Looking for friends from the Amporaha camp in Nosy Be

Hi everyone,

Yep, it's over—I'm already back in the Paris area! I brought back a nasty flu from Nosy Be!. Apologies to anyone who tried to reach me by phone, but I haven’t had a working mobile for about ten days.

Dominic (so glad we finally talked on the phone!) and Fabien, welcome to the club!.

Have a great day, everyone. In the photo, our little flotilla. (But of course I rowed all the way back!!!)

Hello, I discovered your site, then this forum... moving... and then I saw myself in a photo by Philippe Guillotin on your site... very, very moving. I’m Dominic Campillo, son of Marcel (Chief Warrant Officer, flight mechanic at BA 181) and Simone (a teacher at the base), and the older brother of Fabien and Robin. We lived in Tana from 1969 to 1971, first in a housing estate near Lake Ambohibao, then in a villa on the base. The ESCA, Nosy-Bé, the Comoros, the nautical club on Lake Ambohibao, Antsirabé, etc... I’m happy to relive all these wonderful moments with you. I’ll be posting photos from that era soon. I currently live in Aix-en-Provence and Barcelona. I founded a communications agency and an art sales site. I have two kids, Martin, 18, and Victor, 15. Veloma.

* Hey Juankaplan, I’m Bruno Lataste. I was in Tana at the same time as you (’69–’72), after having lived there as a kid between ’59–’60. We were in a villa on the base, and I attended ESCA for two years (4th and 3rd grade). I’ve had the chance to return to the places (Tana, Nosy-Bé, Mantasoa, etc.) many times since. I’ve lived on Réunion since 1991 and go back to Madagascar regularly. In fact, I’m leaving tomorrow for a week in SAINTE MARIE—whale watching, beaches, walks, etc. I’m especially eager for photos from that era (like everyone else), and I’m really looking forward to yours. Veloma. I’ll probably post some photos of Sainte MARIE on the forum or the site (you must know the address?). Bruno

Hello Muriel, and hello to everyone on this forum.

If you registered on this site, it’s because you knew Ivato BA 181, Tana’s schools (ESACA, Jules Ferry, Galliéni, Rabe, Ampéfilo, etc.), Nosy Be, and Amporaha... We all share at least one connection—a memory to share—and a unique contact, Francis. I agree with Muriel and her idea of a subscription. How many of us are on this forum? 150, maybe even 300, including those who’ve reconnected through Francis’s site. So, to help develop this little eco-village, we can make a community gesture. The families who’ve already stepped up: the Tavels (Mrs. Tavel) and their daughters M-F and Nini, the Grevisses (Mr. and Mrs. Grevisse) and their son Christian... who’ve also reached out to their four children (even though they don’t know Madagascar yet—they’ve heard us talk about it so much, with so much joy and fond memories, that they said, "We’re in, and one day we’ll go!"). So, how many more will join? I hope as many as possible—and as quickly as you all respond to posts on this forum!!! No matter the amount... what matters is contributing to this effort. We all know where the total will go, and one day, each of us can see it for ourselves.

Warm regards to all, Zoma

Thank you for your supportive message. The CRUCHOU family joined you, of course—mom, brother, and my kids too, whom I’ve been immersing in the waters of Nosy Be since they were little. Today, it’s great to help those who welcomed us and allowed us to have such amazing moments, especially when they lack even the most basic things we take for granted! A trip there like the one I had last month really puts things into perspective. I’m available, along with Zoma, to talk more about it.

Sending you hugs, Mumu

I wanted to respond positively, but a postal address would be necessary. Could you please provide contact details?

Best regards, Bernard

Yes Bernard, I know you replied quickly, immediately even! I sent you an email but you must not have received it.... I gave you my contact details: my address: Muriel CRUCHOU 6 villa d'Arcueil 92170 VANVES my email address: lamumucruchou@hotmail.fr I’ll give you my phone number so we can talk. I’ll be back in Paris on August 2nd. Cheers

Hi Bruno. On http://www.facebook.com/dominic.campillo I posted a class photo from 3ème at Esca where you can be found. Best regards. Dominic

Thanks Bernard! I received your letter and contribution today. 🙂 Brigitte COURTOIS-VELY has generously joined us... 😇 Just a little more effort and the village that’s not accessible by road will feel less isolated... See you soon, Muriel

Hey there! We share the same memories! Were you part of the soccer team with my brother Gérald, the Guillotin brothers, the Mayor brothers, Serge Maurin, etc.? If so, I’ve got an awesome photo of you all! I can send it to you whenever you want! See you soon

Yes, I was part of that team. You can send it to me even in high resolution at dcampillo@bazart.com. Ciao Dominic

Hello everyone, Last weekend, Mumu gave me the envelope regarding the subscription she launched: http://www.ivato-nosybe.com/forumivato/mcp.php?i=main&mode=post_details&f=24&p=365 . Or here: http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5289627#5289627 A huge thank you to all the generous donors! This will be a huge help to the association, and believe me, this money will go where it’s needed! Thanks again, and have a great evening everyone.

PS: Regarding our site http://www.ivato-nosybe.com/forumivato/index.php, especially its forum, I’m looking for anyone who can help me improve it and make it at least clearer by rephrasing the titles, subtitles, topics, etc. I admit this isn’t my area at all—so much so that when I tried to post the above text on our site, I got lost myself 😕. So, from my pirogue (it’s still easier to manage 😉), I’m sending out an SOS to anyone who’d like to help me restructure our site.

Good evening everyone, I wish you all the best for this new year, 2013. Good health and may all your wishes and plans come true. Happy New Year! Francis the Nosy-Be local

All my best to you too! And especially thanks for letting me reconnect virtually with Bernard and all the friends from the Ivato group (61-62) ...such emotional moments!

If I go back to Madagascar, I’ll let you know!

Best,

Jomartinique

Good evening everyone, I wish you all the best for this year 2013. Good health and may your wishes and plans come true. Happy New Year!. Francis the Nosy-Bean

Francis and to all the members of the friends of Amporaha camp in Nosy-Be, I send you all my best wishes for the new year, hoping that this year will bring your dreams to life. Health, happiness, and a little money never hurts! Yves😎

To all former Ivato and Amporaha campers: Happy New Year 2013!!! Henri.

Now it’s my turn to wish all of you a very happy 2013, full of joy and happiness—and why not sprinkled with a return to those lands we visited some years ago.

Short message for jomartinique: I think you’re Joëlle Houzé. If that’s the case, drop me a message at patrick(dot)tarbes(at)wanadoo(dot)fr, and I can send you one or two photos you’re in!

Best wishes to everyone,

Patrick

Happy New Year Lenosybeen and to all the former members of Amporaha camp in Nosy Be. Thank you for welcoming us for unforgettable holidays during our stay in Madagascar from 1963 to 1967. My husband was head of the veterinary and biological service for zone 3; besides meat campaigns for the French army, he oversaw the food supply for the three armed forces, and as a result, we were invited to the Nosy Be air force camp.

In return, I invite you to check out my Madagascar photo albums, which will bring back wonderful memories. http://www.photosdailleurs.fr/al_Madagascar/album0.html

Good evening Takacoser, Thanks for these photos and memories... You can register on our site to see photos from members of your era—there are quite a few. Don’t forget that our site is reserved for all those who knew or were close to IVATO BA 181, near or far, as well as their friends and families.

I’ll take this opportunity to announce the launch of my association’s website in Nosy-Bé: http://www.les-piroguiers.com/ It’s not quite finished or fully active yet, but it’s online. For those looking for vacations with direct contact with locals or off-the-beaten-path experiences...

Have a great evening, everyone! Le nosy-béen

Good evening Francis, I visited the Amporaha camp in Nosy-Be when I was a teenager. My father was Gilbert Guilland, chief medical officer at Air Base 181 in Ivato and a lieutenant colonel—back in 1964–65–66–67. My mother was Yvonne Guilland, my brothers were Yves and Jean-Louis, and my sister was Pascale. We lived in a villa at the far end of the base. I had a neighbor my age named Yannick Bodoko—I had a friend whose father was a paratrooper commander named Claude Rhilac, and I met a young soldier in Nosy-Be named Eric Oré. (I’m not sure about the spelling.) I have wonderful memories of the camp, and reading the messages brought back so many memories—and a few tears.

I returned to Madagascar, where I had the chance to visit the Ivato base, accompanied by an armed guard. I saw the villa we used to live in again. So many emotions, of course.

If anyone could tell me about the people I mentioned above (even family members), it would mean the world to me.

Thanks for everything, Francis, and see you soon.

Good evening, Welcome to the Françoise club (Ciska34)! So happy you’re joining us! Of course I remember your family, especially your parents, by the way. There are a few photos of your family on our site ivato-nosybe.com, under: Members' photos, which your brother sent us. Sign up and by looking through all the photos, you’ll travel even more... back in time. I haven’t heard from your brother in a while. Feel free to contact me privately if you’d like—my email address is at the bottom anyway. Best wishes to you and your whole family, and see you soon! Francis, the Nosy-Be local Anyway, this photo is gorgeous