Who knew one computer would not only change the lives of a Bellefonte couple forever, but also the lives of thousands of people nearly 9,000 miles away?
That’s exactly what happened seven years ago when Sandratra and Lance Kerr helped to get a computer system to one of Sandratra’s relatives in her native country of Madagascar.
Madagascar is roughly the size of Texas, and it is defined as the fifth poorest country in the world. The island nation is located off the east coast of southern Africa and has a population of about 22 million people. Most residents rely on fishing and farming as their source of income; however, many enter the dangerous and unregulated mining field to earn a living.
Sandratra came to the United States in 2000. She was born into a diplomatic family, and financial worry wasn’t an issue during her young life.
‘I came here to find a new life,’ she said. ‘I wanted to see more of the world, and the opportunity became available to me.’
She said once she arrived in the states, ‘life took over.’
‘I got busy with this and that, and doing a lot of inward thinking,’ she said. ‘With God’s help, I started looking at more things in the world than just in my life.’
A few years after moving stateside, she met her husband, Lance, and in 2007, they were married.
‘Getting married to my wonderful husband grounded me even further,’ she said. ‘God was showing me my way in life, and I was following.’
In 2009, Sandratra received the call that would change her life. It was from a cousin in Madagascar who wanted to start a freelance computer business, but did not have the hardware to open it. The Kerrs immediately help. They were able to acquire a computer and send it overseas.
‘I think that’s when it really hit me,’ she said. ‘Lance and I realized we couldn’t do it for just one family. We knew we had to help as many people as we could. From that point on, I was determined. I told Lance that helping people would be my life.’
The couple became immersed in the ins and outs of creating a nonprofit organization, and after clearing all the red tape, Echoes of Madagascar was officially registered as not-for-profit. For the next two years, the group would raise funding to send to needy communities in Madagascar, as well as use that funding to purchase specific needs.
With the help from Sandratra’s business degree, the Kerrs were able to use returned tax money to fund their first-ever mission trip in 2012.
‘We really didn’t know what to expect,’ Sandratra said. ‘We wanted to go there and help, but we weren’t prepared for all the challenges. Things we take for granted here, like drinkable water, is a challenge for people there. Some people have to walk 2 miles or more just to get a few buckets of water to carry back. It’s heartbreaking.’
Each mission trip is designed to assist a particular village or community. She said when they arrive, they take a look at the needs of the community as well as the resources and talents of people there to determine what projects should be taken care of. She said building community centers are an important part of each mission, as they provide libraries, computer labs, workshop and training rooms, guest rooms, conference rooms and a community hall.
‘We want to help the people as much as we can, but we also want to teach them how to help themselves,’ she said. ‘In some communities, we need to build education centers. Other places need trees replanted. Most all communities need something done with their water supplies. We work with the local governments to determine exactly what’s best for everyone.’
After three years of heavy fundraising and mission work, the Kerrs decided to take a break in 2013 to spend more family time together. They couple have two children.
‘I decided we needed a break,’ she said. ‘Things just became overwhelming. I spent the year studying the Bible, and, by year’s end, I was ready to get back to work helping the Malagasy people.’
In May 2014, Sandratra was diagnosed with lupus. Unfortunately, she was scheduled to leave for a mission trip a month later. She went anyway.
‘Faith carried me through,’ she said. ‘I definitely wasn’t feeling 100 percent, but I felt God wanted me to be there.’
The Kerrs most recent trip to Madagascar came in November 2015. There, they experienced the effects of heavy rains on the unmaintained dirt roads leading to their destination. A normal 12-hour trip took 30 hours.
‘The village we went to had no power and no running water,’ Lance said. ‘When I first got to the village the kids would run away from me due to the fact that they have never seen a white person before. We visited one of the poorest family’s house in the village and at least 12 people lived there, in a 4-by-4 area. The kids sleep on a dirt floor, which gets wet during the rainy season. The conditions were truly deplorable. I’m glad God gives us the good fortune to be able to help these people.’
Although there are no current mission trips planned, the Kerrs continue to raise funds in anticipation of their next philanthropy. Periodically, throughout the year, the couple holds a ‘Taste of Madagascar Night’ at First Community Church along Benner Pike. These meals include traditional American fare, as well as exotic taste influences from the island country.
‘People like a different type of food sometimes, and they seem to like what we serve,’ said Sandratra. ‘We hold these events occasionally, and they are posted on our group’s website.”
In addition, the Kerrs will also cater events for parties, events and get-togethers.
‘We don’t do it for profit,’ she said. ‘We only charge the customer the material price of the food. If they would like to give a donation, that is where we get the money to help our cause. We don’t ask for anything, though.’
The couple has catered several local events, including a 700-person gathering in Altoona recently, as well as the 2014 wedding of Steven and Erin Thor.
‘God really gave this couple a gift,’ Steven told Centre County Gazette. ‘They were very professional and the food was amazing. There were still people in the wedding party talking about it three weeks after it was over.’
There are a number of ways to help the organization. Monetary donations can be made through the website, www.echoesofmadagascar.org. Also, Malagasy art can be purchased through the website. Residents can also donate gently used cellphones, computers, laptops, cameras, projectors and microphones.
For more information, visit the company’s website, call (814) 201-7444 or email echoesofmadagascar@gmail.com.
