative unit "Fokotany Ambalamasoa".

The village can only be reached with an all-terrain vehicle, there is no electricity or water supply. Before the now total deforestation, the inhabitants lived from the cultivation of the forest, now as self-sufficient from cattle breeding and from rice cultivation.

Our family's country house and - more importantly for a Malagasy - the family tomb are located on the territory of the village.